Gas codes consultation

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The gas codes consultation has concluded.

Gas meter on the side of a house

Status: Completed

The new gas codes come into effect on October 1, 2022. Read details on the changes.
This consultation closed as of September 22, 2021. Read a summary of what we heard during the consultation.



Technical Safety BC reviewed the latest editions of the CSA B149 gas code series, the CSA Z662 Oil and gas pipeline standard, and the BNQ-1784 Canadian Hydrogen Installation Code for adoption in BC. Read below for proposals and consultation materials.

Our proposal

  1. Adopt the latest editions of the gas codes and standards listed in the table below
  2. Issue a directive supporting design and permitting requirements for facilities within the scope of the B149.6 code
  3. Recommend a new requirement for carbon monoxide alarms where gas appliances are installed or replaced
  4. Recommend a new requirement to isolate gas systems before alterations or modifications
Code / StandardMajor changes and proposed variations

CSA B149.1-20
Natural gas and propane installation code

Proposed variations

  • Requiring all regulator installations utilizing reduced clearance from the vent termination to meet industry standard restricted vent capacity requirements (clause 5.6.4)
  • Allowing for up to 4” press connect fittings (clause 6.2)

CSA B149.2-20
Propane storage and handling code

  • Adopting an informative annex for the temporary use of propane cylinders at shows, exhibitions, or similar events (Annex Q)

CSA B149.3-20
Code for the field approval of fuel-burning appliances and equipment

  • New requirements for regulators and overpressure protection
  • Adopting an informative annex for mobile food trucks, consolidated from previous code clauses and annexes (Annex J)

CSA B149.5-20
Installation code for propane fuel systems and containers on motor vehicles

  • Clarification of OEM label requirements
  • Revisions to piping materials and practices

CSA B149.6-20
Code for digester gas, landfill gas, and biogas generation and utilization

  • Revisions to scope of the code
  • Expansion of definition of hazardous areas
  • Revisions to piping practices

CSA Z662-19
Oil and gas pipeline systems standard

  • New population density assessment areas
  • New piping materials
  • New requirements for qualification of individuals performing non-destructive testing

CAN/BNQ-1784-000-2021
Canadian Hydrogen Installation Code

  • Clarification that refineries, chemical plants, and facilities producing hydrogen for offsite use are excluded from the scope
  • Developing risk assessment and risk management systems
  • Requiring certification or approval for appurtenances for hydrogen systems
  • Revised technical requirements for emergency shutdown systems
Suggestions for future code changesThe next code changes will be in 2025 for the B149 series, 2023 for the Z662, and TBD for the BNQ-1784.



Status: Completed

The new gas codes come into effect on October 1, 2022. Read details on the changes.
This consultation closed as of September 22, 2021. Read a summary of what we heard during the consultation.



Technical Safety BC reviewed the latest editions of the CSA B149 gas code series, the CSA Z662 Oil and gas pipeline standard, and the BNQ-1784 Canadian Hydrogen Installation Code for adoption in BC. Read below for proposals and consultation materials.

Our proposal

  1. Adopt the latest editions of the gas codes and standards listed in the table below
  2. Issue a directive supporting design and permitting requirements for facilities within the scope of the B149.6 code
  3. Recommend a new requirement for carbon monoxide alarms where gas appliances are installed or replaced
  4. Recommend a new requirement to isolate gas systems before alterations or modifications
Code / StandardMajor changes and proposed variations

CSA B149.1-20
Natural gas and propane installation code

Proposed variations

  • Requiring all regulator installations utilizing reduced clearance from the vent termination to meet industry standard restricted vent capacity requirements (clause 5.6.4)
  • Allowing for up to 4” press connect fittings (clause 6.2)

CSA B149.2-20
Propane storage and handling code

  • Adopting an informative annex for the temporary use of propane cylinders at shows, exhibitions, or similar events (Annex Q)

CSA B149.3-20
Code for the field approval of fuel-burning appliances and equipment

  • New requirements for regulators and overpressure protection
  • Adopting an informative annex for mobile food trucks, consolidated from previous code clauses and annexes (Annex J)

CSA B149.5-20
Installation code for propane fuel systems and containers on motor vehicles

  • Clarification of OEM label requirements
  • Revisions to piping materials and practices

CSA B149.6-20
Code for digester gas, landfill gas, and biogas generation and utilization

  • Revisions to scope of the code
  • Expansion of definition of hazardous areas
  • Revisions to piping practices

CSA Z662-19
Oil and gas pipeline systems standard

  • New population density assessment areas
  • New piping materials
  • New requirements for qualification of individuals performing non-destructive testing

CAN/BNQ-1784-000-2021
Canadian Hydrogen Installation Code

  • Clarification that refineries, chemical plants, and facilities producing hydrogen for offsite use are excluded from the scope
  • Developing risk assessment and risk management systems
  • Requiring certification or approval for appurtenances for hydrogen systems
  • Revised technical requirements for emergency shutdown systems
Suggestions for future code changesThe next code changes will be in 2025 for the B149 series, 2023 for the Z662, and TBD for the BNQ-1784.


The gas codes consultation has concluded.

  • Gas codes 2021 consultation: What we heard

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    This report summarizes the feedback we received during our online consultation on gas codes. The consultation was held August 10 through September 22, 2021, and covered the impacts of adopting the latest editions of the gas codes in BC and related issues:

    • CSA B149 series (2020 edition)
    • CSA Z662 (2019 edition)
    • BNQ-1784 (2021 edition)
    • Installing carbon monoxide detectors when gas equipment is installed or replaced
    • Draft directive relating to biomethane gas systems
    • Isolating gas systems when performing maintenance


    Process and participation

    Before the gas codes consultation, our gas safety team conducted a technical review of the CSA B149-20 code series and the CSA Z662-19 to identify safety, process, and socioeconomic impacts of the codes. These impacts were further reviewed and refined by two code review advisory groups in 2020, comprised of gas contractors, gasfitters, manufacturers, equipment owners, and other industry experts.

    When it came time to host the consultation, we posted impact assessments on Technical Safety BC’s Engage website, and invited over 20,000 industry representatives to participate. The consultation was promoted through:

    • Direct emails to those registered to receive Technical Safety BC gas-related notifications
    • Direct emails to industry associations
    • Direct emails to advisory group members
    • Social media posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter
    • Ads on Facebook and Google
    • Presentations at industry association meetings
    • A gas industry newsletter


    By the end of the consultation period, the consultation webpage had been viewed by over 5,200 unique visitors, and 42 participants had engaged in the consultation surveys, online discussion forums, and email. The participants included:

    • 25 people who identified as gas contractors, gasfitters, utilities, or students/apprentices
    • 6 people who identified as engineers, designers, manufacturers, or suppliers
    • 8 people who identified as industry associations or government representatives
    • 22 people who identified as owners of gas equipment, buildings, or homes


    What we heard: Survey responses

    Agreement with adoption of latest code

    Yes

    Part-
    ially

    No

    Un-
    sure

    Total

    CSA B149.1-20
    Natural gas and propane installation code

    8

    6

    5

    3

    22

    CSA B149.2-20
    Propane storage and handling code

    4

    3

    5

    1

    13

    CSA B149.3-20
    Code for the field approval of fuel burning appliances and equipment

    4

    5

    5

    3

    17

    CSA B149.5-20
    Installation code for propane fuel systems and containers on motor vehicles

    3

    3

    5

    1

    12

    CSA B149.6-20
    Code for digester gas, landfill gas, and biogas generation and utilization

    3

    1

    5

    0

    9

    CSA Z662-19
    Oil and gas pipeline systems standard

    1

    1

    5

    1

    8

    CAN/BNQ-1784-000-2021
    Canadian Hydrogen Installation Code

    1

    0

    5

    0

    6

    Overall

    9

    8

    5

    7

    29


    27 participants responded to a survey question on how long the transition period should be between the announcement of the code adoption and the effective date of the code.

    Transition period

    Total

    3-6 months

    8

    7-9 months

    2

    10+ months

    9

    No opinion

    8

    Total

    27


    What we heard: Written comments

    We received comments through the survey and discussion boards on the gas codes consultation page, as well as through email.

    About codes

    10 survey comments, 2 emails

    • Clarify code requirements for specific types of equipment
    • Concerns about cost of upgrading equipment
    • General agreement with adopting latest edition of codes
    • General anti-regulation sentiment


    Removing the exemption for stationary engines

    2 discussion board comments, 1 email

    • Clarify whether the requirement applies to specific types of equipment
    • Add a transition period to allow time for staff training


    Installing carbon monoxide detectors when gas equipment is installed or replaced

    5 discussion board comments, 1 email

    • Greater focus should be on proper maintenance and education
    • Consider how this applies to different building occupancy types
    • May cause over-reliance on alarms


    Draft directive relating to biomethane gas systems

    5 survey comments

    • The directive is helpful / a good idea


    Next steps

    All feedback and comments received during the consultation period will be considered in our submission to the Province of BC on whether to adopt the most recent versions of the gas codes. We thank everyone who took the time to participate in this consultation.


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