Alberta Regulation 168/2002 Safety Codes Act CERTIFICATION AND PERMIT REGULATION Filed: August 7, 2002 Made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (O.C. 365/2000) on August 7, 2002 pursuant to section 65 of the Safety Codes Act. Table of Contents Interpretation 1 Part 1 Required Permits Electrical permit required 2 Separate permits 3 Building permit required 4 Plumbing or sewage permit required 5 Gas permit required 6 Accredited corporation exemption 7 Part 2 Permit Eligibility, Conditions Division 1 General Provisions Application requirements 8 Eligibility evidence 9 Transfer of permits 10 Emergency work 11 Term of a permit 12 Refusal to issue or cancellation 13 Deviation from plans 14 Determination of fees 15 Refunds 16 Division 2 Agency-Permit Agency-permit 17 Buildings Building permit requirements 18 Additional site information 19 Invoice, plans returned 20 Building documents 21-848 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Plumbing Plumbing permit eligibility 22 Plans, specifications request 23 Private sewage permits 24 Water and sewer service permits 25 Gas Gas permit eligibility 26 Lines and tanks 27 Plans, specifications request 28 Electrical Electrical permit eligibility 29 Minor electrical repairs permit 30 Contract Permits Contractor permit 31 Applicant s qualifications 32 Permit to issue 33 Records 34 Registration form 35 Work confirmation 36 Division 3 Hook ups Water utility connection 37 Gas utility connection 38 Electrical utility connection 39 Part 3 Certificates Plumbing certificate 40 Master electrician certificate qualifications 41 Master, restricted master certificate 42 Restricted master electrician work 43 Certificates to be displayed 44 Exam 45 Fee 46 Electric certificates 47 Rural wireman work 48 Rural wireman certificate 49 Rural wireman ID card 50 Replacement certificate 51 Work area 52-849 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Part 4 Repeal, Expiry and Coming into Force Repeal 53 Expiry 54 Coming into force 55 Interpretation 1(1) In this Regulation, (a) Act means the Safety Codes Act; (b) Administrator means an Administrator appointed under the Act with respect to the applicable discipline; (c) Alberta Building Code means the Alberta Building Code 1997 declared in force pursuant to the Building Code Regulation (AR 50/98); (d) Alberta Electrical and Communication Utility Code means the Alberta Electrical and Communication Utility Code, 1999 declared in force as amended by the Electrical Code Regulation (AR 208/99); (e) authorized contractor means a person who operates a business and holds a contractor permit; (f) certificate means a certificate of competency issued pursuant to section 42 of the Act; (g) contractor permit means a contractor permit issued under Part 2; (h) Electrical Code means the Canadian Electrical Code Part I, Eighteenth Edition, CSA Standard C22.1-1998, declared in force and as amended by the Electrical Code Regulation (AR 208/99); (i) electrical installation means the installation of any wiring in or on any land, building or premises from any point from where electric power or energy is delivered to or on the land, building or premises by a supply authority or by any other source of supply to any point where the electrical power or energy can be used in or on the land, building or premises by any electrical equipment and means the connection of any of the wiring with the electrical equipment and any part of the wiring and means the maintenance, alteration, extension and repair of the wiring; (j) electrical utility system means electrical equipment used and maintained by a supply authority to generate, transform, distribute and deliver electrical power or energy in the course of its business; - 850 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (k) electrical work means the installation, repair and maintenance of an electrical system designed to provide heat, light or power in or on buildings and premises; (l) electrician means a person who holds a trade certificate as an electrician under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act; (m) farm means land of 20 acres or more used for farming operations by a person who derives from the farming operation on that land an income sufficient to provide a livelihood; (n) gas installation means any piping, venting system, appliance, component, accessory or equipment used to process, transmit, store, distribute, supply or consume gas; (o) homeowner means a person registered as the owner of the fee simple estate of land who resides or, with respect to a residence that is under construction, intends to reside in a free standing single family residence located on the land; (p) minor electrical repairs means electrical work, performed on an existing electrical installation, that is required to facilitate the ongoing operation of an establishment in which the nature of the business or activity necessitates the performance of that electrical work on short notice; (q) permit means a written authorization issued under section 44 of the Act to proceed in whole or in part with work referred to in this Regulation; (r) permit issuer means a safety codes officer and a person designated pursuant to section 44 of the Act to issue permits; (s) plumbing equipment means any fixture, piping, appliance, equipment or material used or to be used in connection with a plumbing system; (t) registration form means a form or other means of maintaining records of work conducted, as prescribed by an Administrator; (u) rural wireman means a person who holds a rural wireman certificate; (v) safety control circuit means an electrical circuit that, on failure to operate, could cause a life or fire hazard; (w) supply authority means an individual, partnership, corporation or other organization that supplies electrical power or energy; (x) work means the construction, control or operation of a thing or the supervision, operation or undertaking of a process or activity. - 851 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (2) Definitions in a code or standard or body of rules declared in force under the Act apply to the words used in this Regulation. PART 1 REQUIRED PERMITS Electrical permit required 2(1) A permit is required to carry out work to which the Electrical Code applies. (2) Despite subsection (1), a permit is not required for the following: (a) electric railways and motor car wiring, car houses and passenger and freight stations used in the operation of electric railways that are supplied with electric current from a railway power circuit; (b) aircraft; (c) the facilities used and directly associated with the operation of coal mines and metalliferous and industrial mines and quarries, to which the Mines Safety Regulation (AR 292/95) applies; (d) self-propelled marine vessels except where those vessels are stationary for periods exceeding 5 months and are connected continuously or from time to time to a supply of electricity from shore; (e) recreational vehicles or mobile homes that are manufactured on a repetitive assembly line basis and that are approved by a certification agency acceptable to the Administrator; (f) electrical installations related to an elevating device; (g) extra low voltage, Class 2 electrical circuits unless they are safety control circuits or circuits installed in areas classified as hazardous in the Electrical Code; (h) areas of Alberta where the Government of Canada has jurisdiction for the enforcement of electrical safety requirements; (i) electrical work performed in replacing fuses, receptacles, switches and utilization equipment with proper units of a similar type where the replacement can be made without other modifications to the electrical installation being required. Separate permits 3 A separate permit must be obtained for each electrical installation on which specified electrical work is to be performed. - 852 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Building permit required 4(1) A permit is required for the following if the Alberta Building Code applies to it: (a) the construction of a building, including the alteration, renovation or addition to a building; (b) the relocation of a building; (c) the demolition of a building; (d) a change in occupancy of a building. (2) Despite subsection (1), a permit is not required for the following: (a) a detached garage on a farm or acreage, used to house livestock or to store or maintain equipment, materials or produce associated with the operation of the farm; (b) a building to be constructed within a plant by a manufacturer who has a quality assurance program acceptable to an Administrator; (c) construction that does not exceed $5000 in prevailing market value and where matters affecting health or safety or the use of solid fuel burning appliances is not involved; (d) painting or decorating; (e) occupying a building. (3) Despite subsection (1), a building permit is not required with respect to the relocation of a relocatable industrial accommodation if the accommodation is at the relocation site for a period not exceeding 28 days. Plumbing or sewage permit required 5 A permit is required to install, renew, remove or change any plumbing equipment or a plumbing system, except (a) to disconnect a plumbing system from a private sewage disposal system and connect it to a municipal sewer, (b) to connect a plumbing system in a building, mobile home or factory assembled building to a municipal water service or a municipal sewer service, or (c) for the repair or maintenance of a plumbing system or private sewage disposal system or for the renewal or change of any fixture, water heater, faucet, trap or valve, if there is no change to the piping system. - 853 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Gas permit required 6 A permit is required to install, alter or make an addition to any gas installation unless the gas installation is (a) designed to provide alternate or principal carburation on a motor vehicle, (b) designed to provide conditioned air in a cargo transport unit, (c) in or on a recreational vehicle, (d) a replacement of a gas dryer or gas range if there is no design change made to the gas piping or venting system, (e) within a mobile home that is being manufactured on a production line basis and is subject to a quality assurance program acceptable to an Administrator but the mobile home shall not be connected to a gas supply unless a permit is issued in respect of that connection, (f) a connection to replace a residential water heater or a residential heating appliance, (g) a relocation, by a gas utility company, of a natural gas meter from the interior to the exterior of a building, or (h) a new or replacement liquified petroleum tank with a capacity of not more than 300 litres, including the service line. Accredited corporation exemption 7 Despite sections 2 to 6, an accredited corporation is not required to issue itself a permit to carry out work that comes within its accreditation. PART 2 PERMIT ELIGIBILITY, CONDITIONS Division 1 General Provisions Application requirements 8 A person making application for a permit must do so in a form satisfactory to the permit issuer and the application when completed must (a) clearly state the address and location of the premises at or in which the work for which a permit is required is to be performed, (b) state the name and address of the owner and occupant and the use or proposed use of the premises, (c) provide the name, address and area of expertise of any person responsible for the design of the work, - 854 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (d) state the prevailing market value of the work if required by the safety codes officer for calculating the cost of the permit, (e) contain information, satisfactory to a safety codes officer, regarding the technical nature and extent of the work to be carried out and the anticipated completion date, (f) state the name, complete address and certificate number, if any, of the applicant, contractor or both required to hold a certificate of competency under the Act, (g) contain the signature of the applicant, and (h) be accompanied by the applicable fee. Eligibility evidence 9 A permit issuer may require an applicant to produce evidence of the applicant s eligibility to be issued a permit under this Part. Transfer of permits 10(1) A permit is not transferable to any other person unless the transfer is authorized by written permission of an Administrator or a safety codes officer. (2) Despite subsection (1), a contractor permit is not transferable. Emergency work 11 Despite Part 1, a safety codes officer may, on request of an owner or contractor, allow work that requires a permit to proceed before a permit is obtained if, in the opinion of the safety codes officer who is authorized to issue permits in that discipline, the work is required to be done on an emergency basis. Term of a permit 12(1) A permit, other than a minor electrical repairs permit and a contractor permit, expires if the work to which it applies (a) is not commenced within 90 days from the date of issue of the permit, (b) is suspended or abandoned for a period of 120 days, or (c) is in respect of a seasonal use residence and the work is suspended or abandoned for a period of 240 days after the work is commenced. (2) A permit in the building discipline may (a) state the period of time a building intended for temporary use is permitted to exist in a particular location, or (b) be issued for part of the work. - 855 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (3) On receipt of a written application, a safety codes officer may in writing extend a period of time under subsection (1) only once for up to an additional 90 days, if the permit has not expired when application for extension is made. (4) Despite subsections (1) and (3), the term of a contractor permit is one year from the date it is issued or renewed. Refusal to issue or cancellation 13 A permit issuer may refuse to issue a permit in accordance with section 44 of the Act for reasons including but not limited to the following: (a) in the case of an addition, the existing work does not comply with the Act or the regulations, or a code, standards or body of rules declared to be in force under the Act; (b) incorrect information is submitted with respect to the permit or the work under the permit; (c) information submitted, including designs, is inadequate to determine compliance with the Act and the regulations; (d) in the opinion of the safety codes officer, work for which the permit would be or has been issued would or does contravene this or another enactment; (e) the permit fee has not been paid. Deviation from plans 14 No person shall deviate or authorize a deviation from any plan or specification submitted with respect to a permit, without first obtaining the written permission of a safety codes officer. Determination of fees 15 A safety codes officer may estimate the cost of construction, and request an applicant for a permit to provide a written estimate, documentation or verification of labour and material costs and other relevant information relating to the construction for the purpose of determining prevailing market value and calculating the permit fee in accordance with those costs and values. Refunds 16(1) The holder of a permit may apply in writing, before the expiry date of the permit, to the permit issuer who issued the permit or to the permit issuer s delegate for the refundable portion of the fees with respect to a cancelled or unused permit. (2) A refund is not required to be made if (a) the permit has expired, (b) the process or activity has commenced, - 856 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (c) an extension of the permit has been granted, (d) the permit is not returned to the permit issuer who issued it or to the permit issuer s delegate, or (e) a receipt for the amount of money refunded is not provided. Division 2 Agency-Permit Agency-permit 17 An agency-permit is a permit that may be issued to a person with respect to work in the electrical, plumbing, private sewage disposal, gas or building discipline for which a permit is required by this Regulation if the person meets the eligibility requirements of this Regulation unless an accredited corporation, accredited municipality or accredited regional services commission is authorized to administer the Act with respect to the appropriate discipline in the relevant location or the work may be carried out by an authorized contractor or the contractor s employee pursuant to a contractor permit. Buildings Building permit requirements 18(1) An applicant for a permit in the building discipline must submit 2 sets of plans and specifications with the application for a permit that show the proposed work. (2) Despite subsection (1), plans and specifications are not required to be submitted with an application for permit if the buildings are to be manufactured in a plant for which there is a quality assurance program acceptable to the Administrator. (3) Plans and specifications submitted by the applicant must (a) be drawn to scale on substantial paper, (b) be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the proposed work, (c) show enough detail to enable a safety codes officer to determine whether they comply with the regulations and the codes, standards and body of rules declared in force under the Act, (d) state the building address, the name and address of the owner of the building, the name and address of the person who prepared the designs and, when an agent represents the owner, the name and address of the agent, and (e) include a site plan showing the actual dimensions of the property and the location of the proposed work in relation to the property lines and other buildings on the same property. - 857 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Additional site information 19 If requested by a safety codes officer, the applicant must submit an up-to-date plan of survey or real property report prepared by a registered Alberta land surveyor showing the information required by section 18(3)(e). Invoice, plans returned 20 If an application meets the requirements of the Act and regulations, the permit issuer may issue an invoice for the processing fee and must return the plans and specifications filed with the application to the applicant. Building documents 21(1) An applicant must ensure that one copy of the permit and all plans and specifications required to be submitted in an application for the permit with respect to the building discipline are available at the construction site at all reasonable times for inspection by a safety codes officer. (2) A permit holder must ensure that a permit in the building discipline is posted at the construction site. Plumbing Plumbing permit eligibility 22(1) A permit issuer may issue a permit in the plumbing discipline to a person who holds a trade certificate as a plumber issued under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act. (2) A permit issuer may issue a permit in the plumbing discipline to a person to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of or addition to any plumbing or private sewage system within residential premises owned and occupied by that person if the carrying out of that installation, alteration or addition does not in any manner interfere with any installation under the control of the operator of a public water supply system or for which the operator is responsible. (3) A permit issuer may issue a permit under this section to a farmer to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of or addition to any plumbing system that is located on the farmer s farm and that is not intended for public use. Plans, specifications request 23 A safety codes officer, prior to issuing a permit for work to be performed in the plumbing discipline, may request the submission of plans and specifications for any proposed work. Private sewage permits 24 A permit issuer may issue a permit in the plumbing system discipline to a person to install private sewage disposal systems and water and sewer service piping if the person holds a certificate of competency in the plumbing discipline with the letters PS endorsed on it. - 858 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Water and sewer service permits 25 A permit to install, alter or repair water and sewer service piping may be issued to a person who holds a certificate of competency in the plumbing discipline with the letter R endorsed on it. Gas Gas permit eligibility 26(1) A permit issuer may issue a permit in the gas discipline to a person who holds a trade certificate as a gasfitter issued under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act. (2) A permit issuer may issue a permit in the gas discipline to (a) a person to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of or addition to any gas installation on or within residential premises owned and occupied by that person, or (b) a farmer to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of or addition to any gas installation that is located on the farmer s farm and that is not intended for public use, if the carrying out of that installation, alteration or addition does not, in any manner, interfere with any gas installation under the control of a supplier or for which a supplier is responsible. Lines and tanks 27 If a person has satisfactorily completed a course of training acceptable to the Administrator, a permit issuer may issue a permit to the person (a) for the installation of liquefied petroleum tanks if that person s occupation is the installation of liquefied petroleum tanks, or (b) for the installation of natural gas service lines if that person s occupation is the installation of natural gas service lines. Plans, specifications request 28 A safety codes officer, prior to issuing a permit with respect to the gas discipline, may request the submission of plans and specifications for any proposed work. Electrical Electrical permit eligibility 29 A permit issuer may issue a permit with respect to an electrical system to the following: (a) to a master electrician; (b) to a restricted master electrician; (c) to a rural wireman; - 859 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (d) to a homeowner for construction of an electrical system on the home owner s residential premises (i) if the ampacity of the service or equivalent does not exceed 100 amperes, and the system voltage does not exceed 300 volts, (ii) if only that person and immediate family members permanently reside or, in the case of a residence under construction, will permanently reside in that premises, (iii) if the construction will not in any way interfere with electrical system or property belonging to another person, and (iv) if any assistance is required, it will be provided by family members only working without remuneration; (e) to a farmer or rancher for construction of an electrical system for his own use within any building or structure located on his farm or ranch (i) if the ampacity of the service or equivalent does not exceed 100 amperes, and the system voltage does not exceed 300 volts, (ii) if the construction will not in any way interfere with the electrical system or property belonging to another person, and (iii) if any assistance is required, it will be provided by family members only working without remuneration; (f) to an owner or operator of an establishment that employs at least one full-time electrician to perform minor repairs for the establishment, whether or not the establishment is located on single or multiple premises; (g) to the owner of a mobile home or recreational vehicle to allow a power connection to be made to the mobile home or recreation vehicle located on private premises, other than mobile home or recreational vehicle parks, if a letter of authorization is received from the owner of the premises; (h) to an owner, operator or designate of a power line construction company or an electrical utility that employs certified power electricians or power linemen for construction of an electrical utility system governed by the Alberta Electrical and Communication Utility Code; (i) to the owner of a home located or to be located on leased land for construction of an electrical system on his residential - 860 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES premises if a letter of authorization is received from the lessor of the land; (j) to a certified electrician for construction of an electrical system for a community hall or church if (i) the construction is being performed without remuneration, and (ii) in the case of a church, the electrician is a member of the church. Minor electrical repairs permit 30(1) A permit issuer may issue a permit to perform minor electrical repairs to an owner or operator of premises where a full-time electrician is employed or a master electrician or a restricted master electrician is to be employed to perform the minor repairs. (2) Minor electrical repairs may be performed only on the premises stated on a minor electrical repairs permit and only during the period of time specified on the permit. (3) A minor electrical repairs permit may be issued for up to a full calendar year to authorize minor electrical repairs stated on the permit at the site identified on the permit. (4) A minor electrical repairs permit does not entitle the holder to perform electrical work other than the minor electrical repairs stated on the permit. (5) The holder of a minor electrical repairs permit may obtain a permit under section 29 for other electrical work in or in an addition to, the establishment if the holder meets the requirements of this Regulation for that permit. (6) The holder of a minor electrical repairs permit must maintain at the site stated on the permit a record of all minor repairs undertaken pursuant to the permit and must make the record available to a safety codes officer, on request, for 2 years following the repair. Contractor Permits Contractor permit 31(1) A person may undertake work pursuant to a contractor permit if the person meets the requirements of this Part and the person (a) holds a contractor permit, or (b) is employed by a person who holds a contractor permit. (2) A person described in subsection (1)(b) is not required to hold a permit under Part 1 to undertake work authorized by the contractor permit. - 861 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (3) A person may operate as an authorized contractor only if the person holds a contractor permit. (4) A contractor permit is a permit to undertake work on gas installations, plumbing and private sewage disposal systems. Applicant s qualifications 32(1) The following may apply for a contractor permit in the gas or plumbing discipline: (a) a person who (i) holds or employs a person who holds a certificate as a safety codes officer in the gas discipline or the plumbing discipline with respect to which the applicant is applying for a contractor permit, (ii) has at least 3 years experience operating a business in the discipline for which the person is applying for a contractor permit, and (iii) submits a letter from a safety codes officer to the best of the safety codes officer s knowledge, attesting to the amount and type of work conducted by the applicant in the last 2 years in the discipline for which the application for a contractor permit is being made, (b) a person who (A) confirming that there are no outstanding corrections listed in inspection reports issued by the safety codes officer exceeding 60 days in duration within the last 12 months that are the responsibility of the applicant, (B) confirming that no orders have been issued pursuant to the Act against the applicant within the last 2 years, and (C) confirming that no work conducted by the applicant within the last 2 years has been left in an unsafe condition resulting in a danger to life or property; (i) has at least 3 years experience in operating a business in the gas or plumbing discipline for which the applicant is applying for a contractor permit, (ii) has, or employs a person who has, at least 2 years experience as a journeyman so that the combination of years of business experience in the gas or plumbing discipline plus years of journeyman experience is not less than 7, - 862 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (iii) has successfully completed, or employs a person who has successfully completed, the Interpretation and Application of the Safety Codes Act Training Course or the challenge examination for that course, and (iv) holds, or employs a person who holds, (A) a trade certificate as a gasfitter under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, (B) a trade certificate as a plumber under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, or (C) a certificate of competency in the plumbing discipline with the letters PS endorsed on it and the contractor permit relates to a private sewage disposal system if the person submits a letter from a safety codes officer (v) attesting, to the best of the safety codes officer s knowledge, the amount and type of work conducted by the applicant in the last 2 years in the discipline, for which the application for a contractor permit is being made, (vi) confirming that there are no outstanding corrections listed in inspection reports issued by the safety codes officer exceeding 60 days in duration within the last 12 months that are the responsibility of the applicant, (vii) confirming that no orders have been issued pursuant to the Act against the applicant within the last 2 years, and (viii) confirming that no work conducted by the applicant within the last 2 years has been left in an unsafe condition resulting in a danger to life or property. (2) The terms and conditions that may be included in a contractor permit may, in accordance with section 44(2) of the Act, include but are not restricted to the terms and conditions of work and the work or class of work that the authorized contractor is permitted or prohibited from undertaking. Permit to issue 33 A safety codes officer may, in accordance with section 44 of the Act, issue a contractor permit or a renewal of a contractor permit to an applicant who (a) meets the requirements of section 32(1), (b) submits a completed application in a form provided by an Administrator, - 863 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (c) pays the fee as set out in the ministerial fees order under section 64 of the Act, (d) submits a quality management system that meets the requirement of section 39 of the Act, (e) satisfies an Administrator that work performed pursuant to a contractor permit will be carried out in accordance with the regulations and the codes, and standards and body of rules declared in force under the Act, (f) provides evidence of being in the business to which the contractor permit relates for at least 3 years, and (g) provides an exemplary work record of safety and compliance with the regulations and the codes, standards and body of rules declared in force under the Act confirmed by a safety codes officer employed by the Government or an accredited municipality. Records 34 An authorized contractor must keep an accurate record of the qualifications of persons, described in section 32(1)(a)(i) and (b)(ii), (iii) and (iv), employed under the contractor permit, and must produce that record to a safety codes officer in accordance with section 35 of the Act. Registration form 35(1) The holder of a contractor permit must maintain records of all work conducted and provide that information as required by an Administrator by means of a registration form satisfactory to an Administrator. (2) The fee for each registration form is the amount set out in the Ministerial fees order under section 64 of the Act. Work confirmation 36 If required by an Administrator, an authorized contractor must provide verification, satisfactory to the Administer, that the work carried out by the authorized contractor complies with the Act and the regulations. Division 3 Hook ups Water utility connection 37(1) The operator of a public water supply system shall not connect the water service from the public water supply system to any new plumbing system until the permit issued in respect of that plumbing system is presented to the operator. (2) The operator of a public water supply system may refuse to connect the water service from the public water supply system to a plumbing - 864 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES system if, in the opinion of the operator, connecting it could create a hazard to life or property. (3) The operator of a public water supply system shall not turn on the water service from the public water supply system if the operator is notified by a safety codes officer that the plumbing system is not approved or that turning it on could create a hazard to life or property. Gas utility connection 38(1) A supplier of gas shall not connect or supply gas to any new gas installation until the permit issued in respect of that gas installation is presented to the supplier by the person applying for the service. (2) Despite subsection (1), a safety codes officer may authorize a supplier of gas to connect a new gas installation and supply gas to it even though that permit issued in respect to that gas installation has not been presented to the supplier of gas. (3) The issuance of a permit under this Regulation to install, alter or make an addition to a gas installation does not obligate a supplier of gas to connect a gas installation to a gas supply system if, in the opinion of the supplier or his agent, the connection would create a hazard to life or property. (4) Any permits presented by the applicant for service to a supplier of gas must be retained by the supplier. Electrical utility connection 39(1) A supply authority shall not connect or allow its electrical system to be connected to a consumer s electrical installation unless the supply authority has received a copy of, or confirmation of, a permit issued under this Part. (2) A supply authority must retain the copy of a permit referred to in subsection (1) for 2 years from the date the supply authority receives the copy and must make the copy available to a safety codes officer on request. (3) The presentation of a permit referred to in subsection (1) to a supply authority does not obligate the supply authority to supply electrical energy if, in the opinion of the supply authority, the supplying of electrical energy would create a hazard to life or property. PART 3 CERTIFICATES Plumbing certificate 40(1) The Administrator may issue a certificate of competency in the plumbing discipline to a person who has training in private sewage systems or in water and sewer service piping, satisfactory to the Administrator. - 865 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (2) The Administrator may (a) state the term of the certificate of competency, (b) state the type of private sewage system or water and sewer service piping, for which the holder of the certificate may obtain permits based on the training of the holder of the certificate, and (c) endorse the certificate of competency with the letters PS or the letter R. (3) The Administrator may (a) issue a duplicate certificate of competency if the Administrator is satisfied that the original has been lost, destroyed or mutilated, and (b) renew a certificate of competency if the applicant is qualified to hold the certificate of competency. Master electrician certificate qualifications 41 A master electrician certificate must be issued to an electrician who (a) holds a trade certificate as an electrician under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, (b) for a minimum of 3 years has held (i) a trade certificate as an electrician under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, (ii) a provincial journeyman electrician certificate of proficiency issued by a province other than Alberta, or (iii) a restricted master electrician certificate and has been actively engaged in electrical contracting and meets the qualifications for trade certificate as an electrician under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, (c) has paid the appropriate fee, (d) has attained 75% in the master electrician examination, and (e) is able to provide a satisfactory performance record with the Government s, an accredited municipality s or an accredited corporation s electrical inspection organization. Master, restricted master certificate 42(1) The term of master electrician certificate or restricted master electrician certificate is (a) one year from the date of issue, or - 866 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES (b) for a period of not less than one year as specified by the Administrator. (2) Subject to the renewal provisions of subsection (3), the Administrator shall not issue any restricted master electrician certificates. (3) The Administrator may renew a master electrician certificate or restricted master electrician certificate. Restricted master electrician work 43 A person who holds a restricted master electrician certificate may engage in electrical work with respect to electrical installations of not more that 300 volts between conductors with an ampacity of not more than 200 amperes. Certificates to be displayed 44 The holder of a master electrician certificate or of a restricted master electrician certificate must (a) prominently display it at the holder s place of business or employment, or (b) have it available to be produced immediately on the request of the Administrator or a safety codes officer. Exam 45(1) The examination for a master electrician certificate may be partly or wholly in writing and must consist of questions relating to the following subjects: (a) safety regulations pertaining to the public and to employees; (b) public responsibility; (c) regulations pertaining to apprenticeship, certification and permits; (d) layout and interpretation of design; (e) code rule interpretation; (f) installation of wiring to appropriate standards; (g) electrical theory. (2) A candidate for an examination under subsection (1) must be allowed a period of 7 hours to complete the examination. (3) A person who fails to pass an examination under subsection (1) is not eligible to write a similar examination for a period of 6 months from the date of the previous attempt except with the permission of the Administrator. - 867 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Fee 46 An examination fee may be refunded if (a) unavoidable circumstances prevent a person from attending the examination, or (b) for any reason, satisfactory to an Administrator, a person is unable to take the examination after having paid the examination fee. Electric certificates 47(1) If an Administrator issues a person a master electrician certificate or a renewed restricted master electrician certificate, the Administrator must also issue an identification card in a form satisfactory to the Administrator. (2) The Administrator may issue a duplicate certificate to replace a master electrician certificate or a renewed master electrician certificate if (a) the certificate has been or (i) lost, (ii) destroyed, or (iii) mutilated, (b) the name of the certificate holder has been altered by a legal change of name. Rural wireman work 48 A person who holds a rural wireman certificate may, in an area of Alberta where the services of electricians are not readily available to the public, engage in electrical work in residences, farm buildings and similar structures, if the service ampacity does not exceed 100 amperes and 300 volts single phase. Rural wireman certificate 49 The term of a rural wireman certificate is one year from its date of issue and it may be renewed on its expiry and on subsequent expiry of renewals subject to (a) satisfactory compliance with the Act, and (b) the services of electricians not being readily available to the public in the area in which the certificate holder is performing electrical work. - 868 -
ALTA. REG. 168/2002 SAFETY CODES Rural wireman ID card 50 If the Administrator issues a person a rural wireman certificate, the Administrator must also issue an identification card and the certificate and card must indicate the status of the holder and the area in which the holder may do electrical work. Replacement certificate 51 The Administrator may issue a duplicate certificate to replace a rural wireman certificate that has been accidentally destroyed or mutilated. Work area 52 The Administrator may adjust the area in which a rural wireman may perform electrical work. PART 4 REPEAL, EXPIRY AND COMING INTO FORCE Repeal 53 The following regulations are repealed: (a) Electrical Permits and Inspection Fees Regulation (AR 61/82); (b) Certification of Electrical Workers Regulation (AR 60/82); (c) Regulations Governing the Certification of a Rural Wireman (AR 59/70); (d) Regulations Governing Gas Permits and Inspection Fees (AR 204/74); (e) Gasfitter s Certification Regulation (AR 149/79); (f) Authorization to Apply for a Permit Regulation (AR 293/92); (g) General Regulation (AR 210/92); (h) Building Permit Regulation (AR 202/91); (i) Permit Regulation (AR 186/95). Expiry 54 For the purpose of ensuring that this Regulation is reviewed for ongoing relevancy and necessity, with the option that it may be repassed in its present or an amended form following a review, this Regulation expires on October 31, 2007. Coming into force 55 This Regulation comes into force on November 1, 2002. - 869 -
ALTA. REG. 169/2002 SAFETY CODES ------------------------------ Alberta Regulation 169/2002 Safety Codes Act PRESSURE WELDERS REGULATION Filed: August 7, 2002 Made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (O.C. 366/2002) on August 7, 2002 pursuant to section 65 of the Safety Codes Act. Table of Contents Definitions 1 Prohibitions 2 Certificates of Competency Types of certificates 3 Issuance of certificate 4 Duplicate certificate 5 Performance qualification cards 6 Making certificates available 7 Expiry dates 8 Qualifications, Examinations and Equivalencies Grade B certificate examination 9 Grade C certificate examination 10 Grade C certificate issued to apprentice 11 Grade C equivalents 12 Examination required 13 Machine welding operator examination 14 Welding examiner certificate examination 15 Welding examiner equivalents 16 Welding examiner renewal 17 Performance Qualification Tests Conducting tests 18 Applying to take test 19 Failed test 20 Testing organization 21 Performance review of testing organization 22 Miscellaneous Identification of weldments 23-870 -
ALTA. REG. 169/2002 SAFETY CODES Repeals, Expiry and Coming into Force Repeal 24 Expiry 25 Coming into force 26 Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) Act means the Safety Codes Act; (b) Administrator means the Administrator with respect to the pressure equipment discipline appointed under the Safety Codes Act; (c) machine welding operator means a person who holds a Machine Welding Operator Certificate of Competency issued pursuant to this Regulation; (d) performance qualification card means a card that is part of a certificate of competency and is issued to a pressure welder or machine welding operator pursuant to this Regulation; (e) performance qualification test means a performance qualification test required by the Administrator and conducted by a safety codes officer or testing organization, as provided for in this Regulation; (f) pressure welder means a person who holds a Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency issued pursuant to this Regulation; (g) pressure welding means welding performed on a boiler, pressure vessel, pressure piping system or fitting; (h) testing organization means an organization authorized by the Administrator to test candidates for the performance qualification card portion of a certificate of competency, with respect to welding pressure vessels, boilers, pressure piping systems and fittings and welding methods; (i) welding examiner means a person who holds a Welding Examiner Certificate of Competency issued pursuant to this Regulation. Prohibitions 2(1) No person shall weld a boiler, pressure vessel, pressure piping system or fitting by any method, unless the person holds a certificate of competency, including a performance qualification card, that specifically authorizes the person to weld the pressure vessel, boiler, pressure piping system or fitting and authorizes the method used by the person. - 871 -
ALTA. REG. 169/2002 SAFETY CODES (2) No person shall direct a person to weld a pressure vessel, boiler, pressure piping system or fitting by any method, unless the person who welds holds a certificate of competency, including a performance qualification card, that specifically authorizes that person to weld the pressure vessel, boiler, pressure piping system or fitting and authorizes the method used by that person. (3) No person shall conduct a performance qualification test unless authorized to do so by this Regulation. (4) No person shall, pursuant to section 42 of the Act, issue a performance qualification card unless the person is authorized by the Administrator to do so on behalf of the Administrator. Certificates of Competency Types of certificates 3(1) The following certificates of competency are established: (a) Grade B Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency; (b) Grade C Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency; (c) Machine Welding Operator Certificate of Competency; (d) Welding Examiner Certificate of Competency. (2) A Grade B Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency permits the holder to engage in pressure welding subject to the limitations prescribed in this Regulation and described on the performance qualification card held by the holder. (3) A Grade C Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency permits the holder to engage in pressure welding subject to the limitations prescribed in this Regulation and described on the performance qualification card held by the holder. (4) A Machine Welding Operator Certificate of Competency permits the holder to operate automatic welding machines or automatic welding equipment of a type described on the performance qualification card held by the holder. (5) A Welding Examiner Certificate of Competency authorizes the holder to conduct performance qualification tests on behalf of a testing organization while employed by that testing organization. Issuance of certificate 4(1) Pursuant to section 42 of the Act, a certificate of competency may be issued to a person who (a) passes the applicable examination for that certificate of competency, or - 872 -
ALTA. REG. 169/2002 SAFETY CODES (b) qualifies to be issued a certificate of competency without examination pursuant to this Regulation. (2) Pursuant to section 42 of the Act, a performance qualification card may be issued by a safety codes officer or a testing organization, if authorized to do so by the Administrator on behalf of the Administrator, to a person who passes a performance qualification test conducted by the safety codes officer or testing organization and on and after October 1, 2003 a performance qualification test conducted by the safety codes officer or a welding examiner employed by the testing organization. Duplicate certificate 5(1) If a certificate of competency, other than a performance qualification card, is lost or destroyed, a duplicate certificate of competency may be issued on providing evidence satisfactory to the Administrator of the loss or destruction of the original certificate of competency. (2) If a performance qualification card is lost or destroyed, a duplicate performance qualification card may be issued on providing evidence satisfactory to the safety codes officer or testing organization that issued the original performance qualification card of the loss or destruction of the original performance qualification card. Performance qualification cards 6 A performance qualification card must show all information required by the Administrator, including but not limited to (a) the name of the person to whom it is issued, (b) the welding process that the holder of the card is permitted to engage in, (c) the base material group and filler metal group the holder of the card is permitted to weld, (d) the thickness of the deposited weld metal the holder of the card is permitted to weld, (e) the positions and the minimum pipe diameter for which the holder of the card is qualified, (f) the date of the test, (g) the date that the card expires, (h) in the case of a performance qualification card issued by a testing organization authorized to do so by the Administrator on behalf of the Administrator, the name of the testing organization, (i) the signature and number of the testing organization s examiner who conducted the performance qualification test, - 873 -
ALTA. REG. 169/2002 SAFETY CODES (j) the progression of the weld, (k) whether backing was used, and (l) whether backing gas was used. Making certificates available 7 A pressure welder or machine welding operator, when engaged in pressure welding, must have readily available the certificate of competency including the performance qualification card authorizing the welder or operator to perform the type of pressure welding in which the welder or operator is engaged. Expiry dates 8(1) Subject to this section, a certificate of competency including a performance qualification card issued pursuant to this Regulation remains valid unless it is suspended or cancelled. (2) A Grade C Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency expires on the date stated on the certificate. (3) The expiry date of a Grade C Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency must be no later than 12 months following the date it is issued. (4) A Welding Examiner Certificate of Competency expires 3 years after the date it is issued. (5) A performance qualification card expires on the date stated on the card. (6) The expiry date of a performance qualification card must be no later than 24 months following the date it is issued. (7) Despite subsection (6), the expiry date of a performance qualification card issued to the holder of a Grade C Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency must be no later than the date on which the certificate of competency expires. (8) The expiry date of a performance qualification card issued to an employee of a manufacturer of boilers or pressure vessels with respect to a Grade B Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency or Machine Welding Operator Certificate of Competency may be extended by 6- -month periods while the employee is employed by the manufacturer if (a) the manufacturer is the testing organization that conducted the employee s performance qualification test, (b) the manufacturer maintains performance qualification records in accordance with the current ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX Welding and Brazing Qualifications, declared in force under the Act, - 874 -