What is a Canadian Registration Number (CRN)?

The Canadian Registration Number (CRN) is a number issued by each province or territory of Canada for a component (fitting), equipment or piping system. The CRN indicates that the design of the component (fitting), equipment or piping system meets the safety requirements outlined in the applicable codes, standards and regulations of that province or territory and the product is accepted for use. The province or territory is represented by a numeric digit or a letter following the decimal point after registration number, which indicates the location in which the design is registered to. The digits and letter corresponding to each province and territory are as following:

• 1 = British Columbia
• 2 = Alberta
• 3 = Saskatchewan
• 4 = Manitoba
• 5 = Ontario
• 6 = Quebec
• 7 = New Brunswick
• 8 = Nova Scotia
• 9 = Prince Edward Island
• 0 = Newfoundland
• N = Nunavut
• T = Northwest Territories
• Y = Yukon Territory

A product may be registered to more than one province or territory at same time. In this case, the first digit or letter after the decimal refers to the first registering province or territory. For example, a design registered first in Ontario and then in Alberta might be issued the number 4321.52

What are the categories of Fittings?

CSA B51.1 Table 1 states what type of products are fittings and separates them into different fitting categories for registration.

What requires a CRN registration?

Pressure equipment, including pressure vessels, boilers, piping and fittings, used in Canada requires a CRN registration. Equipment must be registered with a CRN before it is used. In general, if pressure equipment operates at a pressure greater than 15 PSIG it will likely require a CRN registration. In fact, unless a particular exemption applies to the equipment, a Canadian Registration Number is needed. Keep in mind, provincial and territorial governments have the authority to govern equipment safety in their region. Therefore, CRN registration requirements vary by province and territory. As a result, CRN exemptions are set out by provincial and territorial governments.

Pressure equipment, including pressure vessels, boilers, piping and fittings, used in Canada requires a CRN registration. Equipment must be registered with a CRN before it is used.

In general, if pressure equipment operates at a pressure greater than 15 PSIG it will likely require a CRN registration. In fact, unless a particular exemption applies to the equipment, a Canadian Registration Number is needed.

Keep in mind, provincial and territorial governments have the authority to govern equipment safety in their region. Therefore, CRN registration requirements vary by province and territory. As a result, CRN exemptions are set out by provincial and territorial governments.

When should I apply for a CRN?

If your equipment requires a Canadian Registration Number, you must apply for the CRN before the pressure equipment can be installed and used in Canada. In fact, it is wise to complete your CRN registration before the pressure equipment is in the final stages of design (i.e. before the equipment is built). This will ensure that you follow CSA B51 and other regulations without issue. In any case, to avoid unnecessary complications, make sure that your CRN registration is completed before any assembled equipment leaves the producer. If the equipment will not be assembled until after it leaves the manufacturer (e.g. the equipment must be assembled in the field), be sure the design has a Canadian Registration Number.

If your equipment requires a Canadian Registration Number, you must apply for the CRN before the pressure equipment can be sold, installed and used in Canada. In fact, it is wise to complete your CRN registration before the pressure equipment is in the final stages of design (i.e. before the equipment is built). This will ensure that you follow CSA B51 and other regulations without issue.

In any case, to avoid unnecessary complications, make sure that your CRN registration is completed before any assembled equipment leaves the producer. If the equipment will not be assembled until after it leaves the manufacturer (e.g. the equipment must be assembled in the field), be sure the design has a Canadian Registration Number.

What are the CRN Registration Fees?

Each Province charges a different fee for reviewing a CRN application and issuing the CRN for their province.

At Amoz Consulting, we offer a simple fees structure based on the number of CRN applications, their complexity and the provinces covered in the application. Our fee will include the provincial registration fees of all required provinces.

Contact us for a quotation.

Can anyone submit a CRN registration application?

In most provinces, the submission of pressure vessel drawings shall be reviewed and stamped by a Licensed Professional Engineer in Canada.

How long does it take to get a CRN number?

The answer to this question is difficult to answer. The length of time it takes to have a CRN issued depends on:

– Completeness of CRN Application.

– Complexity of the product being registered. 

– Province/territory that the CRN is being applied for in.

– Design reviewer at the jurisdiction reviewing your application.

– Backlog of CRN applications at the jurisdiction.

Also, some jurisdictions such as Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia will review your application on a expedited basis if additional fees are paid. CRN numbers can be issued as quickly as one week but sometimes can take up to 6 months.

By using our services, you ensure that your application is complete and minimize the risk your application will be returned or delayed due to questions from the regulator.

Who issues CRN Numbers?

CRN numbers are issued by the Regulatory Authority in each of the provinces/territories in Canada.

What is design pressure?

Per ASME Section VIII-1 Appendix 3, design pressure is “the pressure used in the design of a vessel component together with the coincident design metal temperature, for the purpose of determining the minimum permissible thickness or physical characteristics of the different ones of the vessel.  When applicable, the static head shall be added to the design pressure to determine the thickness of any specific zone of the vessel.”

Per ASME Section VIII-1 Appendix 3, design pressure is “the pressure used in the design of a vessel component together with the coincident design metal temperature, for the purpose of determining the minimum permissible thickness or physical characteristics of the different ones of the vessel.  When applicable, the static head shall be added to the design pressure to determine the thickness of any specific zone of the vessel.”

What is MAWP?

Per ASME Section VIII-1 Appendix 3, MAWP (maximum allowable working pressure) is “the maximum gage pressure permissible at the top of a completed vessel in its normal operating position at the designated coincident temperature for that pressure.  This pressure is the least of the values for the internal or external pressure to be determined by the rules of Division 1 for any of the pressure boundary parts, including static head thereon, using nominal thicknesses exclusive of allowances for corrosion and considering effects of any combination of loadings listed in the code that are likely to occur at the designated coincident temperature.“

Per ASME Section VIII-1 Appendix 3, MAWP (maximum allowable working pressure) is “the maximum gage pressure permissible at the top of a completed vessel in its normal operating position at the designated coincident temperature for that pressure.  This pressure is the least of the values for the internal or external pressure to be determined by the rules of Division 1 for any of the pressure boundary parts, including static head thereon, using nominal thicknesses exclusive of allowances for corrosion and considering effects of any combination of loadings listed in the code that are likely to occur at the designated coincident temperature.“