Gas-Fired Boiler Assembly Certification for Canada

UL Solutions developed a new safety Standard for commercial-industrial gas-fired boiler assemblies in Canada. ULC/ORD-C795, Commercial-Industrial Gas-Fired Package Boilers, was developed using UL 795, Industrial-Commercial Gas Heating Equipment as a guide and will provide manufacturers of commercial industrial packaged boiler assemblies a relatively seamless transition to the new requirements. These new requirements will be similar to the former requirements, emphasizing the inherent and functional safety of new control technologies utilized in the boiler industry.

Gas-fired boiler applications

Gas-fired packaged boiler assemblies certified for Canada are typically used in residential applications or within commercial or industrial facilities. These boiler assemblies are to be installed in accordance with the markings on the equipment and the installation instructions. This information may include instructions pertaining to clearances, types of adjacent surfaces and proper vent installation, in addition to local codes.

Commercial and industrial packaged gas-fired boilers have historically been evaluated to CSA/CAN1-3.1,- Industrial and Commercial Gas-Fired Package Boilers. In the first quarter of 2020, notification was provided to the Standards Council of Canada by the proprietary Standards Development Organization (SDO) announcing the withdrawal of CSA/CAN1-3.1 and subsequently informing industry that certification to this document was finalized in the spring of 2022.

What this means for the industry

Packaged boilers heat nearly a quarter of the commercial floor space in Canada, and space heating is by far the biggest energy user in these and other commercial buildings. Typically, packaged boiler assemblies are installed in accordance with the markings on the equipment and the installation instructions in conjunction with national and local codes and the certification standard. This information may include instructions pertaining to clearances, types of adjacent surfaces and proper vent installation. The withdrawal of this standard has left a void in the Canadian market as boiler manufacturers and third-party certification bodies do not have a valid certification standard for boilers that utilize:

• Inlet gas pressure greater than 1/2 psi (3.45 kPa)
• Input rates greater than 12,500,000 Btu/hr. (3,663,389 W)
• High-pressure steam greater than 15 psi (103 kPa)
• High temperature water greater than 250°F (121°C)

UL Solutions worked with the Interprovincial Gas Advisory Council (IGAC) to develop a Canadian Other Recognized Document (ORD) based on UL 795 - Commercial-Industrial Gas Heating Equipment.

UL 795

The scope of the requirements of UL 795 apply to:

• Factory-built gas appliances having inputs of more than 400,000 Btu per hour per
• Individual combustion chamber, which require flame failure and other precautions, and are intended primarily for commercial and industrial installation

The appliances covered by the requirements include:

• Comfort heating furnaces
• Heaters
• Gas-fired boiler assemblies except watertube boilers, having outputs of 10,000 pounds of steam per hour or more
• High-pressure steam and high-temperature water gas-fired boiler assemblies regardless of Btu per hour input Gas-heating equipment covered by the requirements may be operated without a competent attendant being constantly on duty at the burners while the appliances are in operation.

Canadian standard requirements and market access

It is anticipated that the new Standard will provide manufacturers of commercial and industrial packaged boiler assemblies a relatively seamless transition to the new requirements.

Most boilers currently certified to CAN1-3.1 and UL 795 will also be in compliance with the newly developed Other Recognized Document (ORD). Continued development toward the publication of a new joint Canada-U.S. National Standard is ongoing in parallel.

Certification is necessary to compete in Canada. UL Solutions' certification staff can help you understand Canadian regulations, achieve product acceptance and obtain localized certification. In addition, we can also assist when your business takes you to other regions of the world.