Food Trucks

Mobile Food Service Equipment (MFSE) includes:

Food trucks
Chip wagons
Coffee trucks
Hotdog and hamburger carts

MFSE is defined as mobile equipment whose primary purpose is to prepare food (whether or not it's permanently parked) and contains propane or other hydrocarbon fuel-fired cooking appliances.

Under Director's Order FS-056-06, all MFSE built, sold or whose ownership was transferred after February 13, 2006 must:

Have a Field Approval issued by Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)
Bear prescribed safety labels
Be inspected annually by a licensed gas technician

Visit The Exchange blog to learn more about MFSE approvals.

We encourage you to review the below FAQ section for more information on approval of MFSE.

What is a Field Approval?

A Field Approval is a TSSA Fuels Safety program designed to regulate products unique in nature and limited in production, where certification is not feasible. It addresses the fuel-burning aspect of MFSEs, which includes:

Storage of the gas
Transmission of gas to the appliance
Burning at the appliance

Any electrical equipment greater than 30 VAC must be approved by an accredited agency.

MFSE owners and operators should also check with the local municipality to determine if there are additional requirements at a local level.

All MFSE (including appliances) must be certified by an agency accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (e.g.,CSA, ULC or UL), or they will require a separate Field Approval.

All MFSE must have an annual safety inspection by a licensed gas technician, and all identified deficiencies must be corrected.

The technician must provide the owner/operator with a completed copy of the inspection certificate and an information fact sheet.

Food trucks in operation before February 13, 2006 are exempt from the Field Approval process. Proof that the equipment was used prior to this date by the same owner is required (i.e., a paper trail) to be eligible for this exemption. The trucks and appliances must still undergo an annual inspection as noted above.

How do I apply for a Field Approval?

Submit an MFSE Field Approval application, along with specific information related to the design of your MFSE, the appliances and the gas components used.

Learn more by viewing our MFSE Submittal Information Guide.

TSSA Engineering conducts a review of the design as it relates to the applicable sections of TSSA's Mobile Food Service Equipment Code and the provisions of CSA B149.2-10 Propane Storage and Handling Code (in particular, Section 11).

If the engineering review is satisfactory, the file is referred to a local TSSA inspector. You'll be notified and provided with the inspector's contact information so that you can make arrangements for an on-site inspection.

If the inspector is satisfied that the MFSE meets all applicable regulations, a Field Approval label will be affixed to the equipment.

What type of appliances may be used as MFSE?

Appliances must be certified by a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited Certification Body and must bear the recognized certification mark of that body for Canada.

What if I have a specially-designed appliance that does not have a recognized certification?

Special appliances could be considered for use as an MFSE but requires a separate Field Approval and separate application.

Does MFSE require a fire suppression system?

Applicants should contact the local fire inspection authority to determine if their particular MFSE requires a fire extinguishing system.

When an exhaust system protected by an automatic fire-extinguishing system is installed over an appliance not provided with a flame safeguard, the operation of the fire-extinguishing system shall be interlocked with the appliance's gas supply to automatically shut off the gas, including the pilot, and any other appliance that can be affected by the extinguishing system.

Is an electrical inspection required?

If the MFSE has a power supply rated above 30 volts, a Field Evaluation inspection is required by the Electrical Safety Authority or by one of the designated bodies authorized to conduct such evaluations.

For more information, please contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-800-ESA-SAFE.

I have MFSE that was built before February 13, 2006, will a Field Approval required if this MFSE is sold?

Yes, a Field Approval is required when MFSE built before February 13, 2006 is sold. The MFSE must meet all applicable TSSA requirements before sale. An application for a Field Approval must be made and completed before the MFSE is put into operation under the new ownership.

What type of connectors may be used to connect the appliances to the gas supply?

The gas supply to the appliances must be in accordance with the requirements of B149.1-10. This will mean either Schedule 40 pipe, Type G,K or L copper tubing, gas connectors complying with CSA standard 6.10 or for movable appliances gas connectors complying with CSA standard 6.16.

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