Boiler and Pressure Equipment (BPE)

Technical Safety Act - Province Streamlines Safety Regulations in New Act (News Release, 1 April 2011).

This applies to all Boiler and Pressure Equipment (BPE) as defined under the Technical Safety Act and Boiler and Pressure Equipment Regulations.

Anyone involved in the construction, manufacturing, installation, operation, repair and maintenance of:

  • boilers
  • pressure vessels
  • high pressure piping systems
  • refrigeration plants

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.

Key Safety Reminders

Boiler Condition Report

BPE Regulations, Maintenance and Inspection Section 28 (2) (b):

28 (2) An owner of a boiler with a maximum output capacity of 150 kW (507,104 BTU/hr) or greater at 103 kPag (15 psig) of steam or lower, or operating at a pressure of 206.7 kPag (30 psig) of hot water or lower, must ensure that the boiler is:

(b) given an acceptable condition report (PDF) that is completed and signed by an oil burner mechanic or gas technician authorized under the Fuel Safety Regulations made under the Act and provided to the BPE chief inspector.

BPE Contractor Licence

BPE Contractor Licence registration, change and renewal are available online (mail or drop off options are still available).

Check if you're ready to apply

You first need a completed Quality Program Manual (as identified in the manual) to apply for a licence:

Additionally, companies based outside Nova Scotia need to submit a copy of the contractor certificate or licence from their jurisdiction.

Initial licence

A company that wants to work on regulated pressure equipment must have a valid Boiler and Pressure Equipment (BPE) Contractor Licence. Without this licence, permits for installing or working on equipment at a specific location in the province won't be approved. Activities performed related to pressure equipment that requires a contractor licence includes, but is not limited to:

  • work as a manufacturer, fabricator, installer or contractor on regulated boilers and pressure equipment
  • work to repair or alter or perform maintenance on regulated boilers and pressure equipment and it's safety devices
  • welding, brazing, or bonding on regulated boilers and pressure equipment
  • employing personnel and providing for licencing of personnel that will perform welding, brazing, or bonding on regulated boilers and pressure equipment

Application fee - $265.40

Make Changes to Quality Program Manual

Submit a change or revision to the licence If the company had the following changes:

  • operational (procedural) or process control changes
  • increase or decrease in the types of pressure equipment to be within the scope of the quality program
  • changes required by updates or revisions to product codes and standards or regulations
  • change of address that affects the scope of work (applicable to ASME Accredited companies only)

Changes must be reviewed and accepted by the BPE Inspector assigned to your area (PDF map) or the authority having jurisdiction if from outside Nova Scotia.

Application fee - $265.40

Renew a Licence

Submit a renewal application once you receive your renewal notice from Technical Safety.

The revision level and date of the Quality Program Manual being implemented at the time of renewal must be the same revision level and date that is registered with the department. 

If there have been any changes after registration, please apply to Make Changes to Quality Program Manual.

Application fee - $132.70

MAIL IN / DROP OFF Option

  1. Print the application form and follow the instructions. Add all documentation required for the licence.
  2. Include the required fee by cheque or money order only, made payable to the Minister of Finance. Labour, Skills and Immigration-Technical Safety Division, 103 Garland Avenue, 3rd Floor Dartmouth, NS B3B 0K5

Online

Start

 

BPE Permit

A BPE permit must be obtained before any work, repair, alteration or installation is performed on any boiler, refrigeration plant, pressure vessel or pressure piping system. An application for a BPE permit (PDF) must be accompanied by all of the following:

  • a written description of the regulated work to be done
  • the drawings for the regulated work to be done
  • the particulars of the machinery and components to be used
  • the applicant's BPE contractor licence number

Equipment Licence

A person must hold an equipment licence to use or operate a boiler, pressure vessel or refrigeration plant, or to cause or permit a boiler, pressure vessel or refrigeration plant to be used or operated.

Before an equipment licence is issued it must meet the requirements of the BPE Regulations.

Pressure Welder Licence

A person must hold a pressure welder licence in the appropriate class to weld on any regulated product (ex. boiler, pressure piping, pressure vessel and refrigeration plant construction or repair) a pressure welder must be employed by a pressure welding employer who holds a BPE contractor licence.

There are two classes of pressure welder licence:

  • pressure plate
  • pressure pipe

First time pressure welders must complete an application (PDF) and meet the minimum required practical experience or educational qualifications as required by the BPE Regulations.

Testing can be arranged by contacting the Technical Safety Division, Boilers and Pressure Vessels Section.

Canadian Registration Number (CRN)

A Canadian Registration Number with the Provincial designator is required for the design, drawings and specifications for any of the following regulated products before it is manufactured, fabricated, inspected, installed or operated in the Province:

  • a boiler
  • a fitting to be used on a boiler system or pressure equipment
  • a petroleum furnace coil
  • a pressure vessel
  • a pressure piping system

Boiler, pressure vessel and petroleum furnace coil submissions for registration in Nova Scotia must include a Design Registration Application for a CRN (PDF), 2 copies of fabrication drawings and 1 set of design calculations as required by the Code of Construction and Boiler and Pressure Regulations under the Technical Safety Act.

For the registration of fittings, the submission must include the completed Statutory Declaration form found here (PDF) along with 2 copies of drawings and/or catalogues, and 1 copy each of calculations, proof test reports, other technical documents as applicable, and registration application form.

Registration of pressure piping systems must include 2 copies of the system's P&ID, and one copy each of the General Arrangement drawing, Line List or Piping Specifications, design code calculations as required by the code, and the registration application form.

Mutual Design Recognition, Reconciliation Agreement and the Canadian Registration Number (CRN)

On January 1, 2020 the Reconciliation Agreement for the Canadian Registration Number for Pressure Equipment (RA for CRN) came into force. Nova Scotia is one of many signatory provinces and territories committed to the mutual recognition of design reviews for boilers, pressure vessels and fittings conducted by other of the participating parties. Mutual recognition means that participating provinces and territories will recognize as valid the design reviews of other participating jurisdictions.

Once a design review is successfully completed in one of these jurisdictions, it will not need to be repeated in the other participating jurisdictions for the same application submission. A summary of the agreement can be found at this link. Full text summary of the Reconciliation Agreement including the participating jurisdictions can be accessed at: here (PDF).

Multi-Jurisdictional and National Reviews

For single point design reviews representing several jurisdictions in Canada visit the National Registration website for ABSA (Alberta) or visit for TSSA (Ontario)

Atlantic Canada and the Territories

For registrations specifically in one or more of the ACI Central seven member jurisdictions (NS, NB, PE, NL, NT, NU, YT) visit ACI Central Inc.

Nova Scotia Only

For registration requests specific to Nova Scotia only apply using the Registration Submissions Contact Information accessed through the Design Registration Application for a CRN along with two (2) copies of fabrication drawings and one (1) set of design calculations as required by the Code of Construction and Boiler and Pressure Regulations under the Technical Safety Act. Download the Design Registration Application for a CRN (PDF)

Where a CRN exists with other provinces and territories in Canada, to apply for a design recognition review in Nova Scotia, a new application must be submitted. Current codes and standards for broiler and pressure equipment design must be met at the time of application.

Registration Submissions Contact Info

Design Review & CRN Registration:
Donald Ehler: donald.ehler@novascotia.ca

Phone: 902-240-9584

Fax: 902-428-8770

Labour, Skills and Immigration
Boilers & Pressure Equipment Section
103 Garland Ave., 3rd Floor
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia  B3B 0K5

 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, reach out to the Safety Branch-Technical Safety Division at 1-800-9LABOUR (1-800-952-2687)

 

Forms

PDF forms can now be filled out online.

 

Permit & Licence

 

Related Information

 

Related Sites