Grain Dryers

All grain dryers in Manitoba must bear a CSA 3.8 standard certification marking, or a field approval marking or special acceptance marking from an approved Inspection Body or ITS.

The process for installing a certified grain dryer is much simpler than for installing an uncertified grain dryer. A certified grain dryer will bear the label of a certification body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), which confirms that the dryer was manufactured and tested in accordance with the CSA 3.8 -2014 or later version of standard, including all gas burning and electrical components.

The gas and electrical components of some previously owned grain dryers might not be safe for installation, even though they bear a recognized certification label. For example, if the grain dryer has undergone a major alteration, or has had its fuel source converted from propane to natural gas with conversion kits not approved by the manufacturer, its certification label may no longer be valid. In addition, if there are any obvious electrical or gas safety hazards the dryer will not be approved for startup.

If you are considering installing or purchasing a previously owned grain dryer, and are unsure of its certification or approval status, a representative from ITS will visit your site to conduct an assessment of the grain dryer to determine what your options are to get the grain dryer operational.

Arrangements for an assessment can be made by contacting the Program Manager – Gas and Oil Inspections at 204-945-3373, or by email at ITSinspections@gov.mb.ca

Installing an uncertified grain dryer will take longer than installing a certified grain dryer, and may include more associated costs. In order to install an uncertified grain dryer, you will need to obtain field approval for the gas and/or electrical components of the equipment. Refer to ITS 21-032 – Recognized Certification and Inspection Bodies for Gas Fired Appliances and ITS 21-037 - Recognized Certification and Inspection Bodies for Electrical Equipment for agencies that are approved to provide field approvals of gas burning and electrical equipment in Manitoba.

A grain dryer will require a field approval if:

• The unit is over 12.5 million BTU and cannot be certified under the CSA 3.8 – 2014 standard;
• An existing certified or non-certified appliance is being upgraded; (i.e.: converting the fuel source from propane to natural gas without a conversion kit approved by the manufacturer);
• The previous certification or approval of an existing unit cannot be confirmed;
• You have combined more than one piece of certified equipment into a bin-dryer combination (where the unit as a whole has not been certified to the CSA 3.8 standard)

Related Documents available on the Bulletins, Guides & Forms page:

• ITS GO Guide 02 – A Guide to Installing your Grain Dryer
• ITS 21-033 – SaskPower, ITS Gas Inspections Harmonized Requirements
• ITS 20-006 – 2020 Crop Drying Preparations
• ITS GO Form 05 – Field Approval of Uncertified Fuel Burning Equipment
• ITS 21-027 – Gas and Oil Equipment Field Approval Program
• ITS 21-032 – Recognized Certification and Inspection Bodies for Gas Fired Appliances
• ITS 21-037 - Recognized Certification and Inspection Bodies for Electrical Equipment