Deadline Thursday, September 25, 2025
Notice: Parties having an interest and expertise in the Propane industry
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) actively solicits the advice and input of key stakeholders from the respective industries that it regulates through several industry specific advisory councils. The advisory councils are invited to work with TSSA in support of safety initiatives and general enhancements in service delivery within their respective industries.
The Propane Advisory Council was established to provide a forum through which TSSA can consult with industry relative to its safety strategies and receive valuable input and advice to help guide TSSA’s decision making and operations. This structure provides:
•a communication channel through which their safety concerns can be voiced.
•a means to support and advise TSSA with respect to continuous improvement of itsservices.
•a valuable resource through which to solicit industry input and advice; and
•a mechanism to facilitate communication back to industry at large.
The Propane Advisory Council is seeking the following nominations to represent this stakeholder group:
• Maintenance & Designers – Water Heating
• An owner/operator/distributor as a Bulk Cylinder Exchange Operator
• Transporter/Carrier
Visit the TSSA website to access information about the Propane Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings: If you are interested in nominating an individual as a Council Member, please submit his/her letter of interest or nomination together with the individual’s resume by 2025-09-25 to:
Iuliana Afanase
Stakeholder Outreach Advisor
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org
The Propane Compliance Standard came into effect on April 14, 2025, for all licensed propane-filling facilities in Ontario.
The Propane Compliance Standard seeks to enhance the safety of propane facilities across Ontario by:
- Prioritizing high-risk non-compliances that pose significant safety risks: Help owners, contractors and mechanics understand safety priorities by directing their focus on addressing high-risk non-compliances.
- Promoting inspection consistency: Inspection orders are based on risk and data analyses from inspection and incident history, ensuring standardized and consistent inspections.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will apply this standard during periodic inspections to enhance safety and regulatory consistency. If high-risk non-compliances are found during a periodic inspection, TSSA will:
- Issue an order(s) requiring corrective action
- Conduct a follow-up inspection to confirm compliance
- If compliance is not confirmed within the specified time, further enforcement action will be taken, including possible shutdown
High-risk non-compliances may require immediate compliance (0 days), could result in a shutdown, or allow 14 days to rectify the issues. In some cases, a high-risk non-compliance may be given more than 14 days to resolve, depending on practical considerations and circumstances.
Other violations, categorized as safety tasks (low- and medium-risk), will be noted on the inspection report. Owners and operators are responsible for resolving safety tasks within the time specified in the inspection report. TSSA will not conduct a follow-up inspection if only safety tasks are found during a periodic inspection.
Below is a list of high-risk non-compliances in the Propane Compliance Standard:
| Issue | Compliance Order | Regulation/Code Clause |
| The facility must be licensed. | Rectify | Section 13(1) of O.Reg 211/01 |
| The facility must be operated in accordance with its Risk and Safety Management Plan (RSMP). | Rectify | Section 3.1(0.1)(d) of O. Reg. 211/01 |
| Employees must hold a valid Record of Training (ROT) to transfer products. | Cease-and-desist | Section 6(1) of O. Reg. 211/01 |
| Employees must be trained in the facility’s emergency procedures. | Rectify | Section 27(9)(a) of O. Reg. 211/01 |
| Facilities must have operational and maintenance procedure manuals. | Rectify | Clause 7.22.4 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| An inspection must be conducted by the fuel supplier in the past 12 months. | Rectify | Section 29(1) of O. Reg. 211/01 |
| Tanks and cylinders must be protected from vehicular impact. | Rectify | Clause 5.3.2 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| The area around the tanks and cylinders must be clear of readily ignitable materials (such dry grass, weeds, paper, cardboard and firewood). | Rectify | Clause 5.3.3 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Access must be provided for firefighting personnel. | Rectify | Clause 7.12.2 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| The emergency electrical shut-off switch must be clearly identified, readily accessible and operational. | Rectify | Clause 7.19.1.7 of the CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Hoses must be in good condition. | Rectify | Clause 5.9 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 code |
| Equipment at the facility must be approved. | Rectify | Clause 4.2.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Liquid piping must be installed with hydrostatic relief valve(s) between shut-off valve(s). | Rectify | Clause 5.6.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Hydrostatic relief valve(s) must discharge away from the tank or cylinder. | Rectify | Clause 5.8.3 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| The tank inspection must be conducted every 10 years. | Rectify | Clause 1.6 of Propane Code Adoption Document |
| Pressure relief valves must be inspected every 5 years. | Rectify | Clause 1.7 of Propane Code Adoption Document |
| Relief valve(s) must be protected with loose-fitting cap(s). | Rectify | Clause 7.2.5 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| The facility must be equipped with an emergency shut-off valve and/or a back-check valve. | Rectify | Clause 7.3.5 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Tanks must have an excess flow valve or a back-check valve. | Rectify | Clause 7.4.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Tanks must be equipped with liquid level gauges. | Rectify | Clause 7.6.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Tank relief vents must extend vertically upwards, unobstructed to the outdoors with no impingement on any other tank. | Rectify | Clause 7.9.5 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Portable storage at the facility must not exceed the allowed capacity of the RSMP. | Rectify | Section 3.1(7) of O.Reg 211/01 |
| Container filling locations with container storage must meet these required clearances: 10ft (3 m) from a tank, 25ft (7.5 m) from a property line, and 25ft (7.5 m) from any source of ignition. | Rectify | Clause 7.17.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 |
| Cylinders must be stored in an upright position. | Rectify | Clause 6.1.8 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Required fencing must meet code requirements. | Rectify | Clause 7.19.2 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Relief valve(s), gauging device(s), bypass line(s) and filler valve(s) must be located inside the cabinet when the doors are closed. | Rectify | Clause 7.19.3(a) of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| The internal safety valve must be in a closed position when the cabinet door is closed. | Rectify | Clause 7.19.3(b) of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
| Vehicle dispenser hose(s) must be equipped with breakaway couplings. | Rectify | Clause 7.20.9 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code |
Visit the Propane Compliance Standard webpage for more information or watch a recording of the webinar on Propane Compliance Standard held on March 25, 2025.
This news item was sent to propane facility owners and operators, Propane Compliance Standard webinar attendees, and Fuels web subscribers.
On April 14, 2025, the Propane Compliance Standard will take effect for all licenced propane facilities in Ontario. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will apply this standard during periodic inspections to enhance safety and regulatory consistency.
The Propane Compliance Standard identifies high-risk non-compliances that pose significant risks to safety. If high-risk non-compliances are found during a periodic inspection, TSSA will:
- Issue an order(s) requiring corrective action
- Conduct a follow-up inspection to confirm compliance
Other non-compliances, categorized as safety tasks (low- and medium-risk), will be noted on the inspection report. Owners and operators are responsible for resolving safety tasks within the time specified in the inspection report. TSSA will not conduct a follow-up inspection if only safety tasks are found during a periodic inspection.
The Compliance Standard seeks to enhance the safety of propane facilities across Ontario by prioritizing the efforts of TSSA and regulated parties on addressing high-risk non-compliances promptly.
Benefits of Compliance Standards
- Prioritizes high-risk non-compliances: Help owners, contractors and mechanics understand safety priorities by focusing their efforts on addressing high-risk non-compliances.
- Promotes inspection consistency: Inspection orders are based on risk and data analyses from inspection and incident history, ensuring standardized and consistent inspections.
Learn More - Join our Webinar
TSSA is hosting a live webinar to provide more details about the new Propane Compliance Standard:
Date : Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Time : 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (EST)
- How the Propane Compliance Standard was developed
- High-risk non-compliances covered in the standard
- The difference between high-risk non-compliances with the Compliance Standard and other non-compliances/safety tasks
- Steps to take when non-compliances are identified during a periodic inspection
This news item was sent to propane facility owners and operators and Fuels web subscribers.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has issued an advisory clarifying the requirements for the foundations of residential or small commercial standby generators with a capacity of up to 26 kW and fueled by natural gas or propane.
According to CSA B149.1-20 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, these generators must be installed on a firm, level foundation and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Manufacturers often require, recommend or permit installation on a poured concrete pad, a prefabricated concrete slab, compacted soil, gravel, patio stones or other similar materials. TSSA will consider an installation compliant with clause 7.2.1.6 if the foundation meets the requirements or recommendations outlined in the manufacturer's instructions.
If the manufacturer’s instructions are unclear, do not specify foundation requirements or provide recommendations only, TSSA will deem the installation to be compliant with clause 7.2.1.6 if the foundation meets the following requirements:
- It is composed of compacted crushed gravel or limestone base and a non-combustible platform (such as patio stones or a concrete slab); and
- The top surface of the foundation is at least 2 inches above the surrounding ground surface.
Please refer to the advisory for full details.
Starting December 22, 2024, propane certificate holders and Record-of-Training (ROT) holders will no longer be required to hold a liquid propane fitter certificate to purge propane tanks of 2,500 US water gallons (USWG) or less. The exemption helps propane distributors achieve the required changeout timelines for pressure-relief valves by increasing the number of professionals eligible to perform this task.
The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement approved the exemption of these specified persons from the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 Fuel Industry Certificates Regulation (O. Reg. 215/01), provided they meet all the following conditions:
1. The person holds one or more of the following certificates or ROTs under the Act:
- Propane truck operator (PTO)
- Propane plant operator 1 (PPO-1) or
- Propane plant operator 2 (PPO-2)
2. The person is employed by a registered contractor under 0. Reg. 211/01, or a distributor under 0. Reg. 211/01;
3. The person has completed a TSSA-approved training program, including a practical examination from a TSSA-accredited training provider on how to evacuate propane tanks safely; and
4. The person undergoes either full retraining or skills retesting from a TSSA-accredited training provider at three-year intervals.
Training providers who wish to deliver a TSSA-approved training program should submit an Application for Training Provider Accreditation to TSSA and meet the accreditation and curriculum requirements established in the relevant policies and procedures.
Read the Minister’s exemption here.