In Fitting CRN Registrations, any fitting that is part of a pressure piping system or attached to a pressure vessel or boiler, usually requires CRN registration, unless exempt.
What a Fitting Is
The term ‘fitting’ includes pretty much all components of a piping system except the pipe itself and external supports. Pipe is considered material, and does not need a CRN. Components often needing a CRN include fittings such as elbows, couplings, reducers, flanges, valves, expansion joints, hose assemblies, strainers, filters, separators, steam traps, instrumentation, pressure gauges, transducers, safety relief valves, rupture disks, fusible plugs, and small pressure vessel shaped fittings < 6 inches in diameter are subject to fitting CRN registrations requirements.
Per CSA B51, fittings needing CRN registration are put into the following categories:
A – pipe fittings
B – flanges
C – all line valves
D – flexible connections
E – things that separate stuff, like steam traps, filters, and strainers
F – measurement devices
G–over pressure protection devices
H–all other fittings
Exemptions from CRN Registration
Exemptions from CRN registration vary across jurisdictions.
In general, sometimes fittings are exempt from CRN registration if the pressure equipment to which they are part of is exempt from registration. If a pressure vessel or boiler is exempt from CRN registration, then fittings that are part of the equipment are also exempt from CRN registration. Sometimes, even for pressure piping, the premise applies. In Alberta and Ontario, if a pressure piping system is exempt from piping registration, then fittings are sometimes exempt from CRN registration.
For example, in Alberta (ABSA), piping system component fittings are exempt from CRN registration if the associated pressure piping system is:
- sized only less than 2 inch NPS,
- has a maximum allowable working pressure not exceeding 1035 kPa,
- has a design temperature between -29C and 186C,
- contains only relatively innocuous fluids (like air, nitrogen, argon carbon dioxide, steam, hot water, or glycol), AND
- is constructed to an applicable adopted ASME code.
By contrast, in Ontario (TSSA), piping system component fittings are exempt from CRN registration if the pressure piping system they are in never exceeds ¾” NPS and contains only air.
And sometimes, though the pressure piping system is exempt from registration, exemption for all components fittings does not necessarily follow, depending on the exemption. For example, in Alberta, if a pressure piping system is exempt from registration due to its aggregate volume being less than 0.5m3, it does not follow that fitting components in the associated piping system are exempt from CRN registration. Similarly, in British Columbia (TSBC), if a pressure piping system is exempt from registration since it is sized 3” NPS or less, it does not follow that all associated fitting components are exempt from fitting CRN registrations.
Categorical Fitting CRN Exemptions
Each Canadian pressure equipment jurisdiction has its own exemptions and directives. For example, and per the summary Table noted below, some jurisdictions are uninterested in registering entire categories of fittings, subject to some requirements. British Columbia does not require registration of most Category A, B,C and G fittings, per Directive D-B-2013-03, if they are used in accordance with and in compliance with the applicable standards listed in in ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.5, or B31.9. Alberta has no such exemptions from CRN registration, Saskatchewan exempts Category A,B,C and G fittings in a manner similar to British Columbia. So does Manitoba (ITS Bulletin OFC ITSM 18-001). Ontario has no such exemptions from registration. In Quebec, category A, B, C fittings that meet a nationally recognized standard do not need to be registered with a CRN, but design records are to be retained for Quebec (RBQ) verification. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut have no such exemptions from fitting CRN registration.
Summary of Categorical Exemptions from Fitting CRN Registration
| JURISDICTION | REGULATOR / REGISTRAR | CATEGORY EXEMPTIONS FROM FITTING CRN REGISTRATION | CONDITIONS OF EXEMPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | TSBC | A, B, C, G | Note 1 |
| Alberta | ABSA | none | NA |
| Saskatchewan | TSASK | A, B, C, G | Note 1 |
| Manitoba | ITS | A, B, C, G | Note 1 |
| Ontario | TSSA | none | NA |
| Quebec | RBQ | A, B, C | Note 1 |
| New Brunswick | Gov of NB / ACI | none | NA |
| Nova Scotia | Gov of NB / ACI | none | NA |
| Prince Edward Island | Gov of NB / ACI | none | NA |
| Newfoundland | Gov of NB / ACI | none | NA |
| Yukon Territory | Gov of NB / ACI | none | NA |
| Northwest Territories | Gov of NB / ACI | none | NA |
| Nunavut | Gov of NB / ACI | none | NA |
Note 1: use in accordance with and in compliance with the applicable standards listed in in ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.5, or B31.9. Category G fittings must be marked with an appropriate ASME or NB stamp.
Despite the broad strokes painted above, each situation and equipment design must be carefully considered on its own merits. CAMMAR Corporation provides clientele with insightful assistance. And though it is unlikely that CAMMAR Corporation’s opinion will differ from the regulators’ perspective since our foundational experience from working at ABSA provides good enviable insight into the Canadian regulatory system, regulators do have the last say as to whether pressure equipment is to be registered with a CRN or not. CAMMAR assists clientele like you, by providing insightful comments, and assistance pursuant to proper CRN registration in accordance with good engineering practice, applicable code, and regulation requirements.
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