Piping – Quebec

Last updated Feb 2022, RDS/SMM

Update Feb 2022

Category A, B and C fittings are now exempt in Quebec provided they are manufactured in accordance with a standard recognized at the national level by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Section 8 of the regulations repecting pressure pressure installations (section 8 regulations)

Original document last updated Sept 22, 2014

Piping registration requirements for Quebec ONLY: Registration of piping is done at the time the installer submits to the “Regie du batiment du Quebec” a declaration of installation of the piping. If the declaration of installation is accepted by the “Regie du batiment du Quebec”, a number is given to the installer and that number shall be used by the manufacturer of the piping as the provincial piping design registration number. [From Information Relating to Fees Applicable to Boilers and Pressure Vessels in the Province of Quebec * (A-20.01, r. 1.1), April 1, 2003, not available online]

Fittings used in piping systems shall be registered by the fitting manufacturer [fittings need a CRN].

This flowchart is based on information from the following source:

Quebec Government document titledREGULATION respecting pressure vessels subtitled – “An Act respecting pressure vessels” (chapter B-1.1, r.6.1) Updated Mar 1 2014 – refer to this current document as “REGULATION” and: An regulation respecting pressure installations April 1st, 2021.

DEFINITIONS 1. In this Regulation, unless otherwise indicated by the context,

“piping” means a system of pipes and conduits, including a manifold, used exclusively to carry a fluid from one point to another; (tuyauterie)

“low pressure” means (1) gauge pressure of 103 kPa [14.9 psi] or less for steam and gases; (2) gauge pressure of 1,100 kPa [159.5 psi] or less for water at a temperature of 121 degC [249.8degF] or less; or (3) vapour pressure of 205 kPa [29.7 psi] or less in absolute pressure for liquids at the maximum operating temperature; (basse pression)

Vapour pressure: Vapour pressure or equilibrium vapour pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by a vapour in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases at a given temperature in a closed system. [Wikipedia]. The vapour pressure of water at 100degC is 101.1kPa. If the pressure is raised to 204kPa, it will not boil until the temperature reaches 121degC. When the vapour pressure of a liquid is less than the pressure it is held at, boiling is prevented. The Quebec regulation asks: if a high pressure liquid other than water is lowered in pressure to 205kPa (absolute, or 104 kPa [15 psi] above atmospheric) at the maximum operating temperature, will the fluid boil? If so, register the piping system (or that part of the piping system). Note that a maximum operating temperature can be less than or equal to the design temperature.

Refrigeration is covered by section 3 and 3(4) of the act:

(3) Sections 14, 16 and 18 This regulation does not apply to a refrigeration system whose drive motor has a maximum rated power of 125kW, which is tested and certified by an approved test laboratory, and which meets all the requirements of hte “Code for Mechanical Refrigeration”, CSA B52 published by CSA, hereinafter reffered to as the “Code for Mechanical Refrigeration”.

(3)(4) This by-law does not apply to piping:2) a refrigeration system with a capacity of 11 kW or less.