Reporting & Inspection Requirements for Existing Agricultural Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Beginning July 1, 2021, owners and operators of existing agricultural boilers and pressure vessels (BPVs) should report their devices to TSSA.   

This news bulletin — the latest in a series of communications from TSSA — outlines the reporting process and the inspection roles of TSSA and insurers of agricultural BPV equipment and their associated piping systems when the change in safety laws comes into effect as a result of the regulatory exemption that was previously in place for this equipment being revoked.  

• The June 30 news bulletin shared the link to the online reporting form.
• The June 4, 2021 communication focused on what owners and operators of existing equipment need to do to comply with safety laws when repairing, altering, upgrading and/or replacing their devices.
• The April 29, 2021 communication outlined the regulatory requirements for newly installed equipment that falls within O. Reg. 220/01.

REPORTING EQUIPMENT

Owners and operators of agricultural operations should report their BPV equipment to TSSA by completing an online form within 90 days by September 30, 2021.

TSSA will use the form to collect information on existing devices in the province and do a risk-based assessment (based on the type of device, its location and insurance coverage) to establish a priority list for scheduling first inspections over five years.

FIRST INSPECTION BY TSSA

Sites evaluated as high risk will be prioritized for a first inspection. TSSA will notify owners one month before the scheduled first inspection takes place. Owners who need to reschedule the first inspection can do so by contacting inspectionscheduling@tssa.org or 1-833-937-8772 (or 1-833-WFP-TSSA)

TSSA will issue a Certificate of Inspection (COI) for every boiler or pressure vessel that has completed the first inspection. The type of device will determine the validity period of the COI issued, which ranges from one to three years. The fee for the first inspection is $365 per device, and the issuance of a COI costs $96.

PERIODIC INSPECTIONS BY INSURERS OR TSSA

After completing the first inspection, periodic inspections will continue for the life of the device at set intervals as outlined in TSSA’s Code Adoption Document. Insurers should continue performing periodic inspections as they have been doing, but there is no need to submit a Record of Inspection (ROI) until the COI from the first inspection is close to expiry.

OVERVIEW OF INSPECTIONS

REPAIR INSPECTIONS 

Repairs include any work that is required to restore a BPV to a safe operating condition that does not deviate from the original design.  

For BPVs with Equipment Breakdown insurance: Owners or operators are advised to contact their insurer to perform the repair inspection.  

For BPVs without Equipment Breakdown insurance: TSSA will perform the repair inspection.

Companies performing repairs are required to have a Certificate of Authorization from TSSA or another Canadian jurisdiction. Companies with a National Board Certificate of Authorization (“R” stamp) are also acceptable, provided all National Board requirements are included.

Before starting any repair work, owners and operators are advised to contact their local TSSA BPV inspector or insurance inspector to ensure that all technical and regulatory requirements are met.  

ALTERATION INSPECTIONS

Alterations are any changes to a BPV that deviate from the original design and require design calculations that could affect pressure-containing capability. (Examples include an increase in the maximum allowable working pressure (internal or external), increasing the design temperature of pressure-retaining equipment, or adding a nozzle or piping). Alterations require an engineering review.

TSSA will perform all alteration inspections. A new COI will be issued upon completing the alteration inspection.  Insurers are not to perform alteration inspections.

All alterations require design registration with the TSSA before starting the work. For more details, read Guidelines for Design Approval of Used and/or Altered BPVs. 

Review the application forms and instructions for applying to report a design electronically.  

Companies performing alterations are required to have a Certificate of Authorization from TSSA or another Canadian jurisdiction. Companies with a National Board Certificate of Authorization (“R” stamp) are also acceptable, if “alteration” is within their scope of work. 

Before starting any alteration work, contact your local TSSA BPV inspector to determine inspection requirements.

PIPING INSPECTIONS

TSSA will perform all piping inspections not exempted within Section 2 of O. Reg. 220/01. Insurers will not perform new, repair or alteration inspections on piping systems.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Every owner of a device is responsible for maintaining and operating their pressure equipment safely and immediately reporting to the TSSA any incidents that cause injury, death or property damage. In case of an incident, report to the Spills Action Centre (open 24/7) at 1-800-268-6060 or 416-325-3000.

TSSA will continue to work with agricultural partners to implement the new regulatory requirements. We will also collaborate with insurers of agricultural BPV equipment to ensure a smooth transition from TSSA’s first inspection to periodic inspections by insurers as applicable.

For more information on TSSA BPV regulatory requirements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit www.tssa.org. Interested parties may subscribe for updates at Agricultural Operations – Boilers and Pressure Equipment. Questions may be directed to: agriculture.bpv@tssa.org.

About TSSA

Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services includes public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement and prosecution activities.