NEW! Federal: New requirements for tank testers, tank inspectors and training organizations

Transport Canada has issued the following bulletin, New requirements for tank testers, tank inspectors and training organizations, to convey important about changes to the CSA B620:20 standard, covering certification requirements for highway and portable tank testers and tank inspectors. It also covers the new training organization registration related to tank testers and tank inspectors.

This bulletin is targeted to highway and portable tank testers and tank inspectors, as well as CSA B620:20 certified training organizations.

What you need to know
The new CSA B620:20 standard includes new qualifications for highway and portable tank testers and tank inspectors. 

If you are a new tank tester or tank inspector, you must be trained on the different types of tests and inspections needed for highway and portable tanks. This training must be done by a certified training organization.

Once this training is complete, you will have to complete a certain number of tests and inspections with a qualified tank tester or tank inspector before you are recognized as a qualified tank tester or tank inspector. 

Current tank testers and tank inspectors
The CSA B620:20 standard recognizes tank testers and tank inspectors who are qualified under the existing CSA B620:14 regime.

If you are qualified under CSA B620:14, you are still qualified as a tank tester or tank inspector under CSA B620:20. However, you will need to successfully complete the CSA B620:20 training no later than three (3) years after the mandatory compliance date, as required by the TDG Regulations. 

This three-year period gives industry time to adjust so that qualified tank testers and tank inspectors can mentor new tank testers and tank inspectors, while still testing and inspecting tanks following the latest 2020 edition of CSA B620.

New tank testers and tank inspectors
To become a tank tester, you will need to have:

• a training certificate;
• familiarity with the tank specification, test procedures, and pass or fail criteria;
• performed at least six (6) tests (any test type from any tank category) while being supervised by a qualified tank tester; and
• performed at least three (3) more tests (specific test type for a given tank category) while being supervised by a qualified tank tester.

To become a tank inspector, you will need to have:

• a training certificate;
• the knowledge and ability to determine if a tank meets its specification requirements;
• performed at least 30 inspections (any inspection type from any tank category) while being supervised by a qualified tank inspector (an engineer requires six (6) inspections); and
• performed at least three (3) more inspections (specific inspection type for a given tank category) while being supervised by a qualified tank inspector.

Maintaining your qualifications
To maintain your qualifications, you must keep a log of the tests and inspections that you have completed. You must do a certain number of tests and inspections within an 18-month period.

If you have not completed the minimum number of tests or inspections, you will need to perform more tests or inspections under the direct supervision or a qualified person to requalify for that work.

Information for training organizations
New requirements

A training organization is a company that has been registered by Transport Canada. They can train tank testers and tank inspectors according to the requirements set out in the CSA B620 standard. 

If you successfully complete a training program, you will receive a training certificate that lists the tank functions and tank types that you are trained for. All new tank testers and tank inspectors will need these certificates, which will expire every three (3) years or when a new edition of the CSA B620 is published, whichever comes first.

Figure 1: Table 8.1, Tank categories for tests and inspections qualification [Source: CSA B620:20 (Ballot Draft)]
 

Who can become a training organization
You can apply to become a training organization if you are a/an:

• CSA B620 facility;
• CSA B620 consultant;
• industry association; or
• individual

Existing CSA B620 facilities can register with TC to provide the required training to their employees. Some facilities may choose to use outside training organizations. Training can be delivered in many ways, including:

• in-class;
• virtual classroom;
• e-learning; and/or
• hands-on at a facility.

This flexibility ensures that industry has a lot of options to meet their training needs.

Register as a training organization
To register as a training organization, send a completed application to the TDG Directorate by email: MOCregister-Registrecontenant@tc.gc.ca. The application can be downloaded here.

You can also request an application form by email: MOCregister-Registrecontenant@tc.gc.ca.

Please include your contact information and details like learning material, sample training certificates, and testing material. If your application is approved, TC will register you as a training organization.

Questions
For any questions, please contact the Regulatory Frameworks and International Engagement Branch at MOCRegister-RegistreContenant@tc.gc.ca or 1-855-298-1520 (toll free).