CRN 101

Vessels

• Vessels classified as ASME pressure vessels must be designed and calculated to the ASME code. Vessel or Fitting?
• All ASME pressure vessels must be stamped with the appropriate ASME code mark and be registered with the National Board. CSA B51 4.10.1.2
• Most provinces require a Professional Engineers (P. Eng) stamp on vessel drawings and calculations. A Professional Engineers stamp from anywhere in North America is accepted in most provinces. Ontario is the only province that states it must be an Ontario P. Eng.
• Once a vessel is registered it can be built as many times as required in the registered province until the design is changed or an ASME code change makes the design invalid. There is no specific expiration date. CSA B51 4.1.2

Used Vessels

Used vessels present unique challenges as we are tasked with proving that the vessel condition is still sufficient to pass the code requirements for the original pressure and temperature ratings.

The first determination is whether the vessel requires Ultrasonic Testing (UT) to determine the level of corrosion. This is not typically required for stainless steel vessels but the final decision would be made by an Authorized Inspector (AI). This Authorized Inspector must be from one of the Canadian provincial jurisdictions or be registered with the National Board. If the vessel is not able to be inspected the UT testing may be done as a precaution. If we run ASME calculations based on the original drawing and then the AI decides it needs to have UT at time of inspection, then the calculations will have to be updated based on the test results.

The documentation required for used vessel registration is as follows:

• The original U1-A form that was completed and signed by the National Board (NB) inspector at the time of fabrication. This form is often available from the national board if you have the original NB number from the nameplate.
• Ideally the original drawing of the vessel if available. If not available, a drawing will need to be created. This will include using the U1 for reference and additional inspection. For example, radiography and physical measuring and inspection to verify the weld sizes, nozzle thickness and elevations/orientations etc.
• If the original calculations are available, they can be reviewed and used as reference for the CRN registration.
• If the original calculations are not available, new calculations done to the original code of design can be run. This would also reflect the minimum wall thickness from an ultrasonic test report if applicable due to corrosion.
• If the nameplate is missing from the vessel then it is very difficult to register even with the U1 and the original drawing. Without the nameplate it must be proven that the drawing and the U1 match the vessel. This involves much more testing (i.e., Radiography, PMI (Positive Material Identification), Magnetic Particle Inspection etc.). Often the cost and time to prove a design without a nameplate negate the value of registration except on very valuable designs.

In Canada vessel registrations require an ASME U stamp as well as NB registration for acceptance. These requirements are the same for used vessel registrations.

Fittings

• There are multiple categories of fittings and each must be registered separately. CSA B51 4.2.7
• Here is the list with the fitting categories explained. Fitting Categories Explained.
• Category H can also be a small pressure vessel under some circumstances or a collection of piping components provided none are greater than 6” and the total volume is less than 1.5 cubic feet. Fitting Categories Explained.
• All fittings purchased to assemble Category H fittings must have valid CRN’s for the province of registration regardless of the design, manufacturer, or code. This is critical for pipe fitting registrations.
• Fittings can be registered with an ASME or an ISO certificate. The QC must cover the scope of the registration. For example, the QC certificate must include fabrication if that is required to produce the component. A QC certificate that includes strictly design would not cover welding or assembly.
• Fitting registrations include a notarized statutory declaration. This includes the drawing number, what is being provided for proof of design (calculations, burst test, etc.), as well as the manufacturers QC certification and the logo or icon that will be used to signify the CRN on the fitting.
• There is a stipulation for someone other than the manufacturer to accept responsibility for the design. However, the following must be observed “The organization responsible shall provide a statutory declaration form and evidence of a valid quality control program acceptable to the regulatory authority in the province where the registration is sought. The manufacturer(s) shall be identified, and proof of their quality control program(s) shall also be provided.” CSA B51 4.2.
• In some very specific cases UL certification may be used for fitting registrations. However, specific requirements must be met and testing procedures followed. These are not as straightforward as standard fitting registrations.
• Fitting CRN’s are valid for 10 years from the original acceptance date provided the design does not change and the quality program used to register the design is kept current. When the expiry date is approaching the manufacturer can apply for a renewal.
• There are some provinces that exempt certain categories of standard ASME fittings, but this must be determined on a case-by-case basis. “British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared categories A, B, C exempt from registration provided they are designed to standards listed in Table 126.1 (B31.1), Table 326.1 (B31.3), Table 526.1 (B31.5) or Table 926.1 (B31.9). Category G is also exempt from registration if designed to ASME or National Board. Quebec has exempted Category A, B and C from registration when used in piping systems. Other provinces still require these items to be registered. See provincial regulations for more details” Provincial Contacts and Requirements.
• SUBSECTION under fittings “notes about standard fitting registrations”
• Standard ASME fittings such as B16.34 valves and B16.5 flanges do not have to be “proven” but they do need drawings that show all critical dimensions as well as having the materials listed. This will verify that all aspects of the design are in compliance with the code of construction. CSA B51 4.2.8 (a)
• PVEng’s role in fitting registrations includes consultation, design review, and submission. The provincial jurisdictions require all submissions to be compliant with the applicable codes and we perform a review to confirm this. The amount of time required for our review depends entirely on the scope of products being registered.

Fitting Renewal

Fitting CRN’s expire after 10 years and require a renewal to remain valid. This renewal should be started approximately 8 months to 1 year before the expiry date to ensure all updates are complete and provide time for renewal at all provinces included in original submission.
For standard fitting renewals where the designs and scope are remaining the same the following steps are usually required.

• Update ASME code calculations to newest code edition.
• Update any other proof of design that may have been included i.e. FEA or burst test if no longer compliant.
• Update drawings to show newest ASME code edition if applicable.
• Prepare new statutory declarations.
• Provide updated copy of QC certificate (ISO/ASME)

These documents are sent to the original province of registration with a renewal request. Once that province issues the renewal, we can then go any other provinces included in the original acceptance for the additional renewals. All other submissions after the original province can be done simultaneously.
A renewal can also be an opportunity to update the scope and add new designs to the original CRN. This would require updating the original calculations or testing to include the new designs. These new calculations along with the documents listed above can be submitted and the CRN revised and renewed at the same time. Any additions to the scope must be the same fitting category as the original CRN.

If PVEng was the original submitter for the fitting CRN we will have all the documentation in our system that needs to be updated and will provide a quote and consultation for all required updates. If we did not do the original submission we will need to review everything available from the original submission and will provide a plan and a quote for updating and assisting with the renewal.

Piping

• It is important to review the provincial regulations for piping as the differences can be substantial. Piping Registration Requirements.
• CRITICAL – All purchased fittings used in piping systems must have valid CRN’s from the manufacturer for the province of registration regardless of the design, manufacturer or code. CSA B51 8.2. This is crucial for pipe fitting registrations and is often the most difficult part of a piping registration. Canada registers all fittings used in pressure systems including small pipe fittings (elbows, tees reducers etc.) as well the standard ASME flanges, valves, filters etc. (see fitting section above for more information and possible exemptions)
• There are two types of piping registrations. Category H for assemblies less than 1.5 cubic feet (see fitting description above) and piping registrations for system larger than 1.5 cubic feet.
• Piping registrations are tied to an actual address and cannot be built multiple times like vessels or fitting CRN’s allow.
• There are very specific PRV requirements in many provinces, specifically Alberta.
• Pressure vessels and heat exchangers are not considered as part of the piping system and must be registered separately by the manufacturer and have their own CRN numbers. They are not included as part of the calculation of volume for the piping system.
• Sample and explanation of various documents included with piping submissions.