CAAR and Fertilizer Canada have been working intensively with two working groups under the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B620 Technical Committee, seeking resolution to changes in the 2014 B620 and B622 standards for construction of new anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks, and increased frequency of pressure testing and visual inspection for nurse tanks.

CAAR and Fertilizer Canada have participated in multiple working group calls since January 2017, and Delaney Ross Burtnack of CAAR joined Giulia Brutesco of Fertilizer Canada and Steve Biggar of Richardson International on April 12 for an in-person meeting with Transport Canada’s Regulatory Affairs Branch, TDG and the engineering team. The meeting focused on the regulatory process relating to the implementation and development of the CSA B620 Standard, and the implications to the ammonia sector.

Discussions have been progressive, and both working groups are expected to develop a proposal for consideration at the B620 Technical Committee level to be voted on this June. If passed, the changes will be included in the next version of the B620 and B622 standards in 2018. CAAR and Fertilizer Canada are working closely with Transport Canada and the working groups to also find an interim solution that will apply to the 2014 standards when they are adopted into the regulations by Transport Canada, which is expected to happen after June 2017.