Every owner and operator of a boiler, pressure vessel (BPV), fitting or piping system must operate their BPVs and associated equipment safely and keep them in safe working condition per Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, Section 3(3).
Here’s what you need to do if you are a BPV equipment owner in Ontario:
Hire A Certified Contractor
Businesses that install, repair or alter BPVs 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 pressure-retaining item 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.
To access the list of companies that hold a COA, please click on the link Find a Certificate of Authorization Holder.
Register BPV Equipment:
Owners and operators of boilers, pressure vessels and piping systems are responsible for ensuring that they use equipment with a Canadian Registration Number (CRN) for Ontario.
Boilers & Pressure Vessels: Owners and operators need to ensure the BPV they purchase is registered with a CRN. They must not buy a non-registered BPV and try to get it registered.
Piping: As piping systems are specific to operational needs, piping will need to be manufactured to meet client specifications. For information on how to register your piping system, please follow the applicable guidelines below and submit the required documents:
To find out if your boiler or pressure vessel equipment is regulated, see Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, Section 2(2)
Book a First Inspection to Get a Certificate of Inspection (COI)
Individuals and businesses who own BPVs regulated under Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels must have a valid Certificate of Inspection (COI) for each boiler or pressure vessel they own or operate. A COI is required to operate a BPV device legally.
Owners and operators of a BPV device must arrange a first inspection before operation. To obtain a COI, a TSSA inspector must conduct a first inspection. TSSA will issue a COI to the owner of a BPV that has passed a first inspection. For more information on booking a first inspection, visit Schedule an Inspection.
Undergo Periodic Inspections to Renew COI
The BPV device that you own or operate must be inspected for the life of the device to ensure compliance with existing safety standards. Your device must pass a periodic inspection before you can renew your COI which has a validity period of 12, 24 or 36 months:
Table 1 Periodic Inspection Intervals
| Type of Boiler or Pressure Vessel | Frequency of Inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Deaerator | 1 Year |
| B | High Pressure Boiler | 1 Year |
| C | Low Pressure Boiler | 2 Years |
| D | Pressure Vessel | 3 Years |
| E | Pressure Vessel Fitted with Quick-Opening Door | 1 Year |
You can also check the expiry date on your current COI.
For additional notes on periodic inspections, please refer to section 5.2 of the BPV Safety Program Code Adoption Document, Ref No.: BPV-20-01 R1 (pdf).
If your company has dedicated boiler and machinery insurance coverage for your regulated device(s), you need to arrange for an inspection with your insurance company 60 days before the expiry date published on the existing COI.
If your company does not have dedicated boiler and machinery insurance coverage for your regulated device(s), request a periodic inspection from TSSA at least 60 days before your COI expires by completing the BPV Inspection Request Form (pdf) and providing details for the “Periodic” inspection field. Submit the completed form to inspectionscheduling@tssa.org.
For more information on scheduling a periodic inspection to renew a COI, visit Boilers & Pressure Vessels Certificate of Inspection.
BPV Owners Must Resolve High-Risk Violations Found During Periodic Inspections
Boiler and pressure vessel (BPV) owners must shut down devices with high-risk violations if any were found during a periodic inspection. High-risk violations must be resolved before a Certificate of Inspection (COI) can be issued. It is illegal to operate a BPV device without a valid COI.
Insurance companies and third-party inspectors are required to report 20 violations found during BPV periodic inspections to TSSA through the Client Portal. This process will enable TSSA to collect, track, and analyze data on high-risk devices that could pose elevated risks to public safety. The information gathered will help TSSA:
• Improve safety performance tracking
• Identify and understand risk trends and emerging issues
• Strengthen public safety outcomes
For details, please see:
- Flowchart on the responsibilities of BPV owners, insurance companies or third-party inspectors for BPVs requiring periodic inspections.
- Director’s Order: Insurers to Report 20 Listed Violations Through a Single Records of Inspection Submission
High-Risk Violations
Certain violations are classified as high-risk and require immediate compliance. If any high-risk violations are found during a periodic inspection, TSSA will issue a shutdown order and notify owners to take immediate action to resolve all high-risk violations before a COI can be issued. The reporting insurer will also receive the shutdown order. BPV owners must take the following actions if high-risk violations are found:
• Shut down the device
• Resolve all high-risk violations. If needed, contact a qualified contractor to resolve all high-risk violations
• Inform the insurance company or third-party inspector when all high-risk violations have been resolved
After a BPV owner has resolved all high-risk violations:
• The insurance company or third-party inspector will submit the ROI and indicate high-risk violations have been resolved on the Client Portal.
• The BPV owner approves, pays for and downloads the COI.
- Click to see the list of high-risk violations
• The safety relief device is inoperable.
• The safety relief device is missing.
• The safety relief device’s pressure setting is incorrect.
• The low water cutoff/flow sensing device is inoperable.
• The low water cutoff/flow sensing device is missing.
• The low water cutoff/flow sensing device is improperly installed.
• Level Indicators (Gage Glasses, Bulls Eyes and Fiber Opticals) are inoperable.
• Level Indicators (Gage Glasses, Bulls Eyes and Fiber Opticals) are missing.
• Pressure-retaining items (e.g. Boiler, Expansion Tanks) have been improperly repaired or altered.
• Pressure-retaining items (e.g. Boiler, Expansion Tanks) have material flaws impairing their safe operation (e.g. corrosion, cracks)
• A pressure-retaining item is inoperable or being used in an unsafe manner.
Other Reportable or Code Violations
If other reportable or code violations are found during a BPV periodic inspection, the insurance company or third-party inspector will:
• Issue an inspection report specifying the violations and compliance timeframe to the BPV owner
• Submit the ROI on Client Portal and indicate other reportable or code violations
• BPV owners can proceed to approve and pay for the ROI, but they must resolve violations within the insurer’s specified timeframe and recommendations
- Click to see the list of other reportable or Code violations
• The safety relief device is improperly installed.
• The safety relief device is not set to the correct capacity.
• The safety relief device is missing its nameplate or is illegible.
• The pressure control is inoperable.
• The pressure control is missing.
• The temperature control/high-limit device is inoperable.
• The temperature control/high-limit device is missing.
• The pressure/temperature indicator is inoperable.
• The pressure/temperature indicator is missing.
No Violations
If no violations are found, the insurance company or third-party inspector will submit the ROI on the Client Portal for the owner to approve, pay for and download the COI.
If a BPV owner changes an insurance company
The BPV owner must update the insurer information on the Client Portal. Once updated, the new insurer will have visibility to that inventory and its violations.
Decommissioned BPVs with Violations
The BPV owner needs to submit the Permanent Removal of BPV from Operation or Use form.
Remove BPV Equipment
BPV owners and operators who want to remove a BPV from operation should use the Permanent Removal of Boilers and Pressure Vessels from Operation or Use form to notify TSSA about removing a BPV from service at the current plant location. Please refer to page two of the form for instructions.
Submit the completed form to TSSA via email to licencingandregistration@tssa.org or mail it to the address below:
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Boilers and Pressure Vessels Safety Program
345 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
All licensees of TSSA are responsible for keeping their contact information up to date. Licensees must also update information that is pertinent to the authorization of their device. Please see Update Your Information and Change of Ownership for details on how to update changes to business information or ownership.
Resources on BPV COI Portal for Owners
Log into the BPV COI Portal for Owners to watch a BPV COI Portal for Owners resources on how to use the portal.
Refer to the Owner or Operator Portal Training Documentation
Read Frequently Asked Questions on the BPV COI Portal for Owners