FAQs
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What is a generic CRN design?
A generic CRN design describes variable dimensions, materials, and feature locations of pressure equipment. For example, a generic vessel CRN design can generally describe a variable shell length, all possible nozzle locations and sizes, together with proximities of nozzle groups etc.* For vessels, generic designs cannot vary the head shape, shell diameter, maximum pressure, maximum temperature, or minimum temperature. For generic fittings, many options are allowed, generally enabling you to register a whole series of fittings with one generic drawing specifying a range of dimensions, materials, and even design pressures.* *Each situation is somewhat unique and requires careful consideration. Other restrictions may apply subject to regulator acceptance. Read More... -
What is B31.3?
B31.3 is the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) code for process piping. This code outlines the requirements for materials, design, fabrication, assembly and erection of piping systems. The proper examination, inspection, and testing of piping is also covered by B31.3. The piping systems governed by this code include those that contain fluids. Typically, these piping systems are found in:- • Petroleum refineries
- • Chemical plants - applies to the piping of raw, intermediate, and finished chemicals
- • Pharmaceutical plants
- • Textile plants
- • Paper plants
- • Semiconductor plans
- • Cryogenic plants
- • Processing plants, etc.
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What is B31.1 piping?
B31.1 is the ASME code for power piping. B31.1 was developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and is used worldwide. This code outlines proper methods for the installation, inspection, and maintenance of power piping systems. ASME B31.1 also provides requirements for the operation, design, materials, fabrication, erection, and testing of piping systems. The piping systems governed by this code are commonly found in:- • Stations generating electric power
- • Industrial plants
- • Geothermal heating systems
- • Other heating and cooling systems
- • Manufacturers
- • Mechanical Engineers and Designers
- • Operators
- • Owners of piping systems, etc.
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What is the difference between ASME B31.1 and B31.3?
The biggest difference between ASME B31.1 and B31.3 is their requirements. In fact, although these codes are often used in conjunction, they vary significantly in their CRN registration requirements.
Some of the most common differences between ASME B31.1 and B31.3 include scope, allowable strengths, unlisted material specification, non-service hydro pressure testing, pneumatic pressure testing, service testing, alternatives to pressure testing, radiography and ultrasonic testing, minimum design metal temperature (MDMT) and impact testing requirements.
Although these codes differ extensively, equipment that meets ASME B31.1 and B31.3 requirements is possible to design and develop. Products that meet both standards can also receive CRN registration. The benefit of designing and registering equipment that meets all requirements is that it can be sold to a larger number of buyers. Read More... -
What is the difference between ASME vs API?
The difference between ASME vs API is that ASME standards hold more weight than API standards. That is, adherence to ASME standards is required for CRN registration. On the other hand, API specifications are only recommended practices. The ASME, or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, provides codes that govern the safety of mechanical equipment. These codes are meant to provide overarching specifications for mechanical engineering applications. The API, or the American Petroleum Institute, on the other hand, produces recommended guidelines. In most cases, these standards are simply intended to encourage safety. Most commonly, these guidelines are directed at offshore structures that are used by oil and gas companies. Read More... -
What is power piping vs process piping?
The difference between power piping vs process piping has to do with the type and quality of matter that each system transports.
Power piping refers to piping systems that are used to distribute high-pressure steam, high temperature and high-pressure water, compressed air etc. Typically these piping systems will be found in buildings that generate electric power, industrial plants, as well as heating and cooling systems.
On the other hand, process piping is used to distribute liquids, gasses and chemicals. Commonly, process piping is installed in petroleum refineries, chemical plants, pharmaceutical plants, textile plants, paper plants, semiconductor plants, and cryogenic plants, as well as other processing plants.
Regarding ASME codes, ASME B31.1 governs the design, development, installation, use and testing of power piping systems, while ASME B31.3 is intended to be applied to process piping systems. CRN training will further address these specifications. Read More... -
CRN training from Cammar Corp. Is there any available?
Is there CRN training available from Cammar Corp? Absolutely. Cammar Corporation provides standard or customized training, for your staff, in relation to CRN registration and topics listed here or others. We have the experience to prepare and deliver it. We don't stop at simply outlining the requirements of codes and regulations. CAMMAR training will also address how to fix and revise designs, and answer regulatory questions, pursuant to proper CRN registration. We do more than alert you if one of your designs is non-compliant. We will work to discuss how you can fix it, to bring it into compliance pursuant to CRN registration, which is more than what many courses will do. Training typically occurs over one or two days for select topics, to audiences of five or more persons. Certificates of attendance are issued upon completion of training.Standard Training
We have several prepared modules available for presentation on very short notice, that cover most commonly sought after information, including:- Regulations;
- Adopted codes;
- Referenced standards;
- CRN number registration design requirements;
- The Canadian Registration Number process (CRN registration); and
- Registration harmonization issues.
Customized Training
Training can be tailored to address specific topics of interest or importance, to you the cutomer, to accomodate attendees' level of experience or specific designs or regulatory applications of interest. Only members of your company need to be in attendance, so proprietary matters confidential to your company need not be shared with others. This will permit a wide open discussion, full of questions that can be answered, and a valuable learning experience.Training Location
Training can be online, or in-person, at your request. Facilities for in-person training are often provided by the client for convenience, and so that they can control the expenses as much as possible.Costs
Unlike many other courses available these days, our course prices benefit customized training for individual companies, with fixed pricing regardless of the number of attendees. More attendees will not cost your company more. For more details on training please visit our Canadian Registration Number (CRN) Training page. Read More... -
What is a CRN (Canadian Registration Number)?
Where is CRN formatting described?
So what is a CRN? CRN stands for Canadian Registration Number, as defined in CSA B51. The use of CRNs is a way for regulators to keep track of and document pressure equipment design concepts across jurisdictional boundaries in Canada, to help establish design ownership and responsibility. Canadian Registration Numbers (CRN numbers) identify unique pressure equipment design concepts for use in Canada, and must meet regulatory requirements. Each design concept has a unique number. One Canadian Registration Number can represent millions of individual items, each with a different serial number, that all conform to the CRN design. CRN's are unique to Canada, and require an independant review of pressure equipment designs, pursuant to public safety. There are 13 independent jurisdictions in Canada, each with their own set of statutes and regulations that govern pressure equipment. Canadian provincial regulatory authorities have cooperated to help ensure CRN numbers are tracked nationwide, and identifiable across provincial boundaries. CRN numbers are required to be stamped on equipment or, in the case of very small fittings, trackable with other identification markings, in accordance with MSS-SP-25. CSA B51, the Canadian “Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code”, describes the required rules of CRN use in detail. Part 1, Clause 4 specifies that pressure fittings, pressure vessels, and boilers are assigned CRN numbers with the acceptance of regulatory authorities in provinces where the equipment is to be used.How do Fitting, Boiler, and Vessel Numbers Differ?
Vessel and boiler CRN numbers never start with a “0”. Fitting CRN numbers always do. All CRN numbers have a decimal point that follows the prefix assigned by the regulatory authority. For fittings, the letter following the “0” in the prefix corresponds to CSA B51 Table 1, and is used by regulatory authorities at their discretion to categorize the fitting according to type: A – pipe fittings B – flanges C – line valves D – flexible connections E – strainers, filters, separators, traps F – instrumentation G – over pressure protection devices H – items not in categories A to G 4-5 characters in the prefix precede the decimal, are sequentially assigned by the regulatory authority. For vessels, an alphanumeric (unless the registration is really old) starts the CRN, and four digital characters precede the decimal. Following the decimal, the geographical region in which the design was first registered is identified with a character listed in Clause 4.3.2.: 1 British Columbia 2 Alberta 3 Saskatchewan 4 Manitoba 5 Ontario 6 Quebec 7 New Brunswick 8 Nova Scotia 9 Prince Edward Island 0 Newfoundland Y Yukon T Northwest Territories U Nunavut The prefix, decimal, and character after the decimal identifies a unique design. To indicate all of Canada, the letter “C” is subsequently used. To indicate all regions in Canada which require registration, the “CL” is used. Subsequent digits identify other regions in which the design has been registered, in no particular order. Here are some examples of CRN numbers: 1. B1234.256 pressure vessel design initially registered in Alberta, and also registered in Quebec and Ontario 2. B1234.265 same CRN number as noted in 1 above despite reversal of “65” 3. B1234.465 pressure vessel design different from items 1 and 2, and registered first in Manitoba 4. 0B1234.265 flange design registered first in Alberta 5. 0B1234.165 flange design different from that identified in item 4, and registered first in British Columbia 6. 0B1234.2C flange design as noted in item 4, but registered in all Canadian regions 7. 0B1234.2CL flange design as noted in item 4 above, but registered in all Canadian regions except those where registration is not required For more information about CRNs, check this out! Give Cammar Corporation a call to discuss any CRN requirement questions that you might have! Read More... -
How can CAMMAR help get a CRN Registration
For Starters,... Take a Step Towards Necessary CRN Registration
To help you, we'll being by getting to know you and your CRN registration situation better, what your challenges are, what CRN registrations you want to acquire, and which equipment if any that you need to get CRN numbers for. CRN numbers aren't required in every situation. Sometimes, your client, purchasing departments or a project manager do not know what the requirements are. And there's no value in incurring unnecessary expenses, time, and effort to get a CRN registration, if you don't need to get one. And if you do need CRN registration, we'll go through what you need to have in hand, before you go any deeper....and Then, Take Next Steps
Many companies want to put a non-disclosure agreement in place before divulging any details, and that's totally fine with us... as long as the NDA only relates to non-disclosure of proprietary information! You'd be surprised at how many NDA's try to include a bunch of other stuff and, out of frustration, we put together a blog about NDA's and what they should include, and what they shouldn't. For example, if we were to engage with your company to assist you in acquiring a CRN, as a professional engineering corporation, CAMMAR has a professional practice management plan that we adhere to, in accordance with statutory requirements. We obviously cannot agree to do anything illegal, against our professional associations' ethics. Whatever pressure equipment you need a CRN registration for, whether it is a fitting, pressure vessel, boiler, or piping system component, CAMMAR can help with the design and evaluation so it complies with the governing adopted codes, standards, and regulations. In other words, we can help your design meet CRN requirements, as referenced in CSA B51 and jurisdicitional regulations. Various types of companies and projects ask for CAMMAR's CRN assistance, ranging from huge international end users and manufacturers, to relatively local companies. Their needs are the same: quality design is needed so that CRN registration is as solid as possible, and so that owners can be best assured that they are fulfilling their regulated responsibilities. Though regulators accept designs for CRN registration, they do not take any ownership or responsibility for the design; so the owner needs to pay even more attention to design detail than the regulator does. And unfortunately, not every owner, not every end-user, understands this. Many end users seem to think that regulator acceptance means regulator approval, but it doesn't, of course. Whether help to oversee a large project that includes multiple pieces of pressure equipment, or the manufacture of a single small fitting, CAMMAR provides detailed expertise and direction as needed, to get the job done properly. CAMMAR Corporation assists clientele by providing comments, oversight, and appropriate insight pursuant to proper CRN registration in accordance with good engineering practice, applicable code, and regulation requirements. And though CAMMAR cares about your equipment like you do, we do not control it. Only you do. Tailored CRN training sessions can be put together by CAMMAR to address your specific CRN topics, to help your company meet its needs. We can help you learn how to properly acquire CRN number registration, and to properly evaluate or redesign your pressure equipment. Remember, unless a pressure equipment design is exempt from legislation requirements, it needs to be properly registered with a CRN (Canadian Registration Number) before it can be legally operated. And to get it registered, it needs to comply with the related regulations and meet CRN requirements. We can help you do this. Read More… Read More...