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FAQ

Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions or ask your question.

You have a few options. First, contact the boiler manufacturer. They typically keep archives with all the necessary reports, drawings, and specifications. Alternatively, if the boiler is registered with the national board, you can obtain the reports for a small fee. In the worst-case scenario, if there's no registration or the manufacturer is no longer in business, consider contacting us at Acetake Group. We can help develop a comprehensive repair plan, including component identification and proper calculations for presentation to TSA and the authorized inspector.
  1. Purpose:

    • Pressure Vessel: A pressure vessel is designed to contain fluids or gases at a pressure different from the ambient pressure. Its primary function is to store, transport, or process these fluids under high or low pressure conditions.
    • Boiler: A boiler, on the other hand, is a specific type of pressure vessel designed to convert water into steam. Its primary purpose is to generate steam for heating, power generation, or other industrial processes.
  2. Function:

    • Pressure Vessel: Pressure vessels are versatile and can be used for various applications such as storing compressed air, chemicals, or liquids under pressure. They are not involved in the direct production of steam or heat.
    • Boiler: Boilers are specialized pressure vessels that use heat from fuel combustion or other heat sources to produce steam. This steam is then used for heating or to power machinery.
  3. Components:

    • Pressure Vessel: Pressure vessels typically have a simple design, consisting of a container with various fittings for pressure measurement, safety valves, and access points.
    • Boiler: Boilers have a more complex design with additional components like burners, tubes, and a combustion chamber to facilitate the generation of steam.
  4. Regulations:

    • Both pressure vessels and boilers are subject to strict safety regulations, with specific codes and standards governing their design, fabrication, and operation. These regulations vary depending on the region and the intended use of the equipment.
  5. Applications:

    • Pressure vessels find applications in industries such as petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing where the storage or transport of pressurized fluids is required.
    • Boilers are primarily used in power plants, heating systems, and industrial processes where steam is needed for energy or heating.

In summary, the main difference between a pressure vessel and a boiler lies in their primary purpose and function. While pressure vessels are designed to store or transport fluids under pressure, boilers are specialized vessels used to generate steam for various industrial applications. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these essential components in different industries.

A variance pertains to boilers or pressure vessels that fail to meet code requirements. In certain cases, allowances may be made for items that do not fully comply with Ontario's Technical Standards and Safety Act, Boilers and Pressure Vessels, Operating Engineers Regulations, Director's Order, and Code Adoption Document. The Director or Chief Officer may grant a variance if they are convinced, as permitted in Section 36(3)(c) of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, that the deviation would not have a negative impact on the safe usage of the equipment.
  • When the BPV is insured with a boiler and machinery insurance policy, the insurance company is responsible for inspecting the device and issuing the certificate of inspection required by the Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels.
  • When the boiler or pressure vessel is not insured, TSSA inspects the device and issues the Certificate of Inspection required by the Ontario Regulation 220/01.
  1. A pressure container that holds a gas, vapor, or liquid with a maximum allowable working pressure of 15 psi or lower.
  2. A pressure container that holds liquids that are no more hazardous than water, operating at a temperature of 150°F or lower, and with a maximum allowable working pressure of 250 psi or lower.
  3. A pressure container designed for domestic use, having an internal diameter of 24 inches or smaller, used for storing hot water not exceeding 212°F and with a heat input of 120 kW or lower.
  4. A pressure container used exclusively for hydraulic purposes, operating at a temperature not exceeding 150°F (65°C).
  5. A pressure container with an internal diameter of 24 inches (610 mm) or smaller, connected in a liquid pumping system, operating at a temperature not exceeding 150°F (65°C), and containing compressed air or an inert gas as a cushion.
  6. A pressure container with a capacity of 1 and one-half (1½) cubic feet (42.5L) or smaller, excluding fittings.

Repairs encompass any necessary tasks to reinstate a boiler or pressure vessel to a secure operational state, without deviating from the original design. In case there is a deviation from the design, there are different requirements.

 

Companies undertaking repair work must possess a Certificate of Authorization issued by TSSA or another Canadian jurisdiction. These companies can be found listed in TSSA's business directory. Alternatively, companies holding a National Board Certificate of Authorization (indicated by an "R" stamp) are also acceptable, as long as they fulfill all the requirements set by the National Board.

 

Inspection of BPVs for repair purposes with Mechanical Breakdown insurance:

If your BPVs are covered by Mechanical Breakdown insurance, get in touch with your insurer to arrange for the repair inspection.

 

Inspection of BPVs for repair purposes without Mechanical Breakdown insurance:

Prior to commencing any repair work, contact a local TSSA BPV inspector to ensure compliance with all technical and regulatory prerequisites. You can consult our BPV Inspector list to locate an inspector in your vicinity.

  1. A boiler utilized in conjunction with a hot liquid heating system that allows unrestricted flow between the boiler and an expansion tank, which is openly vented to the atmosphere.

  2. A boiler with a heating surface area of 10 square feet (0.93 square meters) or smaller.

  3. A low-pressure boiler that either has a wetted heating surface area of 30 square feet (2.79 square meters) or less, or a power rating of 30 kW or lower.

MPI inspection, or Magnetic Particle Inspection, is a non-destructive testing method used to detect surface and near-surface defects in ferromagnetic materials. It works by magnetizing the material, applying magnetic particles to its surface, and observing the accumulation of particles around defects, forming visible indications that highlight the presence and shape of flaws. Trained inspectors interpret these indications to determine the nature and severity of the defects. MPI inspection is effective, cost-efficient, and widely used in various industries.

Contact us for your next MPI inspection whether reperformed during manufacturing for quality control, as part of regular maintenance and inspection programs, for failure investigation, or as part of in-service inspections to ensure safety and reliability.

For a summarized version of this information along with related links, please visit the our website and check TSSA - Regulations of Ontario for a summary of how TSSA enforce these regulations anda list of organized useful links that give you a quick overview without the hassle of searching for the information you need.Visit our Pressure Vessel Engineering and TSSA Certification services for more information. Contact us for your next boiler and pressure vessels project and ensure compliance with the regulations set by the TSSA in Ontario.

Check the Procedure to Request Name Change on BPV Certificateson ASME website here.

The Certificate Holder needs to inform the ASME Conformity Assessment Department at ca@asme.org of the address change due to postal re-designation including any changes to the building number, street name, zip code, etc. ASME will issue a revised ASME Certificate of Authorization provided the Certificate Holder'/s Authorized Inspection Agency (AIA) of record provides documentation to ASME to support the Certificate Holder'/s request. Where there is no AIA involved in the Certificate Holder'/s code activities, documentation from the postal authority and/or the jurisdictional authorities where the shop is located will be needed to support the request. There is no charge to revise ASME Certificates of Authorization due to postal re-designation.

Reference: ASME website