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, 2021 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.
INSTALLATION INSPECTION BY TSSA
Sites evaluated as high risk will be prioritized for an installation inspection. TSSA will notify owners one month before the scheduled installation inspection takes place. Owners who need to reschedule the installation 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 installation 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 installation inspection is $365 per device, and the issuance of a COI costs $96.
PERIODIC INSPECTIONS BY INSURERS OR TSSA
After completing the installation 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.
Online form for owners and operators to report existing agricultural boilers and pressure vessels (BPVs) is now available.
Owners and operators of agricultural operations should report their BPV equipment by completing the online form on TSSA’s website starting July 1, 2021 when agricultural BPV equipment must comply with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000’s Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B51:19 Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code.
The deadline to submit the online form is September 30, 2021. TSSA will:
- Use the online form to collect information on existing devices in the province
- Do a risk-based assessment
- Establish a priority list for scheduling a first inspection over five years. Sites will be prioritized for a first inspection based on the type of device, its location and whether it is covered by insurance. Priority for a first inspection will be given to agricultural operations with high-risk sites.
- Notify you via email one month before the first inspection date. If you wish to reschedule the first inspection, contact inspectionscheduling@tssa.org or call 1-833-937-8772 (or 1–833–WFP-TSSA). TSSA will respond to questions sent to agriculture.bpv@tssa.org.
After September 30, any site not reported may have an additional cost to the owner.
This news bulletin is part of a series of communications on the revocation of agricultural exemption that took effect on July 1. Previous news bulletins focused on various aspects of O. Reg. 220/01 that covers two streams — new installations and existing BPV equipment:
- The June 4, 2021 communication focused on existing equipment that needs repair, alteration, upgrade and/or replacement starting July 1.
- The April 29, 2021 communication outlined the regulatory requirements for newly installed equipment that falls within O. Reg. 220/01.
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.
Following TSSA’s April 29, 2021 communication outlining the regulatory requirements for newly installed boilers and pressure equipment used for agricultural purposes that fall within the O. Reg. 220/01, this news bulletin explains what owners and operators of the following equipment need to do to comply with safety laws:
a) Existing, unregistered boilers and pressure vessels (BPV) that need repair, alteration, upgrading and/or replacement; and
b) their associated piping systems.
Effective July 1, 2021, all repairs and alterations of BPVs, fittings and piping used for agricultural purposes must comply with Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS
Repairs to BPVs
Repairs include any work that is required to restore a boiler or pressure vessel to a safe operating condition that does not deviate from the original design. If there is a deviation from the design, please refer to the “Alterations to BPVs” section below.
Companies performing repairs are required to have a Certificate of Authorization from TSSA or another Canadian jurisdiction. These companies are listed in TSSA’s business directory. Companies with a National Board Certificate of Authorization (“R” stamp) are also acceptable, provided all National Board requirements are included.
Repair inspection of BPVs with Mechanical Breakdown insurance
If your BPVs are covered by Mechanical Breakdown insurance, contact your insurer to perform the repair inspection.
Repair inspection of BPVs without Mechanical Breakdown insurance
Before starting any repair work, contact your local TSSA BPV inspector to ensure that all technical and regulatory requirements are met. View our BPV Inspector list to find an inspector in your area.
Alterations to BPVs
Alterations are any changes to a boiler or pressure vessel 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) or increasing the design temperature of pressure-retaining equipment.
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 submitting an application to register 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, provided all National Board requirements are included.
Before starting any alteration work, contact your local TSSA BPV inspector to determine inspection requirements. View our BPV Inspector list to locate an inspector in your area. All alteration inspections must be done by TSSA.
PIPING
Some piping systems are exempt from TSSA registration and inspection. Please contact BPV customer service to determine whether your piping system is exempt.
Repairs to Piping
Before repairing or fabricating any piping, contact your local TSSA BPV inspector to determine inspection requirements. View our BPV Inspector list to locate an inspector in your area.
Companies repairing piping are required to have a Certificate of Authorization from TSSA or another Canadian jurisdiction.
Alterations to Piping
New piping or additions to existing piping systems require design registration and inspection. Please see the design guidelines for details and review the application forms and the instructions for submitting an application electronically.
Companies installing piping are required to have a Certificate of Authorization from TSSA or another Canadian jurisdiction.
Before fabricating any piping, contact your local TSSA BPV inspector to ensure that all technical and regulatory requirements are met. View our BPV Inspector list to locate an inspector in your area.
INCIDENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Incident reporting is a key part of making Ontario a safe place to work, live and play. Reporting an incident protects the public and helps industries prevent future issues. For regulated industries, reporting an incident is the law. TSSA staff conduct investigations at the site of any boiler, pressure vessel, pressure piping or fitting incidents. We also provide support to other regulatory agencies when needed.
In case of an incident, report to the Spills Action Centre that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Toll-free, province-wide: 1-800-268-6060
Toronto-area: 416-325-3000
TTY: 1-855-889-5775
FURTHER UPDATES
TSSA is currently developing a plan, which will be phased in over five years, to bring into compliance all existing BPVs used for agricultural purposes that fall under the regulation as of July 1, 2021. The plan includes registering existing equipment through a form that will be released shortly. The information collected through the form will be used by TSSA to do a risk-based assessment and establish a priority list for scheduling inspections based on the type of device, its location and whether it is covered by insurance. More details will be available in the coming weeks when the form is released.
TSSA will continue to work collaboratively with agricultural partners to implement the new regulatory requirements, making sure that owners, operators and insurers of pressure equipment used for agricultural purposes understand the safety regulations and what they need to do to comply.
To find 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 include public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement and prosecution activities.
As Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week kicks off, safety experts reveal that approximately 65% of all CO injuries and deaths in Ontario continue to occur in homes. Most, if not all of these incidents, are preventable.
“With the onset of cold weather months comes the increased use of furnaces and fireplaces and outdoor heaters too. If not installed, inspected and maintained regularly, fuel-burning appliances can emit deadly levels of CO gas,” says Kelly Hart, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “Remember, it’s not just your furnace or fireplace. Many Ontario homes can have between 4-6 fuel-burning appliances. So, it’s important that folks be in the know when it comes to CO,” stresses Hart.
Take Action. Think Safe.
- Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually through the services of a TSSA-registered fuel contractor
- to find a TSSA-registered contractor near you use the Find A Registered Contractor listing.
- Install certified CO alarms in your home, regularly test them and replace in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction.
“Safety is a shared responsibility and by taking these actions we can lower CO risks in our homes,” adds Hart.
With the hope that multiple voices will bring greater impact to the message, TSSA continues to partner with local fire and emergency services and other safety-minded organizations to deliver critical CO safety information to residents in communities across Ontario.
Attached is a carbon monoxide FAQ.
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org
Contact:
Alexandra Campbell | Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Service
Technical Standards & Safety Authority
media@tssa.org
416-734-6227
At its 2023 Annual Public Meeting, TSSA celebrated safety achievements from the past fiscal year, provided an update on the organization’s modernization journey and outlined its future plans to complete its outcome-based regulator transformation.
During the meeting, RJ Falconi, Chair of the Board, talked about TSSA's collaborative work with the Ontario government and regulated industries to create safer environments for the public He also announced the appointment of new Board members, underscoring TSSA's commitment to governance excellence.
Bonnie Rose, President and CEO, outlined TSSA’s new vision, purpose, values and strategy that builds on the achievements of a well-executed Strategic Plan over the past six years. During her remarks, Bonnie took a moment to commend the dedicated TSSA team, who have been instrumental in delivering TSSA's successes to date.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of this year's Safety Awards 2023, honouring those organizations and individuals within TSSA’s regulated sectors that have worked tirelessly and creatively for a safer Ontario.
Watch this video recording of the live event.
Toronto, ON, August 31, 2023 – The Polar Express ride at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Midway has been given permission to be returned to service following an incident that occurred on August 28 that resulted in a rider being injured.
The ride remained shut down while TSSA conducted a thorough technical inspection of the ride. The inspection is complete and TSSA has confirmed that the Polar Express ride is safe to resume operation.
The investigation into the root cause of the incident is ongoing.
TSSA inspectors have been on-site daily since the incident occurred, with full cooperation from the ride operator, North American Midway Entertainment and the CNE as TSSA conducted inspections and gathered information relating to the incident. This is standard protocol following any reported incident related to amusement devices in the province of Ontario.
The ride had met safety requirements before it was allowed to operate initially and was found to be safe after TSSA’s inspection.
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers 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 include public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
Please be advised that we had been experiencing technical difficulties with our customer service phone system for the past two days. We’re pleased to report that the phone system is back on line, though customers may experience longer than normal wait times due to the recent outage.
If you would like to submit an inquiry by email, please email us at customerservices@tssa.org. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the system being down and appreciate your patience.
Working Together for a Safer Ontario Today and Tomorrow
April 12, 2023 - The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) today released its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, with a renewed purpose to enhance safety in Ontario through engagement, evidence, enforcement and education.
Developed with input from a diverse group of stakeholders and key partners, the new Strategic Plan provides an overview of the priorities TSSA has established for the next five years and outlines what success will look like as the organization meets its future goals. Employee and stakeholder insights also helped to inform a redefined vision, purpose and set of values to guide TSSA’s strategy and actions.
The new Strategic Plan is a framework to guide decision making and keep the organization on course towards its overarching goals as it defines annual plans and objectives. Steered by the new Strategic Plan, TSSA’s efforts will focus on four key themes:
- Rewarding, Purpose-Driven Work – A place where employees feel valued and engaged in meaning work
- Outcome-Based Regulator – Finishing the transformation to an Outcome-Based Regulator
- Future Ready – Embracing new fields of safety work
- Ease of Doing Business – Customers and employees to work together seamlessly
These strategic themes represent four mutually reinforcing streams of activities that will collectively create ONE TSSA – a unified and collaborative organization that is among the most progressive and modern regulators in Canada.
Over the next five years, TSSA is going to advance technical safety oversight in Ontario, building on the solid foundation put in place to date. The organization is committed to continuing the changes underway and fully becoming an Outcome-Based Regulator. Having built up great momentum, TSSA is primed to take digitization and harmonization to the next level.
“TSSA has made tremendous achievements in the past few years with the implementation of a new business model which allows us to put a greater focus on harm reduction strategies and a new comprehensive IT business solution that provides us with trustworthy data and digital solutions to better serve our customers,” said Bonnie Rose, President and CEO, TSSA. “As our Outcome-Based Regulator journey continues, our focus for the next five years is to continue to use data and risk analysis to make Ontario safer for everyone.”
TSSA’s new Strategic Plan goes into effect on May 1, 2023, the start of TSSA’s fiscal year 2024. Explore the new plan and its reinforcing elements on the TSSA website.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has entered into contractual agreements with UL Solutions and Origin and Cause to support its inspection workforce in Fuels Safety Program while the organization addresses resource vacancies and a high volume of inspection requests.
Representatives from UL Solutions and Origin and Cause who have been appointed as inspectors under the Technical Standards and Safety Act have the legal authority to perform inspections on behalf of TSSA.
They are also required to present the following proof of identification prior to conducting inspections:
- A photo identification;
- A business card; and
- A signed Letter of Appointment indicating that they are authorized by TSSA to carry out inspections
Fuels Safety Program customers with questions or concerns can contact TSSA at Fuels_technical_services@tssa.org, or call the Customer Service at Centre at 1-877-682-8772.
Fuels Safety Program
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
TSSA’s new IT business solution supports and simplifies critical business functions
March 1, 2023
The third and final phase of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA) system upgrade was completed and went live on March 1, 2023.
The system upgrade introduces the following enhanced functionalities for customers of the Elevating and Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts (ED/AD Ski) Safety Program:
- Centralized Inspection Scheduling: Improves customer experience by providing one point of contact for scheduling inspections.
- Compliance Standards: Launched in tandem with the third phase of the system upgrade are Compliance Standards for elevators, escalators and ski lifts. Compliance Standards are a list of high-risk non-compliances which, if found on a periodic inspection, will result in a follow-up inspection by TSSA to ensure compliance. Compliance Standards also help device owners and operators better understand their safety priorities and identify items that may pose a high risk to public safety if not addressed immediately. Low- and medium-risk safety tasks will be documented on the inspection report and are expected to be addressed as part of regular equipment maintenance.
- New Format for Inspection Reports: Enhanced clarity in inspection reports across Safety Programs through the improved use of language and the display of orders and safety tasks based on the compliance time; and resolved orders (if any).
- Consolidation of Expiry Dates: Elevating and Ski Lift customers can request consolidated authorization expiry dates for all their elevating and ski-lift devices effective March 1, 2023.
- Enhanced Authorizations: Reinforcing TSSA’s Lapsed Authorizations Policy, the new system identifies customers with lapsed authorizations and sends notifications to remind customers that they cannot legally operate without a valid authorization (e.g. licences and registrations).
System Upgrade Supports TSSA’s Safety Mandate
The successful completion of the third phase of the system-upgrade project puts all TSSA’s Safety programs — ED/AD Ski, Fuels, Boilers and Pressure Vessels and Operating Engineers — on one integrated platform. The upgraded IT business solution further advances TSSA’s transformation into an Outcome-Based Regulator by modernizing its processes and systems and improving core functions.
Providing real-time trustworthy data that will serve as the foundation for informed, risk-based decision-making puts TSSA in a stronger position to improve safety in Ontario. The modern functionality also sets the stage for future self-serve options for TSSA’s customers.
Longer response times can be expected for a period after the upgraded system goes live on March 1, 2023.
For more information, please refer to the infographic below and the Customer FAQ.
Enhanced Functionalities for the Elevating & Amusement Devices
& Ski Lifts Safety Program
Centralized Inspection Scheduling
- Centralized Contact Point for Scheduling Inspections:
- Shifts inspection scheduling to a dedicated team of inspection-scheduling agents available during regular hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon- Fri) at 1-833-WFP-TSSA (1-833-937-8772) or EDADInspection@tssa.org.
- A minimum of 24 hours notice is required when rescheduling a pre-booked inspection.
- Consistent Customer Experience:
Ensures consistent customer service with standard inspection lead times and inspection-type prioritization.
Compliance Standards for Elevators, Escalators &
Ski Lifts
- Prioritizes High-Risk Non-Compliances:
Help industry understand safety priorities by identifying high-risk non-compliances that may pose a high risk to public safety if not addressed immediately. Compliance Standards are a list of high-risk non-compliances which, if found on a periodic inspection, will result in a follow-up inspection by TSSA to ensure compliance. Low- and medium-risk safety tasks will be documented on the inspection report and are expected to be addressed as part of regular equipment maintenance. - Safety Ownership:
Acknowledges that regulated parties have the primary responsibility for compliance and are required to:
- Resolve all orders within the compliance time provided
- Resolve low- or medium-risk safety tasks within the compliance time provided without further TSSA inspection
New Format for
Inspection Reports
Enhanced Clarity of Inspection Reports:
(The new format applies to inspection reports across all programs: Elevating & Amusement Devices; Ski Lifts; Fuels; Boilers & Pressure Vessels; Operating Engineer)
- Improved language
- Display orders based on the compliance time (orders with the shortest time to achieve compliance will appear at the top)
- Display resolved orders (if any)
Consolidation of Expiry Dates for Elevating Devices &
Ski Lifts
Same Expiry Date for all Authorizations:
- Consolidation of expiry dates gives authorization holders the option to have one expiry date for their devices for each account. The option will be available to authorization holders of elevating devices and ski lifts as of March 1, 2023. Interested applicants can request an application form by sending an email to licencingandregistration@tssa.org.
- Customers can better manage billing cycles and pay renewal licenses at the same time for all devices.