Editor’s note: For the most up to date information on CAAR’s Equivalency and Temporary Certificates regarding the B620/622 changes please refer to Member Alert: Update on CAAR’s Equivalency Certificate and Temporary Certificate.

This is a reminder to members of the fertilizer industry that as of January 12, 2018, all ammonia nurse and applicator tanks mustbe in compliance with new Transport Canada regulations implementing CSA B620/622-14 Standards.

The new standards increase the frequency for hydro-static testing and for visual inspections. The standards set new requirements for the construction of new nurse and applicator tanks.

On July 12, 2017, the 2014 versions of the CSA B620 and B622 Standards (CSA B620/B622-14) were published in Canada Gazette Part 2, bringing them into regulation as part of Transport Canada’s International Harmonization Update, 2016 which aims to align their regulations more closely with the regulations in the United States and the United Nations Standards. The full regulatory update can be found at the link below:

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2017/2017-07-12/html/sor-dors137-eng.php

There was a transition period of six months from the date of publication to allow for the transition from the requirements under the CSA B620/B622-09 to the new requirements under the CSA B620/B622-14. Nurse and applicator tanks that do not meet the TC 51 specification under the CSA B620/622 Standard are required to change their testing frequencies to the following intervals:

  New B620/B622-14 Requirements Old B620/B622-09 Requirements
Visual Inspections Annually Every 2 to 3 years
Pressure Tests Every 3 years Every 5 years

CAAR recognized that these new testing frequencies will be problematic to the retail industry. As such, CAAR and Fertilizer Canada made great efforts to amend this requirement in the next revision of the CSA B620/622 Standard. The CSA B620 Technical Committee agreed to adjust the pressure testing frequency back to five years for nurse and applicator tanks that meet the following criteria:

• Are post-weld heat treated; and
• Have a Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) of 265 psi or a MAWP of 250 psi if it can be demonstrated that the tank was purposefully built for ammonia use.

This decision will be reflected in the next version of the CSA B620 Standard. CAAR has received an equivalency certificate through Transport Canada to implement this amended requirement, and revert the pressure testing frequency back to five years for nurse and applicator tanks that meet the criteria above. CAAR members can download a copy of the certificate here. Annual visual inspections will be mandatory as of January 12, 2018.

Recognizing the increased number of nurse and applicator tanks that will require pressure testing in the first year of compliance, CAAR and Fertilizer Canada are also working with Transport Canada towards a solution to extend the implementation phase for nurse and applicator tanks which do not meet the above criteria, and must be switched to a 3-year testing frequency.

CAAR will continue to communicate on this important issue to all members to ensure that you have the proper information to stay in compliance. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the coordinates below.

The CSA B620/B622 Standards set out criteria for the design and maintenance of Transport Canada-approved portable pressure tanks, including nurse and applicator tanks used in the application of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer on farm fields. Many of these tanks are towed on public roadways and are therefore covered under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR). CAAR is represented on the Technical Committee that discusses and revises the Standards on a periodic basis. Currently the Technical Committee is working on the next revision of these Standards (2018 version: B620-18, B622-18).

Inquiries:

Mitch Rezansoff
Executive Director
P: 204-989-9303
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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