Businesses that install, repair or alter boilers and pressure vessels (BPV), fittings and associated piping systems are required to hold a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from TSSA or another Canadian jurisdiction. A COA allows companies from Ontario and around the world to manufacture pressure-retaining items for use in Ontario.
If the boiler and pressure vessel, fitting or piping that your company plans to manufacture for use in Ontario is not exempt from Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, your company is required to obtain a COA before manufacturing the item.
Companies in Ontario manufacturing boilers, pressure vessels, fitting and piping need to meet the following requirements:
Canadian Registration Number (CRN)
Manufacturers need to obtain a CRN for each boiler, pressure vessel, fitting and piping system that they are manufacturing. For more information about the CRN and how to obtain it, please visit About the Canadian Registration Number (CRN)
Welding & Brazing
Manufacturers of BPVs, fitting and piping need to register welding or brazing procedures and hold a welding certificate issued by TSSA. A welding certificate is issued to the individual who completed and passed a test observed by an inspector. The certificate authorizes a welder to weld pressure-boundary components that are regulated by Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels
For more information on registering welding or brazing procedures, visit Welding or Brazing Procedure Registration & Personnel Qualification.
Certificate of Authorization (COA)
A COA allows companies from Ontario and around the world to manufacture pressure-retaining items for use in Ontario. If the pressure-retaining item your company plans to manufacture for use in Ontario is not exempt from the Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, your company is required to obtain a COA before manufacturing the item.
Before a company begins to manufacture, install, repair or alter a boiler, pressure vessel, piping system or fitting, it must provide a Quality Program Manual, undergo an audit and provide a demonstration item to demonstrate adequate controls for the activities stated in its Quality Program Manual. Deficiencies found during the audit must be addressed before TSSA issues a COA. A company is authorized to begin work once it has passed the audit.
For more information on the COA and Quality Program, visit Certificate of Authorization (COA).
Inspections
Boilers and Pressure Vessels
If the pressure-retaining item that your company plans to manufacture for use in Ontario is not exempt from inspection per the Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, a TSSA inspector may be required to inspect the item. To schedule an inspection, please see the Schedule An Inspection webpage or contact TSSA’s inspection scheduling team at:
Phone: 1-833-937-8772 or
Piping Systems
Pressure piping systems must be designed and installed according to applicable codes and standards such as CSA-B51 and CSA-B52. Authorization from your local BPV inspector is needed before manufacturing or installing pressure piping.
A voluntary, alternate piping inspection process made available since May 1, 2023, allows qualified piping contractors to inspect eligible piping systems and complete an “Alternate Piping Data Form” as an alternative to a TSSA inspection. A piping contractor must meet all of the requirements detailed in the Alternate Process for Pressure Piping Inspection advisory (pdf). The alternate process applies only to certain piping systems fabricated and installed in Ontario.
For technical questions, contact bpvcustomerservice@tssa.org.