Regulations and vessels covered

Pressure vessels are governed by the Act respecting pressure vessels and the Regulation respecting pressure vessels.

Parties covered

This regulatory framework applies to the pressure vessel manufacturer, installer, repairer and user, whether as owner, lessee or possessor.

Vessels covered

The following pressure vessels, including their attendant piping and accessories, are covered:

• a boiler or furnace operated by steam or hot water or by another liquid or gas;
• an automatic apparatus for heating a boiler or furnace;
• a refrigerating plant;
• a tank or a vessel containing a gas or a liquid under pressure.

This type of apparatus is mainly found in public buildings and commercial or industrial plants.

Additional requirements to be met

Under the Act and the Regulation respecting pressure vessels, additional requirements could apply, depending on the type of work intended or the device involved.

For example, you might have to meet the requirements contained in the following standards or codes:

• Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code;
• Code d'installation des appareils sous pression;
• Mechanical Refrigeration Code;

General Provisions for Pressurized Plant and Components in CANDU Nuclear Plants.

Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code (CSA B51)

This standard, developed and published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), covers the design, manufacturing, testing, inspection and registration of the devices.

Devices covered

This standard covers boilers, pressure vessels, pressure piping and fittings.

It does not cover:

• refrigerating plants;
• pressure vessels intended for the nuclear energy sector;
• pressurized components for elevators and hydraulic lifts;
• pressure confinement devices intended for switching and control equipment;
• pressure vessels intended to carry dangerous substances under the authority of Transport Canada.

Code d'installation des appareils sous pression (NQ 3650-900-1989)

This code, published by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), covers the installation of pressure vessels.

Devices covered

This code covers pressure vessels other than refrigerating plants and pressure vessels intended for the nuclear energy sector.

Mechanical Refrigeration Code (CSA B52)

This standard, developed and published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), aims to lower the risk of injury by setting minimum requirements applying to the design, manufacturing, installation, verification and maintenance of refrigerating systems.

Devices covered

This standard covers:

• refrigerating systems installed since adoption of the Code (2005), including systems installed in new or existing buildings. It also applies to all locations  wherethose systems are installed, including any machinery rooms;
• refrigerating systems whose coolant has been replaced in the above-mentioned locations;
• parts that have been replaced or added in refrigerating systems installed before or after adoption of the standard.
  
  It does not cover the following systems:

• systems using water or air as coolant;
• gas storage tanks not permanently hooked up to a refrigerating system;
• refrigerating systems installed on board railroad cars, automobiles, trailers,
• airplanes or boats;
• refrigerating systems used for air conditioning in private homes.

General Provisions for Pressurized Plant and Components in CANDU Nuclear Plants
(N285)

This is a standard developed and published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

This standard specifies the technical requirements for the design, procurement, fabrication, installation, modification, repair, replacement, testing, examination, and inspection of, and other work related to, pressure-retaining and containment systems, components, and supports over the service life of a CANDU nuclear power plant.

Devices covered

This standard applies to all pressure-retaining systems, including their components and supports, in a CANDU nuclear power plant, but does not apply to concrete containment structures.

Legal references

The requirements affecting pressure vessels are spelled out in the Act respecting pressure vessels and the Regulation respecting pressure vessels , which can be viewed on the Publications du Québec site.