Operational Airworthiness
Certification of Pressure Vessels Canada - U.S. Bilateral
(This notice supersedes AN No. B034 Edition 2, dated 28 November 1996)
Purpose
This notice is to inform interested parties that the bilateral airworthiness agreement between Canada and the United States does not cover the hydrostatic testing of aircraft pressure vessels. Consequently, test facilities, a unique system of regulation is required. This AN identifies the procedures and standards for approval to perform this work in Canada and in the United States.
Background
Transport Canada is negotiating with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for agreement on the mutual recognition of Canadian and U.S. approvals for pressure vessel testing. However, until agreement can be reached whereby either country can test and certify pressure vessels for installation in the other nation's aircraft, pressure vessels intended for use in U.S. registered aircraft must be tested in accordance with U.S. requirements, while pressure vessels intended for use in Canadian registered aircraft must be tested in accordance with Canadian requirements.
Standards for Approved Organizations
Organizations engaged in the hydrostatic testing and internal inspection of pressure vessels (including those organizations that already hold approved organization certificates issued pursuant to CAR 573) must also be approved by the Transport Canada Dangerous Goods Directorate at the address listed below. The standards to be referred to are:
- Canadian Standards Association CSA-B340-97, "Selection and Use of Cylinders, Spheres, Tubes and Other Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Class 2";
- National Standard of Canada CAN/CSA-B339-96, "Cylinders, Spheres and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods";
- United States, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA Order 8000.4D, "Maintenance of Pressure Cylinders in Use as Aircraft Equipment"; and
- United States, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 ss173.34, "Qualification, Maintenance and Use of Cylinders", and referred parts, sections or subsections.
Application for Approval
Application for approval should be made to:
Transport Canada, Safety and Security
Dangerous Goods Directorate
Attention: Director ASDD
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street, 9th Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
American companies that can meet the applicable criteria may also apply for approval by the same process.
Requirement for Canadian companies to register in the United States
Canadian companies wishing to carry out testing of aircraft cylinders for use in U.S. registered aircraft are required to obtain U.S. DOT approval and, if eligible, to test cylinders in accordance with U.S. DOT recommended standards.
Approval can be obtained through application to:
Chief, Approvals Branch (DHM-32)
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
For Minister of Transport
D.B. Sherritt
Director, Aircraft Maintenance
and Manufacturing