The importance of jurisdictional inspections

Jurisdictional inspections are conducted in Ontario and Quebec. After a boiler or pressure vessel has been installed and put into service, jurisdictional inspections are required by provincial authorities on a periodic basis to verify that equipment is being operated and maintained in accordance with recognized standards and regulations.

These inspections may include a visual assessment of conditions including but not limited to materials, operating conditions, leaks, or corrosion and maintenance files, in addition to any other items required by law.

Examples of jurisdictional bodies include Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)[MSTB1]  and Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).

Boilers are typically either heating or process boilers, meaning they either provide heat or perform a specific process, such as producing steam for a dry cleaner.

Pressure vessels are essentially storage tanks for liquid or gas under high pressure, usually more than 15 psi. Examples of pressure vessels are water tanks, air tanks, autoclaves (steam sterilizers) and cryogenic liquid storage tanks.   

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has comprehensive and established codes and standards in place that cover all aspects of boilers and pressure vessels including their classification, design and construction. 

Jurisdictional inspections should be completed by certified inspectors. These inspectors must hold certification from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (National Board) and also have a certifications issued by the jurisdiction.

HSB takes these inspections seriously because we understand the destructive power of boilers and pressure vessels. HSB provides jurisdictional inspections of boilers and pressure vessels as a built-in benefit of all our Equipment Breakdown coverage programs.