Revisions Streamline Fuel Safety Regulations

Nova Scotia's fuel safety regulations have been revised to make them easier to interpret, address safe management of more fuels, and keep them more current.

The regulations formerly applied only to propane and natural gas. They now apply to fuel oil burning appliances and equipment. This means all residential and the vast majority of commercial fuel oil installations are regulated by the Department of Environment and Labour. Municipalities are no longer responsible for inspections and enforcement.

"Now that we have clear authority and jurisdiction over the Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment, changes to safety practices made in the national code can be adopted immediately within Nova Scotia," said Dale Stewart, chief inspector, fuel safety.

Mr. Stewart said that anyone concerned with installation and maintenance of gas and oil equipment, including homeowners, building inspectors, insurance companies, oil and gas contractors and suppliers, can now get clear, concise code interpretation in one place.

"We can now provide a single point of contact for fuel safety issues within government," Mr. Stewart said.

The new regulations will enhance the membership of the province's Fuel Safety Board to include members with oil industry experience and change some licensing requirements for oil and gas service industry workers to standardize requirements among provinces. They also streamline several reporting, compliance, and registration practices within the industry.

A bulletin containing a detailed summary of the new regulations can be seen online at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/fuelsafety/fsb0604.asp.