Pressure Equipment Inspections
Inspection and Technical Services (ITS) is responsible for inspecting boilers, pressure vessels, and plants, including steam, pressure, and refrigeration plants. The Steam and Pressure Plants Act requires inspections of a boiler or pressure vessel after it is installed, and before is operated or used. The Steam and Pressure Plants Act requires that regular periodic inspections of pressure equipment are performed at intervals, and occur over the operating life of the equipment. These inspections contribute in ensuring safe operation of the pressure equipment.
Another element contributing to the safe operation of pressure equipment is plant supervision. ITS is responsible for plant classification, plant supervision requirements, for examination and licensing of Power Engineers, and for verifying requirements under the Power Engineers Act during periodic inspections.
The Steam and Pressure Plants Act and the Power Engineers Act are found at Legislation and Regulations page.
New Installations of Pressure Equipment
ITS performs inspections on newly installed or newly replaced pressure equipment. Any exclusions are as outlined in the Steam and Pressure Plants Act.
To request an inspection, please email bpvintake@gov.mb.ca, including the completed application ITS BPV Form 02 – Application for Installation of Pressure Equipment for new or replacement installations and all documentation required therein. The form is available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page.
Following a satisfactory initial inspection, an invoice will be sent by mail to the installer. Upon receipt of payment, the inspection certificate will be mailed to the installer. The Steam and Pressure Plants Act requires that the installer provides the initial inspection certificate to the owner.
Periodic Graded Regular Inspections
ITS performs periodic inspections of pressure equipment throughout the life of the equipment and applies an interval grading system for determining the inspection interval. Subsequent inspections must occur prior to the expiration date on the inspection certificate.
Where possible, please contact ITS 6 weeks prior to the expiry date on the inspection certificate to arrange for the next periodic inspection. To request an inspection, please email bpvintake@gov.mb.ca.
Following any periodic inspection, an invoice and, where required, a violation letter indicating orders to remedy will be mailed to the owner. Upon receipt of payment, the inspection certificate will be mailed to the owner.
Inspection Certificate
The Steam and Pressure Plants Act prohibits operation of pressure equipment without a valid inspection certificate. A valid inspection certificate is required to operate all boilers, pressure vessels, and refrigeration plants.
The inspection certificate is issued following satisfactory inspection and payment. The certificate contains the Manitoba Object Number. This unique identifier is assigned to each boiler, pressure vessel or refrigeration plant installed in Manitoba. The object number will begin with a B, P or R followed by a hyphen and up to 5 digits.
The inspection certificate also contains an expiry date. A subsequent successful inspection must occur prior to the expiry date for continued operation. ITS conducts inspections proactively as well as through request.
Where an inspection certificate has been lost, destroyed, or defaced, a duplicate inspection certificate may be requested through bpvintake@gov.mb.ca. Following payment, an inspection certificate will be issued.
If an inspection has not been made prior to the expiration date on the inspection certificate, the owner may request an extension. Please refer to ITS Bulletin 20-001 - Request for Extension of Certificate and ITS BPV Form 01 – Certificate Extension available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page.
Inspection Fees
All inspection fees are outlined in The Steam and Pressure Plants Regulation. This includes fees for:
- new installation inspections,
- periodic inspections,
- additional inspections due to previously found unsatisfactory work,
- weekend or holiday inspections, and
- other fees.
ITS Bulletin 21-040 – Amendments to the Steam and Pressure Plants Regulation available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page provides additional information to fee changes that were implemented on July 1, 2019.
Decommissioned, Deactivated, or Removed Pressure Equipment
When pressure equipment will be deactivated, decommissioned, or removed, please contact ITS at bpvintake@gov.mb.ca.
Repair Alterations
See the Repair and Alterations page for more information.
