Manitoba
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Manitoba Labour and Immigration

Mechanical and Engineering Branch

Steam and Pressure Plant Programs

The Steam and Pressure Plants Act and The Power Engineers Act together to establish a safety partnership among those who use, design, construct, install, repair, and inspect pressure equipment. The Mechanical and Engineering Branch works with equipment owners, manufacturers, installers, licenced power engineers and pressure welders to ensure that all are meeting their obligation to safety.

All repairs and alterations to boilers and pressure vessels must be reported to the Mechanical and Engineering Branch of the Department of Labour using the following form.

There are several Pressure Equipment Programs including:

Other important information on this page includes:

PRESSURE EQUIPMENT INSPECTIONS PROGRAM

Periodic government inspection and certification is the keystone of the province's pressure equipment safety program. Under the Act:

  • No boiler or pressure vessel may be operated without a valid inspection certificate issued by the Mechanical and Engineering Branch of Manitoba Labour and Immigration. Certain refrigeration plants also require certification, depending on type, size and refrigerant.
  • A valid inspection certificate is issued only after a Mechanical and Engineering Inspector has conducted an inspection of the plant or equipment and found it to be in satisfactory condition.
  • Inspection certificates for most boilers are issued for one year; annual inspection is required to renew the certificate each year.
  • Inspection certificates for most unfired pressure vessels are issued for two years; inspection is required once every two years to renew the certificate.

Scope of the Manitoba Steam and Pressure Plants Act
Boilers that develop less than 3 boiler horsepower (126,000 BTU input), those used for heating single family or duplex homes, and unfired pressure vessels under 10 cubic feet volume are exempt from inspection and certification requirements. Factory-assembled refrigeration units that generate less than 100 tons of refrigerating capacity and site-assembled refrigeration units that generate less than 50 tons of refrigerating capacity are exempt, unless the refrigerant is ammonia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following document provides answers to questions frequently asked by owners, installers, and real estate professions relating to boiler and pressure vessel inspection and certification. This questions include:

  1. Why does my boiler require inspection and certification? (Owner)
  2. What makes boiler and pressure equipment potentially hazardous? (Owner)
  3. What should I do if the certificate expires, but no one from the government contacts me about an inspection appointment? (Owner)
  4. How much will the certificate cost? (Owner)
  5. Who inspects my boiler? (Owner)
  6. What if I disagree with an order written by the Inspector? (Owner)
  7. What are my responsibilities when commissioning a newly-installed boiler? (Installer)
  8. How do I notify Mechanical and Engineering that I will require a Start-up Inspection? (Installer)
  9. Who inspects my installation? (Installer)
  10. What are the fees for Start-up Inspections and certificates? (Installer)
  11. What does the Mechanical and Engineering Branch have to do with my real estate transaction? (Real Estate Professional)

In addition, you will find a link to a document explaining the responsibilities of: the equipment owner; equipment installer; equipment/piping designer; manufacturer and repair organization or manufacturer; power engineer; and inspector.

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM (QUALITY CONTROL CERTIFICATION)

A Certificate of Authorization is required to install all boilers, pressure vessels and pressure piping systems regardless of size. The following application with all required documents must be submitted to the Mechanical and Engineering Branch, 500-401 York Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0P8.

Systems Exceeding 17 cubic feet

If the system exceeds 17 cubic feet in volume, determined by using Chart to Determine if Pressure Piping Installation Exceeds 17 cubic feet, you must also obtain a Canadian Registration Number for the system. You must submit installation design drawings and specifications for approval, along with your traveler, before beginning work. For information about registering piping designs, please consult the Design Registration Program of Pressure Equipment Programs.

DESIGN REGISTRATION PROGRAM

Why Register Designs?

The Steam and Pressure Plants Act and Regulation governs the design, fabrication, installation, operation, repair and inspection of pressure equipment in Manitoba. The legislation adopts various codes, standards and specifications as minimum requirements. The minimum requirements described in these codes, standards and specifications, are the rules that Mechanical and Engineering design engineers and field inspectors adhere to and enforce.

Requirements for pressure equipment Design Review are contained within the Canadian Standards Association standards:
(a) B51-Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code;
(b) B52-Mechanical Refrigeration Code.

What Designs Must Be Registered?

The two CSA standards, B51 and B52, contain administrative requirements for registering drawings, specifications and Data Reports with the jurisdictional authority. Manitoba has fully adopted the design registration requirements described by these codes for the following processes:

  • Registration of design for Boiler and other pressure equipment
  • Registration of design for pressure piping of a volume 17 cubic feet and larger
  • Registration of pressure fittings
  • Registration of welding and brazing procedures
  • Welding and brazing qualifications
  • Submission of Manufacturer's Data Report
  • In-Service Repairs and Alterations
  • Fabrication Inspection (Including Imported Equipment)
  • Registration of refrigeration system designs

The Steam and Pressure Plants Act imposes additional requirements for registering:

  • propane storage tank locations and
  • ammonia storage tank locations.

How to Register Designs in Manitoba

Drawings, specifications and calculations relating to the design of each boiler, pressure vessel, fitting, fired-heater pressure coil, and pressure piping intended for use in Manitoba shall be submitted for registration with the Manitoba Mechanical and Engineering Branch.

Once accepted and registered, the Mechanical and Engineering Branch will issue a Canadian Registration Number for that design. Any number of pieces of equipment may be made from the registered design, and each shall carry the CRN with the appropriate suffix (.4) to show registration in Manitoba.

Registration Submissions must include:
1. The company's valid Manitoba Certificate of Authorization licence number, or evidence of Quality Control certification from the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), or certification by another recognized pressure equipment quality audit certification agency.
1. Completed application form for each design
2. Two copies of drawings and calculations
3. Evidence of registration by the original registering province (if applicable)
4. Registration fee in cheque or money order, payable to the Manitoba Minister of Finance.

The following applications and forms are available to register designs in Manitoba:

General Requirements for Design and Fabrication of Pressure Piping Systems

All pressure piping systems for use in Manitoba shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the applicable ANSI/ASME Piping Codes and the Manitoba Labour and Immigration, Steam and Pressure Plants Act.

(A) Piping Systems over 17 cubic feet internal volume

  • For piping systems exceed 17 cubic feet in aggregate capacity, the information described below must be submitted to the Manitoba Department of Labour, Mechanical and Engineering Winnipeg Branch for review and registration. The district inspector will be notified of the registration upon the issuance of the registration number.

    The firm responsible for the installation shall complete and submit, in triplicate, the following information:

    •
    1. ‘General Engineering Requirements for Design and Field Construction of Pressure Plant Piping' application form.
    2. Line drawings showing the general arrangement of boiler, pressure vessels, pressure piping systems and fittings.
    3. Line identification lists showing maximum pressure and temperature rating and hydrostatic test pressures.
    4. Materials specifications, size, schedule and service of pressure piping and fittings.
    5. A list of pressure relief devices and their set pressures.
    6. Heat treatment and non-destructive examination specifications
    7. Test procedures outlining the justification for alternate tests, types, test pressure, test temperature, duration, method and safety precautions for tests other than hydrostatic tests. For hydrostatic tests, the test pressure must be provided.
    8. Any other information deemed necessary by the inspector.
  • As pressure piping is fabricated and test, the contractor shall complete the ‘Construction Data Report for Piping Systems' which verifies that the piping section was fabricated and examined in accordance with the applicable standards. All pressure piping systems shall be subject to a hydrostatic test as required by the Regulation and notification shall be given to the Provincial District Inspector for his witness. ‘Shop Constructed Data Reports' for piping sections not hydrostatically tested shall be completed by the fabricator and be made available to the District Inspector upon request.
    •
    1. Piping Systems under 17 cubic feet in volume

      Piping systems not exceeding 17 cubic feet are exempt from registration. The District Inspector however must still be notified of any construction by the party responsible. The installer is still responsible for preparing the information described in (A) and must meet the requirements of the Steam and Pressure Plants Act, the CSA B51 Code and the applicable ASME Construction Code governing the system and maintaining it in his own filing system. The information listed in (A) must be provided to the District Inspector upon request.

      Additional Requirements for All Piping Systems

    2. The installer must have a Certificate of Authorization to install pressure systems in Manitoba.
    3. All welding shall be performed by certified pressure welders to company qualified welding procedures. All welding procedures used shall be registered with the Manitoba Department of Labour, Mechanical and Engineering Branch.
    4. Pressure piping lines shall be clearly identified by a system satisfactory to the Authorized Inspector.
    5. Upon completion of the pressure piping installation, ‘Construction Data Reports for Piping Systems' shall be submitted along with a ‘Completion of Construction Form' to the owner and to the Chief Boiler Inspector.

    6. All revisions, correspondence or completed forms should include the registration number that has been assigned to each project by the Manitoba Labour and Immigration, Mechanical and Engineering Branch.

    Guidelines for Design Registration for Boilers, Pressure Vessels, Pressure Piping and Related Components Made Outside of Manitoba Jurisdiction, Outside of Canada, or Outside of the United States.

    For information on required compliance with the ASME code and the CSA-B51 standard, proving equivalency with the ASME code, proving the equivalency of the quality control program, and Fees charged for design reviews, please consult Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety - Guidelines for Design Registration for Boilers, Pressure Vessels, Pressure Piping and Related Components Made Outside of Manitoba Jurisdiction, Outside of Canada, or Outside of the United States - (pdf).

    HOW TO CONTACT YOUR INSPECTOR

    Boiler and Pressure Equipment Inspectors generally work in one geographical area. Although inspectors are rotated periodically, you can generally assume that the inspector you saw last year will be the one you see again this year. To speak with or correspond with your inspector, please consult the contact information below. If you are unsure who your inspector is, please call the Mechanical and Engineering switchboard for help: (204) 945-3373.

    District # Area Name Cell Phone E-mail
    1 Inkster, Point Douglas North, Seven Oaks Vacant    
    2 and 3 Brandon, Dauphin, Swan River, and Area Dwane Babee 204-573-1884 Dwane.babee@gov.mb.ca
    4 Assiniboine South, River Heights West, Fort Garry Randy Schreyer 791-0260 Randy.Schreyer@gov.mb.ca
    5 St. Boniface, River East, Transcona Derrick Slater 799-3780 Derrick.Slater@gov.mb.ca
    6 Downtown East, Point Douglas South Darrell Friesen 918-1768 Darrell.Friesen@gov.mb.ca
    7 Downtown West Vacant    
    8 St. James - Assiniboia Bruce Fierheller 794-6455 Bruce.Fierheller@gov.mb.ca
    10 St. Vital, St. Boniface East, River Heights East Paul Gatin 770-9351 Paul.Gatin@gov.mb.ca
    11 Eastern Manitoba, North of Lake WPG/MB and North of Swan River Barry Prokopetz 803-0525 Barry.Prokopetz@gov.mb.ca
    12 Portage La Prairie and Area Jerry Painter 204-871-0851 Jerry.Painter@gov.mb.ca
    Manitoba North Vacant    
      Chief of Inspection Services

    Manager of Operations    		 Peter Skrupski 793-3767 Peter.Skrupski@gov.mb.ca

    STEAM AND PRESSURE PLANT PROGRAMS FEE INFORMATION

    Fee for inspection depends on the size and type of your boiler, as follows. The fee you pay is for the work of the inspection. If an inspector must make more than one inspection--if for instance, he or she must re-inspect on work orders--you can expect to be charged the re-inspection fee. There is no additional fee for issuing the certificate after the boiler is confirmed to be in satisfactory condition. For information on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Unit Inspections, please consult the following document.

    Separate fees as assessed for the registration of boiler and pressure vessel designs. For information relating to fess for pressure welder testing, boiler and pressure equipment design registration services, and shop inspections, please consult the document below.