british columbia safety authority b … columbia safety authority b contractor licensing ......

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Prepared by: Ed Hurd P.Eng. Provincial Safety Manager, Boilers

Date: June 26, 2013

MAN-4048-00

BRITISH COLUMBIA SAFETY AUTHORITY

B Contractor Licensing GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS

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Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3

Scope of B Licenses .................................................................................................... 3

Definitions .................................................................................................................... 3

Class B License Application Procedure ....................................................................... 4

Application Assessments, Issue and Maintenance of License ..................................... 5

Letter of Understanding ............................................................................................... 5

Duties of a Licensed Contractor................................................................................... 6

Permitting .................................................................................................................... 6

Design Registration Boilers and Pressure Vessels ......................................................... 6

Piping ........................................................................................................................... 7

Fittings ......................................................................................................................... 8

Requirements for Repairs ............................................................................................ 9

Definition Of Repair .................................................................................................. 9

Authorization ............................................................................................................ 9

Examples Of Repairs ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Repairs Of A Routine Nature ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Repair Method ......................................................................................................... 9

Testing ..................................................................................................................... 9

Documentation ....................................................................................................... 10

Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 11

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Introduction

The requirements for licensing contractors are established by the Safety Standards Act (the Act) and the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation (the Regulation). A person must not do regulated work unless they are licensed by the BC Safety Authority or authorized to do so by a certificate of qualification. Regulated work is the assembly, manufacture, construction, installation operation, testing, maintenance or repair of boilers, boiler systems or plants, pressure vessels, pressure piping or refrigeration systems and equipment. The Regulation further stipulates that a person must have an installation permit to install or alter a boiler and a person must hold a contractor’s license to perform regulated work under an installation permit. There are seven classes of contractors’ license established by section 60 of the Regulation.

(a) for the installation, repair or alteration of pressure retaining equipment such as boilers, pressure vessels and pressure piping:

(i) class "A"

(ii) class "Au"

(iii) class "Ap"

(iv) class "B" - limited capacity boiler, pressure vessel and pressure piping;

(b) for the installation, repair or alteration of refrigeration systems or equipment

- class "REF"

(c) for the servicing, repair or alteration of safety relief valves

- class "SRV"

(d) for the construction of boilers, pressure vessels or fittings

- class "MA" This manual provides policies for the licensing of B contractors and application guidelines for these licenses.

Scope of B Licenses

A class B license entitles a contractor to install, repair and maintain the following types of plants:

i. Fluid heating plants of 75 m2 or less of heating surface ii. Steam heating plants of 30m2 or less heating surface; iii. Power plants of 10m2 or less of heating surface, and iv. Water heaters with inputs exceeding 120 kW.

The alteration of boilers or pressure vessels is not within the scope of a class B contractor’s license.

Definitions

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Fluid heating plant - a boiler, other than a low-temperature, low-pressure boiler, in which water or an aqueous solution may be heated to a pressure not exceeding 1 100 kPa or a temperature not exceeding 121°C Low temperature, low pressure plant fluid plant – an assembly of one or more boilers, including ancillary equipment (pressure vessels and piping), containing water or an aqueous solution operating at a working pressure of 206 kPa or less and a temperature of 100°C or less Power plant – an assembly of one or more boilers, including ancillary equipment (pressure vessels and piping) in which steam or vapour is generated at a pressure greater than 103 kPa, an assembly of one or more boilers, including ancillary equipment (pressure vessels and piping) in which water or an aqueous fluid is heated to a temperature greater than 121°C or liquid is contained at a pressure greater than 1 100 kPa or an assembly of one or more thermal fluid boilers, including ancillary equipment (pressure vessels and piping) that operates at or above the vapour point of the contained thermal fluid at atmospheric pressure

Steam heating plant - a boiler in which steam or other vapour may be generated at a pressure

not exceeding 103 kPa Water heater - a vessel heated by the combustion of fuel, electricity or any other source for supplying potable hot water at pressures not exceeding 1 103 kPa and temperatures not exceeding 98.9°C

Class B License Application Procedure

An organization or person may make application to a provincial safety manager to be licensed as a B contractor. The organization or person must provide proof of relevant training, work experience, qualifications and conformity assessment procedures to verify that regulated work will be carried out in accordance with legislative and code requirements.

An applicant for a class B license must: a) submit a completed form FRM-08110-0 Boiler Contractor License Application and pay

the required fee;

b) submit a signed Letter of Understanding

c) have the current publications of the codes and standards, appropriate to the scope of work to be preformed. As a minimum the applicant shall have the following current publications, which shall be presented at the time of the interview:

i. The Safety Standards Act and Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and

Refrigeration Safety Regulation ii. The CSA-B51 Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Codes. iii. ASME CSD-1

d) Depending upon your organization’s scope of work, you may be required to purchase or

have access to current editions of other codes in addition to the minimum listed in (c). To determine which additional codes apply to your organization’s scope of work, refer to

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CSA-B51. The requirement for and availability of these additional codes may be verified at the time of the interview. Some of the additional codes that may be required are:

i. ASME Section I - Power Boilers ii. ASME Section II - Part A: Ferrous Material Specifications

1. Part B: Nonferrous Material Specification 2. Part C: Welding and Brazing Material Specifications 3. Part D: Material Properties

iii. ASME Section IV – Heating Boilers iv. ASME Section IX- Welding and Brazing Qualifications v. ASME B31.1 – Power Piping vi. ASME B31.9 – Building Services Piping vii. NBIC-NB23 - National Board Inspection Code for Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Part 1 – Installation Part 2 – Inspection Part 3 – Repairs and Alterations

Application Assessments, Issue and Maintenance of License

The applicant will be interviewed by a Boiler Safety Officer of BC Safety Authority to verify that the applicant has satisfactory knowledge of:

i. installation permit application procedures and processes ii. the Safety Standards Act and Power Engineers Boiler, Pressure Vessel and

Refrigeration Safety Regulation, CSA B51, other applicable codes and standards and BC Safety Authority boiler safety program procedures

On successful completion of the interview, after demonstrating adequate knowledge of the legislation, codes, standards and safety policies the applicant will be granted a class B contractor license.

Failure to comply with the requirements as set out in the Act, Regulation, and applicable codes or standards, may result in the issue of compliance orders, discipline orders, monitory penalties or the suspension of the contractor’s license. The provincial safety manager shall be informed of any address, ownership, organizational or quality control program changes. If a licensed organization is sold the new owner is required to make application for a B license. Contractor licenses are renewed annually on the anniversary date provided the contractor continues to meet all prescribed requirements for licensing and pays the required renewal fees. Licensed contractors may be subject to an assessment of their installation or repair procedures by the BC Safety Authority, at any time.

Letter of Understanding

All applicants for a class B contractor license are required to complete and sign a Letter of Understanding as shown in the Appendix. By completing and signing the letter the applicant confirms that:

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i. The contractor will apply for an installation permit for all boiler installations ii. The contractor will notify a BC Safety Officer before commencement of any installation

or repair iii. All equipment, materials and procedures used in an installation, repair or maintenance

will conform with the applicable codes and standards. iv. All welding will be done to a registered weld procedure or a BC Safety Authority pre-

qualified weld procedure (PWP) by a welder with a certificate of qualification v. The BC Safety Authority will be informed of any address, ownership, or organizational

changes made by the licensed contractor vi. The contractor will renew the license annually and vii. The contractor will allow a Safety Officer to assess their installation or repair work at any

time

Duties of a Licensed Contractor

Before the commencing any regulated work, a licensed contractor must notify a safety officer about the work including the construction, installation, repair or alteration of equipment on which the work will be carried out and provide evidence satisfactory to a the safety officer that the work to be performed falls within the scope of the contractor's licence. The safety officer may require an inspection at any time during work to install or repair equipment. The contractor must notify the safety officer when the work has reached the inspection point and may not continue with the installation or repair work without the approval of a safety officer. On the completion of regulated work, a contractor must notify a safety officer that the regulated work is complete and the construction, installation, repair or alteration has been completed in accordance with the Regulation, code and standards. The contractor must submit to a safety officer data reports, as defined in CSA B51 or the National Board Inspection Code ANSI/NB-23, for every installation, repair or alteration of equipment to which this regulation applies.

Permitting

A licensed contractor must have a boiler installation permit to install a boiler in the following plants:

i. Fluid heating plants exceeding 3 m2 of heating surface ii. Low temperature, low pressure fluid plants exceeding 3 m2 of heating surface; iii. Steam heating plants exceeding 3 m2 of heating surface; iv. Power plants exceeding 2 m2 or less of heating surface, and v. Water heaters with inputs exceeding 120 kW.

An installation permit is not required for a pressure vessel, pressure piping system or a boiler in a plant which does not exceed the limits listed above. The owner/operator of a boiler or pressure vessel must hold an operating permit.

Design Registration Boilers and Pressure Vessels

The standards governing the design and construction of boilers and pressure vessels are the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes except as otherwise detailed in CSA B51. The design of all boilers and pressure vessels must be registered with the BC Safety Authority. Design

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registration is verified by the issue of a Canadian Registration Number (CRN). CRN’s are alfa numeric having a letter and four numbers followed by a decimal point. Those valid for British Columbia will have a number one after the decimal eg: A1234.1; there may be other numbers following the decimal indicating registration in other provinces. The CRN will be on the vessel nameplate and listed on the manufacturer’s data report (MDR). Design registration is typically completed by the boiler or pressure vessel manufacturer.

Piping

Pressure piping systems are piping systems containing:

(a) an expansible fluid, or (b) a non-expansible fluid or thermal fluid (fluids other than water or aqueous solutions used for heat transfer) with an operating temperature exceeding 1210 C or a working pressure exceeding 1100 kPa.

An expansible fluid is any vapour, gas or liquid that will change to a vapour or gas at atmospheric conditions (14.7 psia and 70°F). Pressure piping systems shall be registered in accordance with CSA B51 “Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code”. The following pressure piping systems are exempted from the requirements of the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation:

(a) A pressure piping system operating at and with a relief valve or valves set at 103kPa or less. (b) A pressure piping system external to the boiler proper in a low temperature low pressure fluid plant (a plant containing a liquid but not thermal fluids operating at a working pressure of 206 kPa or less and a temperature of 100°C or less).

The standards governing the design and construction of all pressure piping systems including piping that is NPS 3 or less are the ASME Code for Pressure Piping, B31 series. The design of pressure piping that is in a heating plant or NPS 3 or less does not require registration however the piping system must comply with all other requirements of the Regulation and construction code. Design registration is required for all other piping systems greater than NPS 3. Sufficient documentation to verify that the design conforms to the applicable B31 piping code shall be submitted. As a minimum, the following information and documentation shall be submitted:

(a) A completed British Columbia CRN application form (FRM-1171) (b) Design data such as ASME code specification, material specifications, pressure ratings, temperature ratings and type of service (c) Two copies of PI & Ds or schematic drawings showing the specific lines to be registered, and two copies of line lists showing line numbers & sizes, design & test parameters (d) ASME code calculations for expansion, flexibility and support for pipe diameters exceeding NPS 3.

The drawings should be identified by number and revision and indicate ASME code of construction (edition and addenda), non-destructive examination requirements, maximum allowable working pressure, minimum and maximum design temperatures, fluid service, heat

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treatment, impact testing, corrosion allowance, dimensions, flange, valve and fitting standards, CRNs for boilers, pressure vessels or fittings in the system and ASME material specifications. The drawings and calculations shall contain sufficient information to verify that all applicable requirements of the specified ASME code have been complied with. The calculations shall show the formulas used or reference the code section, which is the source of the appropriate formula. Where computer programs have been used for piping design, a complete program report is not required and only the name of the program utilized, input data and output results should be submitted. Upon satisfactory review of the piping system design registration documentation, a design registration letter indicating the British Columbia piping registration number (P number), date of registration, description of the piping system, installation site, drawing numbers, registration fee and any other pertinent information will be sent to the applicant. A separate invoice will be forwarded for the registration fee. No other documents will be stamped or returned to the applicant. Piping systems shall be constructed and installed by a licensed contractor. Prior to construction or installation the contractor shall notify a safety officer of the work. On the completion of construction or installation, the contractor must notify a safety officer that the work is complete and must complete a construction data report for all piping systems. The piping system may be inspected by a safety officer who may witness or require a pressure test report before the piping system is placed in service. For construction data report, the following rules apply:

a) For piping systems manufactured in British Columbia , a Construction Data Report For Piping Systems Manufactured Inside British Columbia (FRM-1329) shall be completed and signed by the manufacturer and by the Safety Officer (BCSA Boiler Safety Officer). b) A partial construction data report shall also be completed for parts of a piping system, such as pipe spools, fabricated at a location other than the piping installation or supplied by another manufacturer. c) All applicable categories indicated by the manufacturer in the construction data report (Shop Construction, Field Construction, Final Data Report or Partial Data Report) shall be signed by a Safety Officer. d) For piping systems manufactured outside of British Columbia a Construction Data Report For Piping Systems Manufactured Outside British Columbia (FRM-1330) shall be completed and signed by the manufacturer and by the Authorized Inspector. e) All applicable piping system construction data reports shall be available for review by the Safety Officer at the installation site.

Fittings

Fittings are valves, gauges, flanges, nozzles or other similar components attached to or forming part of a boiler, pressure vessel or pressure piping system. The design of fittings shall be registered. Design registration is verified by the issue of a Canadian Registration Number (CRN). Fitting CRN’s are alpha numeric having a zero followed by a letter and four numbers followed by a decimal point. Those valid for British Columbia will have a number one after the decimal eg: 0A1234.1; there may be other numbers following the decimal indicating registration in other provinces.

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Fittings shall be registered in a category listed in Table 1 of CSA B51 with the exception of Categories A, B, C, and G which are exempted from registration in British Columbia as per Directive No. D-B6 070402 3. Categories A, B, C, and G fittings must comply with the standards listed in the ASME boiler and piping codes.

Categories of Fittings

Category Type of Fitting

A Pipe fittings such as couplings, tees, elbows, wyes, plugs, unions nipples pipe caps and reducers

B Flanges

C Line valves

D Expansion joints, flexible connectors, hose assemblies

E Strainers, filters, separators and steam traps

F Measuring devices such as pressure gauges, level gauges, sight glasses, levels, and pressure transmitters

G Certified pressure relief devices

H All pressure retaining components not in Categories A to G

Requirements for Repairs

Definition Of Repair

The work necessary to restore a boiler or pressure vessel to a safe and satisfactory operating condition, provided there is no deviation from the original design. An alteration is a change to a vessel which necessitates a change of design calculations or affects the pressure retaining capability of the vessel or non-physical changes such as the rerating of pressure and temperature limits. Alterations are not within the scope a B contractor’s license.

Authorization

Repairs to pressure containment items shall not be initiated without the authorization of a Safety Officer, who shall be satisfied that the repair methods are acceptable. The Safety Officer may give prior approval for “Repairs of a Routine Nature”, provided the Safety Officer is satisfied that the licensed contractor has acceptable procedures covering the repairs.

Repair Method

The repair method shall be acceptable to the Safety Officer.

Testing

Based on the nature and scope of the repair activity, one or a combination of the following examination and test methods shall be applied to repairs and replacement parts used in repairs.

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Liquid Pressure Test

Pressure testing of repairs shall meet the following requirements: Pressure tests shall be conducted using water or other liquid medium. The test pressure shall be the minimum required to verify the leak tightness integrity of the repair, but not more than 150% of the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) stamped on the pressure retaining items, as adjusted for temperature. When original test pressure included consideration of corrosion allowance, the test pressure may be further adjusted based on the remaining corrosion allowance. During a pressure test, where the test pressure will exceed the set pressure of the pressure relief device, the device shall be removed or gagged as recommended by the device manufacturer. The metal temperature for the pressure test shall be in accordance with the original code of construction, but not less 60o F (15.6o C) unless the owner provides information on the toughness characteristics of the material to indicate the acceptability of a lower test temperature. During close examination the metal temperature shall not exceed 120o F (49o F) unless the owner specified requirements for a higher test temperature and it is acceptable to the Safety Officer. Hold-time for the pressure test shall be a minimum of 10 minutes prior to examination by the Safety Officer. Where the test pressure exceeds the MAWP of the item, the test pressure shall be reduced to MAWP for close examination by the Safety Officer. Hold-time for close examination shall be as necessary for the Safety Officer to conduct the examination.

Pneumatic Test A pneumatic test may be conducted for piping systems. Concurrence of the owner shall be obtained in addition to the acceptance of a Safety Officer. The test pressure shall be the minimum required to verify leak tightness integrity of the repair, but shall not exceed the maximum pneumatic test pressure of the original code of construction. Precautionary requirements of the original code of construction shall be followed.

Documentation

All repairs shall be documented in BPV Repair Alteration Report (FRM-1062-01).

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Appendix

This appendix exhibits the Letter of Understanding that must be completed by an applicant for a class B contractor license.

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LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING

The licensed contractor will comply with all of the requirements of the Safety Standards Act (Act) and Power

Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation (Regulation). These requirements include,

but are not limited to the general duties of a licensed contractor in section 61 of the Regulation:

1. In accordance with section 62 of the Regulation the licensed contractor shall apply for an installation

permit before the installation of any boiler

2. Before the commencement of work the licensed contractor must give notice to a safety officer of every

installation, or repair of equipment to which the Regulation applies and ensure that the work to be

performed falls within the scope of the contractor's license.

3. In accordance with section 86 of the Regulation the licensed contractor must notify a safety officer of any

repair and receive approval from the safety officer for the repair procedures to be used before commencing

work.

4. On the completion of work, the licensed contractor shall notify a safety officer that the installation or repair

has been completed in accordance with the Regulation, codes and standards and submit to a safety officer

data reports, as defined in CSA B51 or the National Board Inspection Code ANSI/NB-23 for every

installation and a repair report in the case of a repair.

5. In accordance with section 84 of the Regulation the licensed contractor must ensure any boiler, pressure

vessel or pressure piping system is registered with the BC Safety Authority and has a Canadian

Registration Number.

6. The licensed contractor must ensure that all equipment, material and components used in a plant

installation or a repair complies with the applicable codes and standards.

7. In accordance with section 78 of the Regulation all welding or brazing on regulated equipment shall be

carried out using a welding or brazing procedure that:

- the licensed contractor has registered with the BC Safety or

- is a BC Safety Authority pre-qualified Welding Procedure (PWP)

8. The licensed contractor must inform the B C Safety Authority of any contractor address or ownership

change. A new owner is required to be re-certified by the B C Safety Authority.

9. In accordance with section 24 of the Act the licensed contractor must maintain current knowledge of the

Act, relevant regulations, relevant directives, relevant safety orders and any other relevant material that the

minister makes publicly available, and ensure that individuals who do regulated work for the licensed

contractor maintain similar current knowledge. Failure to comply with the requirements as set out in the

Act and Regulations, applicable codes or standards, may result in the suspension or withdrawal of the

contractor’s license or enforcement action such as compliance orders, monetary penalties or disciple orders

in accordance with sections 38, 39, 40 and 42 of the Act.

10. Contractor licenses will be renewed annually, providing all requirements have been met. Licensed

contractors may be subject to an assessment or audit by the BC Safety Authority at any time.

The licensed contractor agrees to abide by this Letter of Understanding.

Contractor Name and Address:

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_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: _______________________________ Fax:_________________________________

E-mail address:_______________________________________________________________

Name and position of the Contractor Representative:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of the Contractor Representative:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________________

:

For office use only

B S O’s Name______________________________________________________ Date:_______________________

Comments______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature:________________________________________________________

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Revision History

Revision Revision Date Revision history Revised by

00 2012-09-04 New release Ed Hurd

Approval

This document has been approved for adequacy by:

Date

Ed Hurd, Safety Manager – Boiler Technology September 4, 2012

british columbia safety authority b … columbia safety authority b contractor licensing ......

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