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Owner-User Program

Owner Responsibilities

Under the Safety Codes Act, owners are responsible for ensuring that their pressure equipment meets the requirements of the Act and regulations, and that it is maintained and operated in a safe manner.

Owner-User Pressure Equipment Integrity Management Program (OUP)

Owners of pressure equipment may be required to develop, implement, and have certified, an Owner-User Pressure Equipment Integrity Management Program (PEIMP), commonly called an Owner-User Program (OUP).

Source: The Pressure Equipment Safety Regulation, section 37(b), requires an owner of pressure equipment to have an integrity management system in place for the pressure equipment and section 11(3) establishes that the Administrator may require the owner of pressure equipment to hold a certificate of authorization permit.

Inspection Program

The owner is responsible for periodic integrity assessment of all pressure equipment to ensure its safe operation. This is a key activity that must be covered in an owner-user Integrity Management Program.

Inspection and Servicing Intervals

(The "Inspection & Servicing Requirements Document" AB-506), referred to as the "ISRD," establishes the requirements for inspection practices, and the maximum inspection and servicing intervals for pressure vessels and safety valves.

Repairs And Alterations

The Repair and Alteration Requirements (AB-513) establishes the requirements for owner-user certified repairs.

Owner-user certification is limited to repairs of equipment on their plant sites, within the permitted scope that is defined in their accepted owner-user manual. ABSA Safety Codes Officers are responsible for inspecting and certifying all alterations, all repairs done at shop facilities, and all repairs that are not inspected and certified by owner-users.

All repairs and alterations to ASME Section VIII, Div. 2 and Div. 3 vessels must be inspected and certified by an ABSA Safety Codes Officer. All repair of alteration procedures for such vessels must be accepted by ABSA's Design Survey Department prior to the commencement of the work.

Pressure Relief Devices

The ISRD contains tables which define maximum pressure relief valve servicing intervals. All requirements in the ISRD must be met.

In-Depth Information

The documents listed below (available in ABSA Forms) contain important information about Owner-User Programs.

• DIRECTIVE - Certification of In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspectors (IB02-002 Rev.1)
  This directive applies to all persons who certify in-service boilers or pressure vessels that are subject to the Safety Codes Act and to persons who perform certain other duties under an accepted owner-user program. The authority and responsibility of the holder of an In-Service Inspectors Certificate of Competency, and the activities for which certification is mandatory are described.

• Owner-User Pressure Equipment Integrity Management Requirements (IMR) (AB-512)
  This document establishes the information that must be covered in an owner-user's Integrity Management System manual when it is required to be submitted to ABSA pursuant to the Act. Practical advice to assist owners to meet the requirements and implement an effective and efficient Integrity Management System and promote consistency in evaluating Integrity Management Systems is also provided.

• Alberta Repair and Alteration Requirements (AB-513)
  This document covers requirements for repairs and alterations of pressure equipment under the Safety Codes Act.

• Risk-Based Inspection Programs for Pressure Equipment (AB-505) (RBID)
  This document defines the minimum requirements for the development and use of risk-based inspection (RBI) to manage the safety of pressure equipment operating in Alberta. While an RBI program is not mandatory in Alberta, a company who chooses to apply RBI in this context must meet the requirements specified in this document.

• Inspection and Servicing Requirements for Pressure Equipment (AB-506) (ISRD)
  This document covers the requirements for determining inspection practices and establishes maximum inspection/servicing intervals for pressure equipment and pressure relief devices under the Safety Codes Act.

• Guidelines for the Inspection of Installed Fired Heaters (AB-507)
  This document presents a technical overview and information concerning inspection assessment, repair, and replacement of installed fired heaters components. Although it is recognized that fired heaters in Alberta generally have a good safety record, there have been several failures; and in some instances, there may be a basis for concern, especially in light of the trend to extending the life of such heaters.

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