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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