General Info

Three distinct types of Inspectors certificates are issued by ABSA:

• In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate of Competency (ISI-BPVPP).
  • The holder of the In-service Inspector Certificate of Competency (ISI-BPVPP) is authorized to perform integrity assessment of pressure equipment (boilers, pressure vessels and pressure piping) as designated by his/ her employer under the employer’s quality management system Certificate or Authorization Permit issued pursuant to the Pressure Equipment Safety Regulation.

• In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate of Competency (Pressure Vessels and Pressure Piping) (ISI-PVPP).
  • The holder of the In-service Inspector Certificate of Competency (Pressure Vessels and Pressure Piping) (ISI-PVPP) is authorized to perform integrity assessment of pressure vessels and pressure piping as designated by his/her employer under the employer’s quality management system Certificate or Authorization Permit issued pursuant to the Pressure Equipment Regulation.

• In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate of Competency (Pressure Piping)(ISI-PP).
  • The holder of the In-service Inspector Certificate of Competency (Pressure Piping) (ISI-PP) is authorized to perform integrity assessment of pressure piping as designated by his/her employer under the employer’s quality management system Certificate or Authorization Permit issued pursuant to the Pressure Equipment Regulation.

The holder of an appropriate certificate is only qualified to carry out certification if the work is performed within the scope of an Owner-User Program.

The certification process includes an evaluation of the candidates education, experience and third party certification. Prerequisites include certification by the Safety Codes Council, the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors or the American Petroleum Institute. Most candidates will also be required to pass an Inspector Certification Examination.

The Inspector Certification Examination will verify the candidate’s knowledge of Alberta pressure-equipment-related legislation and general knowledge about the codes and standards referenced in the legislation. The syllabus for the examination is available in AB-526.

“In-Service pressure equipment” refers to pressure equipment (as defined in the Safety Codes Act) for which all manufacturing requirements and certifications have been completed.

An In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector is a person who holds a valid ABSA “In-Service Pressure Vessel Inspectors Certificate of Competency” or an “In-Service Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors Certificate of Competency”.  The authority of an In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector is limited to the scope permitted under their ABSA certificate of competency and their employer’s ABSA-accepted Quality Program.

It is important for in-service pressure equipment inspectors to keep up-to-date regarding applicable codes and standards. The inspector should visit the ABSA website on a regular basis to review Alerts and Information Bulletins as well as The Pressure News articles. These contain information directly related to their duties, or may detail applicable changes in codes, standards, or inspection requirements.

An In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspectors duties within the scope of their employer’s Integrity Management System (Owner-User) Program may include:

• perform the duties of the person who is responsible for the owner’s integrity assessment program (person who meets the
• qualifications of Chief Inspector)
• supervise in-service pressure equipment inspectors
• perform installation inspections of new or relocated pressure equipment
• inspect and certify in-service pressure equipment
• approve inspection reports, inspection procedures, and inspection and test plans, as specified in their employer’s Owner-User Program prepare and file detailed inspection reports for all pressure equipment, and submit summary inspection reports to ABSA in a timely fashion (the summary reports comprise the owner’s certification that the equipment is safe for operation for the period specified in the summary report)
• inspect and certify pressure equipment repairs (Pressure Equipment Repair and Alteration Requirements, AB-513)

To perform any functions related to boilers, the inspector must hold a valid In-Service Pressure Equipment Inspector Certificate of Competency (ISI-BPVPP) and work within the scope of an Owner-User Program

The scope of an in-service inspectors certificate does not specifically include pressure piping. Owners of pressure piping system are responsible for maintaining their pressure piping systems under the accepted Owner-User Program. This would include inspections by an inspector qualified in accordance with the Owner-User Program.

To replace a lost certificate, please use AB-74.

ABSA is committed to providing services with impartiality. All employees are required to review and sign ABSA’s Impartiality and Confidentiality Agreement on an annual basis. Risks to impartiality are evaluated in accordance with ABSA’s Enterprise Risk Management Policy.

ABSA acknowledges its responsibility for the impartiality of its services and understands the importance of impartiality in carrying out its activities manages conflict of interest and ensures the objectivity of its activities.

ABSA is a not for profit organization, independent from commercial, financial or affiliation relationships.

ABSA policies and procedures are developed and implemented to ensure a fair and consistent application to all affected parties.

ABSA and its employees do not:

• engage in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, purchase, ownership, use, or maintenance of pressure equipment items inspected
• engage in activities that could compromise its impartiality
• seek to influence decisions that might further their private interests

ABSA and its employees do:

• provide formal compliance guidance or advice through the delivery of training seminars, and published documents
• provide informal and impartial advice to interested parties
• provide fair and consistent certification processes for applicants and candidates

INTRODUCTION :

As part of its role in administering Alberta’s pressure equipment safety programs under the Safety Codes Act, ABSA maintains recognized standards with respect to certification of applicants transferring from another region and/or country. In accordance with the Fair Registration Practices Act, ABSA makes application and certification requirements publicly available and allows for the submission of alternative proof of an applicant’s qualifications/credentials when original documentation is not available and/or accessible to the applicant.

PURPOSE :

On occasion, applicants may find themselves in exceptional circumstances, where retrieving or accessing original documents required for certification is made difficult or impossible. These circumstances may include—though are not limited to—war, natural disaster, cyber attack, and/or political persecution. ABSA has thus developed a policy that provides applicants the opportunity to submit alternative proof of qualification if they can demonstrate that adequate and sufficient attempts were made to procure documentation.   

POLICY :

In the event that original documentation cannot be obtained, ABSA may require that an applicant provide any or all of the following:

• a written explanation detailing efforts made to obtain original documents and why attempts to do so were unsuccessful
• copies of correspondence (letters, email, etc.) between applicant and relevant institutions that indicate applicant’s efforts to obtain original documents
• copies of documents directly from applicant or other available sources
• professional portfolio, including a detailed list of past employers (with contact information) and relevant courses/training
• letters/affidavits from verifiable personal, professional, and/or educational references

CONCLUSION :

Upon review of all material provided in lieu of original documentation, ABSA will evaluate if an applicant meets the required prerequisites or certification. If ABSA determines that further documentation is needed, the applicant may be instructed to submit additional information or, conversely, take part in supplemental training and/or a supervised period of practice.