DHA AND HAC

Regulatory Framework

The regulatory framework for grain processing related projects in Western Canada is comprised of federal, provincial and municipal legislation.  Although there are many additional regulations that apply to any project, the most common issues that arise relate to 5 areas:

Building Code (national or provincial, depending on jurisdiction). The building code defines occupancy ratings, which in the case of grain processing is almost always F1, high hazard industrial. The consequences of this rating are many, particularly with how the facility is constructed in order to manage fire risk.

Fire Code (national or provincial, depending on jurisdiction). The fire code needs to be understood in conjunction with the building code. For grain related projects, section 5.3 Dust Producing Processes (includingthe referenced NFPA codes) is the part of the code that causes most of the unanticipated delays and extra costs.

Environment (national and provincial). Sites in towns or cities often have extra scrutiny around grain dust emissions compared to rural locations. Rural sites may require extra water and species at risk evaluation. Environmental regulations often have a large impact on design requirements and schedule.

Development/Building Permits (municipal). Municipal codes usually regulate permitted land use, site configuration, building height, etc. Local bylaws may also deal with sound, odors, traffic volume, and a host of other operational considerations.

Electrical (national code, provincial enforcement). Under the Canadian Electrical Code, grain processing sites are often considered hazardous locations, which affects the type of electrical equipment that can be installed and what certifications are required.

Services

As a process engineering firm, we understand the importance of dust collection systems for both risk management and operational performance. We know how the process equipment functions, and what reasonable air volume requirements are for Western Canadian grains. We understand Canada's climate and the implications it has for the selection of appropriate system components.

Whether you need assistance with the design of a new dust collection system, the integration of existing components, improvement of an installation that isn't working as well as expected, or someone to interface with a regulator, we have the experience and knowledge to help.

 

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3080 85 St SW, Calgary  T3H 6C7 403.629.7499