Boiler and Pressure Equipment (BPE)
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Boiler and pressure equipment (BPE) includes boilers, pressure vessels, refrigeration plants and high-pressure piping systems.
Anyone involved in the construction, manufacturing, installation, operation, repair or maintenance of regulated pressure equipment must comply with the Technical Safety Act, Boiler and Pressure Equipment Regulations and applicable codes and standards.
BPE applies to:
- boilers
- pressure vessels
- pressure piping systems
- refrigeration plants
Contractors
A company that manufactures, fabricates, installs, repairs, alters or maintains regulated pressure equipment must hold a Boiler and Pressure Equipment (BPE) Contractor Licence.
Without a valid contractor licence, permits for regulated pressure equipment work in Nova Scotia cannot be approved.
Activities requiring a contractor licence include:
- manufacturing and fabrication
- installation
- repairs and alterations
- maintenance work
- welding, brazing or bonding on regulated pressure equipment
- employing personnel who perform pressure welding activities
How to apply
Before applying, you need an approved quality program manual.
To apply:
- Prepare the manual according to the Quality Control Program Requirements Guide (PDF).
- Contact the BPE inspector (PDF) assigned to your area to review and accept the manual.
- Submit your licence application.
Companies based outside Nova Scotia also need to provide proof of authorization from their home jurisdiction.
Manual revisions
You need approval before implementing major changes to your quality program manual, including:
- operational or procedural changes
- changes to scope of work
- code or standards updates
- certain address changes affecting scope of work
Renewal
Renew your licence when you receive your renewal notice.
The revision level of the quality program manual being used must match the version registered with Technical Safety.
Fees
| Activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial contractor licence | $265.40 |
| Quality program manual revision | $265.40 |
| Contractor licence renewal | $132.70 |
Apply online
Other ways to apply
You can use the BPE Contractor Licence Application Form (PDF) or BPE Contractor Licence Renewal Form (PDF) if you’re unable to apply online. Send your completed application and all supporting documents by mail or drop it off at the Technical Safety Division office.
Equipment owners and operators
Anyone operating a regulated boiler, pressure vessel or refrigeration plant must hold a valid equipment licence.
Before an equipment licence is issued, the equipment must meet all applicable requirements under the Boiler and Pressure Equipment Regulations.
Boiler condition reports
Owners of certain boilers must submit a Boiler Condition Report (PDF) completed by an authorized oil burner mechanic or gas technician.
The report must be provided to the Chief Inspector as required under the regulations.
Pressure welders
Anyone performing pressure welding on regulated pressure equipment must hold a Pressure Welder Licence of the appropriate class and work for a licensed BPE contractor.
The two licence classes are:
- pressure plate
- pressure pipe
How to apply
First time applicants need to:
- submit a pressure welder application (PDF)
- meet the experience or education requirements in the regulations
- successfully complete required testing
Testing can be arranged through the Technical Safety Division.
BPE permit
A permit must be obtained before:
- installing regulated pressure equipment
- repairing regulated pressure equipment
- altering regulated pressure equipment
- performing regulated work on boilers, pressure vessels, refrigeration plants or pressure piping systems
Applications must include:
- description of proposed work
- drawings
- equipment details
- contractor licence information
BPE Permit Application Form (PDF)
Canadian Registration Numbers (CRNs)
A Canadian Registration Number (CRN) is required before regulated pressure equipment designs can be manufactured, installed or operated in the province.
CRNs are required for:
- boilers
- pressure vessels
- pressure piping system
- fittings
- petroleum furnace coils
Nova Scotia registrations
Boiler, pressure vessel and petroleum furnace coil submissions must include:
- Design Registration Application (PDF)
- 2 copies of fabrication drawings
- 1 set of required design calculations
Fittings submissions must include:
- Design Registration Application (PDF)
- Statutory Declaration for Fitting Registrations (PDF)
- 2 copies of drawings and/or catalogues
- 1 copy of calculations and proof test reports each
- other supporting technical documentation
Pressure piping system submissions must include:
- Design Registration Application (PDF)
- 2 copies of the system’s P&ID
- 1 copy of the general arrangement drawing, line list or piping specifications and the design code calculations each
- other supporting technical documentation
Multi-jurisdictional registrations
Nova Scotia participates in the Canadian Registration Number Reconciliation Agreement, which provides mutual recognition of design reviews among participating jurisdictions.
Information is available through:
Registration contact
Design review and CRN registration:
Donald Ehler
Phone: 902-240-9584
Email: donald.ehler@novascotia.ca
Labour, Skills and Immigration
Boilers and Pressure Equipment Section
103 Garland Avenue, 3rd Floor
Dartmouth, NS B3B 0K5
Safety notifications
Safety Alert: imminent danger to a safety issue, that if not addressed will likely lead to health and safety consequences.
Safety Bulletin: non-imminent danger practices or procedures, which may have a level of safety risk if not addressed as soon as possible.
Safety Directive: an interpretation or application of the act, regulations or standards of the regulation, which require action. A Directive is legally binding and must be followed by the affected parties.
Safety Notice: informative, non urgent, proactive communication on safety issue.
Current notifications
- Safety Bulletin - Technical Safety Standards Regulations – Adoption of Updated Power Engineering Codes (PDF) | Bulletin de sécurité - Règlement sur les normes de sécurité technique - Adoption des codes mis à jour de technique des centrales électriques (PDF)
- 2022-01-17 – Directive – Practical Experience Requirement (PDF) | 2022-01-17 – Directive – Practical Experience Requirement: French (PDF)
- Notice for Examination Candidates Writing the 2nd Class Part B Paper 1 (2B1) Power Engineering Certification Examination (PDF)
Safety reminders
- Boiler and Pressure Equipment Safety Reminders (PDF)
- Boiler and Pressure Equipment Safety Reminders: French (PDF)
Contact
If you have questions about boiler and pressure equipment requirements, contact the Safety Branch, Technical Safety Division.
Phone: 1-800-9LABOUR (1-800-952-2687)
Email: safetybranch@novascotia.ca
Forms
PDF forms can now be filled out online.
- Minor variance application (PDF)
- Application for Nova Scotia CRN Registration (PDF)
- Boiler Condition Report (PDF)
- NS-03 Application For Welder Transfer To New Brunswick (PDF)
- Fabrication Data Report for Pressure Piping Systems (PDF)
- Declaration of Test (CSA B52 Code) (PDF)
- Installation Report for Cast Iron Sectional Boilers (PDF)
- Boilers & Pressure Vessels Repairs / Alterations Report (PDF)
- Application for Initial Pressure Welder Proficiency Testing (PDF)
- Welder Transfer Request (PDF)
- Inter-Provincial Welder Transfer Request (PDF)
- Alberta B Equivalency Examination Instruction (PDF)
- Alberta B Application Form NS-01 (PDF)
- Alberta B Application Form NS-02 (PDF)
- Statutory of Declaration for CRN (PDF)
Permit & Licence
- BPE Contractor License Application Form - Initial License or Change of License (PDF)
- BPE Contractor License Application Form - Renewal (PDF)
- Guide for the Preparation of Quality Program Manuals for Licensing of Companies Performing BPE Regulated Work (PDF)
- BPE Contractor Permit Application Form (PDF)
- List of Licensed Contractors (PDF)