Labour and Immigration

Historical Steam Traction Boilers


Inspection & Technical Services (ITS) oversees the operation, repair, and alteration of historical steam boilers in the province of Manitoba. Below is some useful information that pertain to the provincial requirements regulating historical steam boilers in Manitoba.

"Historical Steam Traction Boiler" - A steam boiler of a riveted or welded construction, including a steam tractor, traction engine, and hobby steam boiler but excluding a steam locomotive - built prior to 1955 that:

Note: Despite any other provision including the provisions of a code or standards adopted as a guide, historical steam traction boilers must not be operated at a pressure exceeding 175 pounds per square inch.


Historical Steam Traction Boiler Design Registration:

Prior to the historical boiler being placed into service, the boiler design shall be *registered with ITS.

All designs shall be submitted electronically to QASupport@gov.mb.ca.

Please refer to bulletin ITS 20-003 "Electronic Submission Guide" for more information on required documentation and submission requirements available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page.

Note: When submitting the calculations for existing construction, the following shall be considered:

*Design registration entails assigning a Canadian Registration Number to the boiler design; in accordance with the original code of construction.


Historical Steam Traction Boiler Repair and Alteration:

Inspection and Technical Services (ITS) requires preapproval of all repairs and/or alterations performed on historical steam traction boilers that have a Canadian Registration Number (CRN). The repair and alterations procedures shall be approved by the regulatory authority before the work commences.

Changes in the boiler condition might justify recalculation of the MAWP in accordance with the method given above; and shall be treated as an alteration if recalculated to a different value.

All repairs and alterations shall be reported using the form "Repair & Alteration Report ITS ES Form 01" available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page.

Submissions can be sent to TechnicalServices@gov.mb.ca with the Subject Line - "Repair/Alteration Historical Steam Boiler - (Insert CRN or B-Number of the boiler)"


Historical Steam Traction Boiler Operator Licensing:

A candidate is qualified for a historical steam boiler operator's certificate of competency after completing all the following:

For inquiries and examination scheduling, please contact the department at the following email address: ITSTrades@gov.mb.ca

Note: *Below are additional requirements for the hours of experience mandate:

Useful Reference Documents: available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page