Overview
1. Scope
The purpose of this information paper is to explain how to get licensed pressure equipment designated as “portable” equipment within the Province of Saskatchewan.
2. Definition of Portable Equipment
Portable equipment is defined as pressure equipment that is:
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truck or trailer mounted; OR
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skid mounted and intended to be relocated multiple times in a year.
No pressure relief device’s (PRD) associated discharge piping shall be connected to any headers not contained on the skid, trailer or truck.
Examples of portable equipment types are:
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steam boilers used in association with oil drilling or oil well servicing rigs;
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steam boilers for culvert or drain system steaming;
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pressure vessels on vehicles such as highway stripe painting trucks;
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gas and casing gas compressors; and
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pressure vessels used as portable test treaters or separators.
3. Not within the Scope of this Paper
For clarity, this paper does not apply to any equipment not under the scope of the legislation administered by TSASK. Equipment that is covered under the following legislations are not within the scope of this document:
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Transportation of Dangerous Goods – specifically those covered under:
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CSA-B620 – Highway Tanks and TC Portable Tanks for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods;
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CSA-B621 – Selection and Use of Highway Tanks, TC Portable Tanks and Other Large Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Classes 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8, and 9;
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CSA-B622 – Selection and Use of Highway Tanks, TC Portable Tanks and Ton Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Class 2;
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CSA-B625 – Portable Tanks for the Transport of Dangerous Goods;
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CSA-B626 – Portable Tank Specification TC 44;
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Transport Canada Rail Transportation; and
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Other applicable legislation under the administration of Transport Canada.
4. Background
In order for an owner to obtain a Licence to Operate, an acceptance inspection shall be completed by a TSASK Inspector or a qualified licensed Class A Pressure Equipment Inspector who is employed by a company with a Quality Management System (QMS) program. The Regulations define an acceptance inspection in Clause 2(1) as:
… an inspection conducted after the installation or repair of a boiler, pressure vessel or refrigeration plant and before it is put, or put back, into service;
Applying this clause means that each time a piece of pressure equipment is moved to a new location, an acceptance inspection is required. TSASK determined that this is not a reasonable requirement to place on owners whose business depends on the mobility of their equipment.
The purpose of having pressure equipment installed on a truck, trailer or some skids is so the owner may move the equipment whenever needed. Some of the pressure equipment may even move multiple times in a day. The use of “portable equipment” status allows equipment to be inspected at the required inspection intervals; but, not every time the equipment is relocated.
5. Eligibility for Portable Equipment Status
In order for pressure equipment to be considered for portable equipment status, the pressure equipment shall:
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be installed on a truck, trailer or skid whose business purpose requires multiple location changes in a year;
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have a valid licence to operate; and
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be protected by a pressure relief device whose discharge piping is not connected to any header system not fully contained on the truck, trailer or skid.
Owners shall be required to demonstrate through explanation why the equipment needs to be relocated multiple times in a year. The owner shall also include in their explanation the location where the pressure equipment will be staged when not in use.
6. Application for New or Used Equipment
Owners shall submit to TSASK the applicable form(s) and fee(s) in order to be considered for portable status. The following clauses highlight the TSASK documentation requirements depending on whether the equipment is new or existing.
6.1. New Equipment or Equipment new to Saskatchewan – no valid Licence to Operate
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Installation or Repair/Alteration Permit;
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Manufacturer’s data report;
6.2. Existing Equipment – with a valid Licence to Operate
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Application for Portable Equipment Status
7. Owner’s Responsibilities
7.1. Location of Portable Equipment
Owners do not have to notify TSASK each time the portable equipment is moved to a new location. However, upon request by TSASK, an owner shall supply TSASK with an up-to-date listing of all portable equipment, including type of mounting (ie. truck, trailer or skid), an identification number for the truck, trailer or skid unit (if applicable) and the portable equipment’s current location.
If an owner fails to provide TSASK with this list within five business days, the owner may have the portable status suspended or cancelled until such time as the owner is able to demonstrate better control over the equipment.
7.2. Periodic Inspections
If TSASK is providing the inspection services (owner does not have a QMS program that allows for the owner’s licensed Pressure Equipment Inspector(s) to do the inspections), TSASK shall notify the owner when portable equipment is to be inspected. The owner shall then furnish TSASK with the location and expected stay at that location for the piece of equipment.
If the equipment is not at the location provided to TSASK when the inspector arrives to do the inspection within the date range specified by the owner, TSASK may opt to charge the owner the hourly rate for the TSASK Inspector’s time. The portable status for the equipment may be suspended or cancelled until such time as the owner is able to demonstrate better control over the equipment.
7.3. Damaged Portable Equipment
Owners shall notify TSASK immediately whenever a piece of portable equipment is damaged. TSASK may suspend the operation of the equipment until an inspection is completed (either by TSASK or by the owner inspector or their designate) to the satisfaction of TSASK.
Failure to notify TSASK of damaged equipment may result in the suspension or cancellation of the portable equipment status for the owner’s equipment.
8. Selling Equipment with Portable Status
Portable status is linked to the owner. The application is the owner’s acknowledgement of their responsibilities for pressure equipment with portable status. This acknowledgment of the special responsibilities as outlined in this paper cannot be transferred with the sale of the portable pressure equipment. When pressure equipment is sold, TSASK cancels the portable status and a new agreement with the new owner is required.
9. Additional Requirements for Portable Oilfield Boilers
Oilfield boilers shall comply with the additional requirements in information paper IP-2016-10-02 – Additional Information and Requirements for Oilfield Boilers. Please review that paper to ensure compliance.
10. Additional Information & Questions
For additional information or if there are questions or concerns, please contact TSASK Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Services & Inspections:
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By email at info@tsask.ca;
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By phone at (866) 530-8599. Please ask to speak to a TSASK Inspector or the Manager, Boiler & Pressure Vessel Safety Services;