REMINDER – Provincial: COVID-19 pressure relief extension allowances for provinces

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During a CPA committee meeting, members expressed difficulties with maintaining the planned pressure relief valve (PRV) replacement schedule for 10-year and 25-year expiry of propane containers.

Transport Canada (TC) has provided an extension of cylinders that fall under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act through the CPA’s temporary equivalency certificate TU 0807. The 10-year replacement schedule may be extended, provided that the measures indicated in the certificate are addressed.

While the Transport Canada Equivalency Certificate expires at the end of September 2021, TC will be willing to grant an extension of up to an additional year after the current extension’s expiration.

For 25-year PRV replacement schedules, the requirement and enforcement fall under provincial jurisdiction.
While not all provinces were receptive to an extension, a breakdown of provincial allowances can be found below.

For Alberta, see NEW – AB: Province provides COVID-19 pressure relief valve extension application process.

For any questions, please contact CPA Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs and Safety Robert Loenhart at robertloenhart@propane.ca.

British Columbia	1. The province has indicated that current requirements allow for industry to catch up in the following manner (see Directive: Propane storage tank pressure relief valve servicing and inspection intervals, Technical Safety BC) For pressure vessels in liquefied petroleum gas service governed by CSA’s B149.2 Propane Storage and Handling code, the maximum servicing intervals for PRVs are: Vessels greater than 2500 USWG shall have a maximum servicing interval of 10 years; Vessels 2500 USWG or less (excluding cylinders as defined by CSA B149.2) with an external PRV shall have a maximum servicing interval of 10 years; and Vessels 2500 USWG or less (excluding cylinders as defined by CSA B149.2) with an internal PRV shall have a maximum servicing interval of 25 years. 2. The frequency of the required periodic visual inspection for propane storage tank PRVs depends on the operating environment and the manufacturer’s recommendations but shall not exceed five years.
Alberta	In addition to Information bulletin No. IB15-012: Servicing of Pressure Relief Valves on Propane Storage Tanks, members can receive this extension by completing the application on AB-087d - Propane Tank Safety Valve Servicing Deferral and forwarding it to the Alberta Boilers Safety Association at deferrals@ABSA.ca after completion. Once the form is reviewed and accepted, the applicant will receive a signed copy to retain for their records.
Saskatchewan	The extension process is still currently under review. The CPA will update members once more information is available.
Manitoba	The province of Manitoba indicated that extension of PRV requirements: “May be considered on a case-by-case basis. Accordingly, the department is interested to hear how COVID-19 has affected member ability to comply with these requirements. To facilitate their analysis, they have asked that the CPA provide a list of all members, location of all their vessels, and an outline of the members proposed PRV replacement timeframe.” The CPA will not provide these specifics but members interested in an extension are invited to reach out to Cheryl Lashek, Director of Inspection and Technical Services for the Office of the Fire Commissioner, at 204-945-3328.
Ontario	The Technical Standards and Safety Authority has indicated it will examine the issue and provide it’s decision by March 19, 2021. The CPA will update members once more information on their decision is made available.
Québec	No response at this time.
New Brunswick	The province of New Brunswick indicated that: “An individual or company may request a variance from regulatory requirements. Variations, if granted, are specific to a single boiler or pressure vessel that has a current certificate of inspection and on a case-by-case basis.”
Prince Edward Island	Prince Edward Island believes that COVID-19 is no longer a concern. They stated that: “the Province is in good shape and functioning somewhat normally”.
Nova Scotia	No response at this time.
Newfoundland	The province has advised that they will not grant a blanket extension at this time. They request that members individually contact Service NL in compliance with their previous request for a detailed list of tanks and their projected replacement schedule.

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