Revisions to the Fuel Safety Regulations : NS Labour and Advanced Education, Fuel Safety

Fuel Safety Bulletin 2006-04

October 16, 2006

Subject: Revisions to the Fuel Safety Regulations

Since the Fuel Safety Regulations were first introduced in 2000, industry, and the Fuel Safety Board have been tracking them in an effort to keep them up to date. The regulations have been newly revised (approved by Order in Council on September 29, 2006) and are much easier to read and interpret. The new regulations also address a number of issues, raised by industry, which had created some minor problems in the past. Some of the changes made to the regulations are as follows;

  1. Oil included- Oil burning appliances and equipment have now been included in the list of fuels regulated by the Fuel Safety Regulations. The regulations now automatically adopt the latest version of the CSA B139 Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment and Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education becomes the Authority Having Jurisdiction for this code. The Regulation will now define what equipment may be installed and by what standard this equipment must be installed. It will also give Fuel Safety Inspectors the authority to inspect oil installations and issue orders and tickets.

    Impact:
    • As of this date, the CSA B139-04 Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment is in effect in Nova Scotia.
    • All installations must comply with the requirements of the CSA B139 Code.
    • Any change made to the burner or control system of a certified appliance (boiler, furnace, water heater, etc.) voids it’s certification and makes it illegal for use in this province.
  2. Fuel Safety Board - Membership on the Fuel Safety Board will be expanded to include two (2) new members “with experience in the oil industry”.
  3. Gas Technician Licensing - In order to promote the cross-border mobility of labour, we are adopting licensing for Gas Technicians. The qualifications for receiving this license are a valid Gas Fitter certificate as issued by the Department of Education, “or other substantially equivalent qualification approved by the Chief Inspector.” This will allow technicians with the same level of training to come in from other partnering provinces. It will also allow Nova Scotia technicians to work in other provinces. This will mean the start of, what will eventually become, an interprovincial designation for the trade. Application forms are available online. This license will come into effect on January 1, 2007 and will be required after that date.
  4. Liquid Propane Endorsement - Under the old system, only a Gas Fitter 1 could work on anything utilising liquid propane. This new “LP” endorsement will be a required add-on to any Gas Technician license and will allow any qualified, licensed Gas Technician 1 or 2 to work on this equipment. Proof of training to CSA Module 25, or an accepted equivalency, will be required for this endorsement. Please submit this documentation to the Chief Inspector.
  5. Gas Installation Registration - If an installation is:
    • in a domestic residence (1 or 2 family dwelling unit),
    • has a total btu load of 250,000 btu or less, and
    • includes only certified equipment,
    the new installation, or any change to an installation, may be registered, instead of permitted. This will, in the near future, allow internet-based registration and mean that there will be no waiting for permit numbers on these small installations. Service Nova Scotia will inform all licensed companies when this service becomes available.
    Note: Any change to an installation must be either permitted or registered. We will no longer allow a change of supplier or appliance to go undocumented.
  6. 3-year terms for gas licenses and certificates - Over the next 3 years, we will be phasing in a system of 3-year renewals for your Fuel Safety Licenses and Certificates. Please watch your renewal letters this fall for further details.
  7. Class B, C, D and E Gas certificates - The time-in-training requirements for these certificates has changed to reflect industry standards. For more information, please see the Fuel Safety Regulations.
  8. Gas Green Tag - Additional information is now needed on the green tag. This information should include the contractor's name and license number.
  9. Inspector powers - Fuel Safety Inspectors have now been designated as Provincial Inspectors under the Fire Safety Act. As such, we have, and may exercise, all the powers, authorities and immunities of a peace officer under the Criminal Code of Canada. With this new designation, Inspectors will be able to issue Summary Offence Tickets (SOT). Offences for which a SOT can be used are listed in the schedules to the Summary Ticket Regulations which are made pursuant to the Summary Proceedings Act. A listing of these offences, and their corresponding fines, is available online.
    Inspectors are also empowered to require the production of any records of a gas license holder that the inspector considers necessary to ensure the proper administration of the license or compliance with the regulations.

These are only a few of the most important changes to the regulations. The regulations have a whole new look, making them much more readable. The complete text of the new Fuel Safety Regulation may be viewed and downloaded online.

Sincerely,

Dale C. Stewart
Chief Inspector - Fuel Safety