Overview and Application of CSA B51 Standard

Objective 2 Explain the content and use of the CSA B51 Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code. Background One of the adopted CSA standards that apply to pressure equipment and piping is CSA B51. Established in 1939, CSA B51 has undergone many revisions. This code is essential for Power Engineers in the workplace and during examinations. SOPEEC permits the use of the current CSA B51 code and the PanGlobal Extract of CSA Standards (which contains part of the CSA B51 Code) during examinations. With each new edition, the Technical Committee reviews and revises the standard to meet the following a) Address technological change. b) Ensure safe boiler and pressure vessel design and installation. c) Ensure all jurisdictions have uniform requirements. The CSA’s Technical Committee on Boilers and Pressure Vessels works with other committees, such as ASME and the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) in both Canada and the USA, to keep the code up to date. The CSA standard makes reference to other standards and codes. For example, CSA B51 refers to standards published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the Manufacturer Standardization Society of the Valves and Fittings Industry (MSS). The Standard is divided into sections, subsections, and clauses. Please refer to the PanGlobal Extract of CSA Standards while studying this section. The code extract has far more detail than this chapter. Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code A CSA committee on boilers and pressure vessels produces this code. This committee consists of representatives from: • Provincial and territorial jurisdictions • Boiler and pressure vessel manufacturers • Insurance companies The committee is well qualified to make rules and regulations regarding boiler and pressure vessel construction and inspection. This code has two purposes. 1. It provides for the safe design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, testing, and repair of boilers and pressure vessels. 2. It promotes uniform requirements among the jurisdictions. 1 - Scope The scope lists the type of equipment to which this code applies, as well as exceptions. 2 - Reference Publications 3 - Definitions Various terms are listed and defined here. For example, the term Act is defined as meaning the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act, Regulation, or Ordinance of the respective jurisdictions. 4 - General Requirements 4.1 to 4.7 Administrative Requirements This section covers the requirements for registering boiler, pressure vessel, or fitting designs. It describes the Canadian Registration Number (CRN) system of provincial and territorial design registration. It gives examples of CRNs for vessels and flanges that are registered in different provinces or territories. Also discussed are the requirements for weld procedure qualification, manufacturers’ reports, and in-service repairs and alterations. 4.8 to 4.16 Technical Requirements This section covers: • • • • • • • Fabrication Inspection Quality control program implementation Non destructive examination Water tanks Liquefied petroleum gas services Piping testing and data reporting 5 - Identification This section covers the nameplate and stamping requirements for boilers and pressure vessels and related fittings. This includes original equipment or those with alterations. 6 - Boilers and Related Equipment • • • • • • Water gauges Low-water cut-offs Fusible plugs Vessel access Outlet dampers Blowoff vessels 7 - Pressure Vessels The pressure vessels discussed in this section include: • • • • Blowoff tanks Hot water tanks Hydropneumatic tanks Cushion tanks Also addressed are the requirements for vessels in: • Anhydrous ammonia service • Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) service • Natural gas service The CSA B51 also covers the specific requirements of buried pressure vessels. 8 - Piping and Fittings This section lists the standards which govern pressure piping and fittings. As well, the requirements for assembling and registering pipe fittings are covered. 9 - Refrigeration Equipment This section refers to the requirements of the CSA B52 Mechanical Refrigeration Code for: • • • • • Design Installation Inspection Testing Repair 10 - Pressure Coils in Petroleum and Chemical Plant Fired Heaters This section directs the user to other equipment standards that are specific to the petroleum and chemical industries. They include requirements for: • • • • • • Design Fabrication Installation Inspection Testing Repair 11 - Repairs and Alterations Before pressure equipment can be repaired or altered, there must first be approval by the regulatory authority in the jurisdiction where the equipment is used. Repair or alteration must also conform to the requirements of the equipment’s original design code.