As noted in ABSA Information Bulletin, IB10-004, which references CSA B51-09 Clause 8.2, flexible hose assemblies don’t need to be CRN registered in Alberta if they are manufactured to RMA IP-2, which is the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) Hose Handbook. If the rubber hose assembly doesn’t comply with this requirement, then it must be CRN registered under a design code such as ASME B31.3.
This clarification per the CSA B51-09 code is that the general interpretation of the 2003 CSA B51 allowed for common industry practice to follow the approach of “no registration”, with no standards, no QA, etc. Thus, with few exceptions, rubber hose assemblies currently in service (from IB10-004)
- lack a CRN,
- were produced by companies without appropriate quality control programs, which are required by CSA B51, as well as the Pressure Equipment Safety Regulation (AR 49/2006), and
- do not have the appropriate mark as required by Clase 5.4 of CSA B51 rules, and also required by the Alberta Regulations.
This recent change in ABSA’s approach is that they will now register hose assemblies that comply with RMA IP-2, if the manufacturer of the hose requests registration, whereas before they refused to.
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