Hydraulic Systems – Canada Wide
Hydraulic systems, while often high pressure, rarely require registration. For example, Ontario’s piping flow chart references hydraulic fluid for cylinders with the exemption based on the temperature (<150° F). It is best practice to review the piping chart for the specific province the hydraulic system will be installed in.
Regardless of the need for piping to be registered, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders connected to the piping systems are not covered by ASME code rules and most provinces specifically exempt them. Here are some of the exemptions for hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders connected to piping systems:
British Columbia
Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation B.C. Reg. 104/2004
3 (1) This regulation applies in respect of every boiler and boiler plant, every pressure plant, every pressure vessel, every pressure piping system, every fitting, every plant and all refrigeration equipment and refrigeration plants.
(2) Despite subsection (1), this regulation does not apply to any of the following:
(i) a pressure vessel used for hydraulic purposes having an operating temperature of less than 82°C [180° F] , if the primary design considerations are mechanical in nature and stresses are derived from the functional requirements of the device rather than fluid pressure;
Alberta
(2) The Pressure Equipment Safety Regulation, the Pressure Welders Regulation and the Power Engineers Regulation do not apply to the following:
(j) a pressure container that is an integral part of a rotating or reciprocating mechanical device, such as a pump, compressor, turbine, generator, engine or hydraulic or pneumatic actuating cylinder, where the primary design considerations or stresses of the device are derived from the functional requirements of the device;
Saskatchewan
The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act, 1999, Chapter B-5.1 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan
Application of Act 3(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), this Act applies to all boilers, pressure vessels, plants, pressure piping systems and fittings except:
(m) a pressure vessel that is used exclusively for hydraulic purposes at atmospheric temperature;
Ontario
Ontario Regulation 220/01 No Amendments Boilers and Pressure Vessels:
Application 2. (1) This Regulation applies to the design, construction, maintenance, use, operation, repair and service of boilers, pressure vessels and piping. O. Reg. 220/01, s. 2 (1).
(2) This Regulation does not apply to,
(m) pressure containers that form an integral part of or that are a component of rotating or reciprocating mechanical devices, including pumps, compressors, turbines, generators, engines and hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders where the primary design considerations or stresses, or both, are derived from the functional requirements of the device;
Nova Scotia
4 (1) All of the following products are exempt under subsection 6(2) of the Act from the Act and these regulations:
(l) a pressure vessel that is an integral part of a rotating or reciprocating mechanical device, such as a pump, compressor, turbine, generator, engine and hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, and the primary design considerations or stresses of which are derived from the functional requirements of the device;