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Furnaces/Heating Systems Using Fuel Oil
Here's a list of common questions homeowners have regarding Furnaces/Heating Systems that use Fuel Oil:
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Q : My fuel oil distributor did not deliver fuel, what do I do now?
A : Ensure your underground storage tank is registered. Ensure you have had your comprehensive inspection. Additional Information:
- After the inspection, fuel oil may not be delivered. If there were "unacceptable conditions" noted, the "unacceptable conditions" need to be remedied: either prior to fuel oil delivery or within the timeframe set out by the Fuel Oil distributor (not to exceed 90 days).
- Unacceptable conditions that are an immediate hazard will not have fuel delivered to the installation and fuel supply will be shut off.
Reference: Ontario Regulation 213/01, "Fuel Oil", Sections 23, 24, 25 and 26.
Q : My insurance carrier has advised me that they will no longer provide me with insurance because of the age of my storage tank and that I must have it replaced. Is this the case?
A : There are insurance carriers who choose not to provide insurance coverage when tanks have passed a prescribed age. This is not a requirement of TSSA. There may be insurance companies who will provide insurance despite your tank's age.
TSSA does not regulate Insurance carriers who ultimately may decide to impose a replacement requirement based on the age of the tank according to their own risk assessment criteria.
There are no specific code or regulation requirements that dictate the replacement of above ground storage tanks, based on age limit considerations. The deadline for replacing underground storage tanks is determined by CAN/CSA-B139-00 Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment.
Additional Information:
- You may contact other insurance carriers for insurance coverage requirements.
Q : I have had my furnace serviced and cleaned this year, do I still require a comprehensive inspection by my fuel oil distributor?
A : Yes, a comprehensive inspection is still required if you have not yet had one.
Additional Information:
- To verify whether or not the comprehensive inspection has been done, contact your Fuel Oil distributor.
Q : Who is qualified to perform comprehensive inspections on my fuel oil heating system?
A : Oil burner technicians who are certified by TSSA.
Oil burner technicians are designated as follows:
| OilburnerTechnician Certificate Designation | Scope of Certificate |
| OBT 1 | All work without supervision. |
| OBT 2 | All work up to a maximum fuel flow rate (7 US Gal/hour). Typically residential systems. (Fuel oil equipment and aboveground tanks less than 7 US gallons including service, maintenance and installation) |
| OBT 3 | Requires a degree of supervision (See below) | |
Additional Information:
- "Direct supervision" - means the supervision of an OBT 3 Certificate Holder. There must be an OBT 1 or an OBT 2 on site, in close proximity to the OBT 3, available to assist and supervise the OBT 3. (Person to Person).
- · "General supervision" means the supervision of an OBT 3 Certificate Holder. The OBT 1 or OBT 2 may or may not be on site but must be readily available to assist the OBT 3.
Reference: Ontario Regulation 215/01 "Fuel Industry Certificates".
Q : How do I contact the qualified personnel that can inspect my heating system?
A : Additional Information:
- Ensure that the contractor you are using is registered with TSSA, and that the individual performing the work is certified by TSSA.
Q : How do I know what class qualified fuel oil perosnnel hold?
A : It is written on their certificate.
Additional Information:
- Contact TSSA at (416) 734-3300 or 1-877-682-8772 and ask to speak to a Fuels Licensing, Registration and Certification Agent, to verify.
Q : Where should I install my new tank?
A : Any of the following three methods is acceptable, provided the installation is performed by a TSSA registered contractor with a valid certificate, in accordance with the installation code and regulations:
- Above ground outside of my dwelling
- Above ground in my basement
- Underground (buried)
Additional Information:
- An OBT 1, OBT 2, or PM 4 may install aboveground fuel oil storage tank systems to a maximum volume capacity of 500 Gallons.
- All aboveground tank installations greater than 500 gallons must be performed by a Petroleum Equipment Mechanic 3 (PM 3).
- All underground fuel oil storage tank system installations are to be performed by a Petroleum Equipment Mechanic 2 (PM 2).
Q : Why do I need a comprehensive inspection of my fuel oil heating system?
A : To confirm that the installation can operate safely! It is a legislative requirement prescribed by Ontario Regulation 213/01, "Fuel Oil". Section 7 of the Regulation states:
| Section 7 of the Regulation |
"7. (1) No distributor shall supply fuel oil to a container or tank system that is connected to an appliance or work unless the distributor is satisfied that the installation and use of the appliance or work comply with this Regulation and,
(a) Unless the distributor has inspected the appliance or work at least once within the previous 10 years".
"7. (2) A distributor shall prepare a report on each inspection made under subsection (1) and shall retain the report until the next inspection and report are completed".
"7. (3) An inspection shall be carried out by a person who is the holder of a certificate for that purpose". | |
Additional Information:
- This is a mandatory inspection and therefore you must not refuse the inspection service being arranged by a fuel oil distributor.
- Inspection service refusal will prevent fuel oil delivery.
- A person who is the holder of a certificate for that purpose shall carry out the inspection. I.e. An oil burner technician (OBT).
- The certified oil burner technician (OBT) may not necessarily work for the fuel oil distributor but may be an agent or sub-contractor of the Fuel Oil distributor.
- You may contact a fuel oil distributor who is different from the one you currently deal with if you are not satisfied with the service being provided.
- Each distributor is responsible for the inspection performed on their client's heating systems. When you switch to a new distributor you may be required to undergo a new inspection. If you change distributors and the new distributor agrees with the previous inspection report, a new inspection may not be necessary. Check with the new distributor to see if they would accept the previous inspection report.
- Both TSSA and fuel oil industry representatives have developed specific checklists that outline minimum inspection requirements.
- There are also inspection requirements for propane systems and natural gas systems.
- See also Comprehensive inspections - Cost considerations and Comprehensive inspections - Disagreeing with results.
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Q : My installation (complete heating system) was recently installed, do I still require a comprehensive inspection?
A : Yes, the comprehensive inspection requirement applies to any installation regardless of age.
According to regulatory changes, if the installation has never before had a comprehensive inspection performed by a qualified person (Oil Burner Technician), then one is required before the year 2007.
Additional Information:
- A fuel oil distributor will be able to establish whether you need a comprehensive inspection performed.
- No matter the installation date, if the Fuel Oil distributor has never inspected the system in the past, it is mandatory to have the system inspected.
Q : Is there a cost for the comprehensive inspection?
A : There may be a cost associated with the inspection, check with your fuel oil distributor.
Additional Information:
- Prices may vary depending on the fuel distributor you deal with.
- Some fuel oil distributors may offer this inspection service for free to entice your business.
- You may solicit other Fuel Oil distributors regarding inspection costs.
Q : Does a tank which is used to dispense fuel (i.e. fill my tractor, truck, bulldozer, etc.) require to be registered or have a comprehensive inspection?
A : No, a registration with TSSA is not required and a comprehensive inspection is not required.
Additional Information:
- UST and AST tank systems found at private fuel outlets are exempted from the requirements set out in Ontario Regulation 213/01, "Fuel Oil". These systems fall within the scope of Ontario Regulation 217/01 "Liquid Fuels".
- Dispensing operations are regulated by TSSA under Ontario Regulation 217/01, "Liquid Fuels".
- The applicable code for dispensing operations is the "Liquid Fuels Handling Codebook", which can be purchased from TSSA. To purchase, please contact TSSA at (416) 734-3347 or 1-877-682-8772.
Reference: Copies of the Ontario Regulation 213/01, "Fuel Oil" and Ontario Regulation 217/01, "Liquid Fuels" are available in the on this website.
Copies can be purchased through the Ontario Government bookstore, Publications Ontario, at 1-800-668-9938 or in person at 880 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario.
Q : I had a comprehensive inspection performed on my fuel oil heating system by an obt; I don't agree with the inspection findings?
A : You should request from the certified technician involved, "OBT", or from your fuel oil distributor if applicable, a formal explanation that outlines the "unacceptable conditions".
This review should list the code or regulation violations that were discovered during the inspection process.
Additional Information:
- You may seek a second opinion from a qualified person.
- If the second opinion confirms the "unacceptable conditions", then the repair / upgrade should be performed.
- If the second opinion differs from the original inspection findings then you should contact TSSA at 1-877-682-8772 or 416-734-3300.
Q : What is the difference between maintenance and a comprehensive inspection?
A : Maintenance: All existing fuel oil storage tank systems (aboveground and underground) are required to have annual maintenance, performed by a TSSA certified oil burner technician. Such services include visually inspecting for leaks and testing and servicing the unit to ensure it is operating properly. All yearly maintenance examination requirements are outlined in Section 14 of the CAN/CSA-B139-00 Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment. (It is the owner's responsibility to arrange / ensure they have yearly maintenance examinations.) Maintenance is required every year.
Comprehensive Inspection: All existing fuel oil storage tank and appliances (aboveground and underground) are required to undergo a comprehensive inspection by the Fuel Oil distributor at least once every 10 years. This is being performed to ascertain compliance with the regulations and code. It is a new requirement, which came into effect May 1, 2002.
Q : How can I verify the person performing the work is qualified?
A :
- You should ask for their certificate and for their contractor registration number.
- The person performing the work on fuel oil must be a certified Oil Burner Technician "OBT".
- The company they own or work for must also be registered as a contractor with TSSA.
- Ask for references.
Additional Information:
Contact TSSA at (416) 734-3300 or 1-877-682-8772 and ask to speak to a Fuels Licensing, Registration and Certification Agent, to verify.
Q : Does TSSA have a list of registered and certified contractors?
A : Yes, TSSA does have a list of "Heating" contractors.
Additional Information:
- Contact us at (416) 734-3347 or 1-877-682-8772, or click here to search.
Q : How do I obtain a copy of the fuel oil code or the regulation?
A : The CAN/CSA-B139-00 Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment can be purchased directly from CSA by contacting:
CSA
Tel: (416) 747-4000
tollfree: 1-800-463-6727
Web: www.csa-international.org
The Ontario Regulation 213/01, "Fuel Oil" can be downloaded from the previous direct link or the Government of Ontario web site at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca.
Ontario Regulation 213/01 "Fuel Oil" is also available for purchase from the Ontario Government Bookstore - Publications Ontario at:
Ontario Government Bookstore - Publications Ontario
880 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
tollfree: 1-800-668-9938
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