Piping – British Columbia

Last updated Mar 21 2018 SMM

This flowchart is an approximate combination of information collected from the following source: “Pressure Piping Registration”2021

1. This circular details the requirements for the registration of designs, installation and inspection of pressure piping systems for use in British Columbia. Pressure piping systems are piping systems containing (a) an expansible fluid, or (b) a non-expansible fluid or thermal fluid (fluids other than water or aqueous solutions used for heat transfer) with an operating temperature exceeding 121° C or a working pressure exceeding 1100 kPa. An expansible fluid is any vapour, gas or liquid that will change to a vapour or gas at atmospheric conditions (14.7 psia and 70° F)…

2. The following pressure piping systems are exempted from the requirements of the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation: (a) A pressure piping system operating at and with a relief valve or valves set at 103kPa or less. (b) A pressure piping system external to the boiler proper in a low temperature low pressure fluid plant (a plant containing a liquid but not thermal fluids operating at a working pressure of 206 kPa or less and a temperature of 100° C or less).

3. The standards governing the design and construction of all pressure piping systems including piping that is NPS 3 or less are the ASME Code for Pressure Piping, B31 series. The design of pressure piping that is NPS 3 or less does not require registration however the piping system must comply with all other requirements of the Regulation and construction code [.]