Acronym
ED
TORONTO, ON, April 21, 2026 - Spring showers may bring flowers but torrential downpours, milder temperatures and the thawing of some mass accumulations of snow across parts of Ontario could bring serious flooding threats and consequences. As the risks of seasonal flooding increase, so do the potential hazards related to fuel-burning equipment and elevators. Additionally, disruptions to major energy systems during floods may prompt people to use unsafe power generation alternatives. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is reminding Ontarians to avoid taking unsafe actions, ‘fixes or alternatives.
Reduce the risks and potential of harm.
- Never use any fuel-burning appliances indoors that are specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only such as portable, fuel-fired generators, BBQs etc., as they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and other dangers.
- Keep outdoor generators away from open windows, doors, and vents to prevent carbon monoxide from infiltrating living spaces.
- Avoid using portable fuel-burning devices like generators and propane BBQs in enclosed areas such as garages or covered patios, as this can lead to carbon monoxide buildup.
- Exercise caution when using commercial ventilating fans to dry out a basement, as this could create negative pressure, allowing carbon monoxide from household appliances to re-enter the home. Ensure proper ventilation during this process.
- Never use elevators in a flooded building as water can accumulate in elevator shafts or adversely affect an elevator's operation leading to entrapment or injury.
If you're unsure about the safety of a specific TSSA-regulated equipment or device during floods, contact TSSA for more information.
Quotes
“CO is a leading cause of accidental poisonings in Ontario. That’s why it’s so important that residents do not compound a hazardous situation, such as a flood, by exposing themselves, families, friends and pets to potential CO risks. It’s critical that any fuel-burning appliances designed for outdoor use only, such as portable fuel generators or BBQs, remain just there – outside – to avoid the potential or CO poisoning, fires or other hazards.” Owen Kennedy, Director, Fuels Safety Program, TSSA
“In buildings impacted by flooding, the elevators can potentially be compromised. Water can accumulate in elevator shafts or adversely affect an elevator’s operation, creating a dangerous situation for passengers including entrapment or injury. It’s important to never use elevators in a flooded building or where there is any indication that water has leaked onto elevator components.” AJ Kadirgamar, Director, Elevating and Amusement Devices Safety Program, TSSA
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services includes public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.
For more information or to arrange media availability, please contact:
TSSA
Ammara Khan
Director, Communications
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Owners and licensees of elevators equipped with Smartrise SRA (V3 CEDES) Controllers with a single door zone sensor must alter the software and submit a Minor A Alteration Design Submission by May 1, 2026, where applicable.
In May 2025, TSSA updated a Director’s Order that applies to elevators:
- With a Smartrise SRA (V3 CEDES) traction controller;
- Registered and installed using CSA Standard B44 Elevators and Escalators; and
- with a single sensor to determine position for the levelling and Unintended Car Movement Protection safety circuits.
The Director’s Order addresses a serious safety risk found during the testing of a traction elevator. A Category 5 test involving a Smartrise SRA controller, CEDES Absolute Positioning System, and a single door zone sensor showed that if the lone door zone sensor (magnet or optical) fails, the elevator can move while both the car and hall doors are open.
To address this risk, the Director’s Order requires that:
- Elevators operating with a software version earlier than 3.18e must upgrade their software to version 3.18e or newer and submit a Minor A Alteration Design Submission, in compliance with section 3 of this order, before May 1, 2026.
- Elevators with software version 3.18e or newer must submit a Minor A Alteration Design Submission, compliant with section 3 of this order, to TSSA by May 1, 2026.
Elevators that do not meet the timelines above may be shutdown.
No further action is required if a compliant submission has already been made prior to this order.
TSSA is integrating more core services into the Client Portal as part of our ongoing effort to streamline key processes, enhance accessibility, and improve client experience. Starting March 16, 2026, all engineering submissions — including design submissions, variances, and alteration applications — must be submitted through the Client Portal.
TSSA recently held training sessions for Elevating Devices (ED), Amusement Devices (AD) and Ski Lifts to help build familiarity with the new processes. These sessions demonstrated how to send design submissions, dossiers, variances, and alterations through the Client Portal.
If you missed the session or want a refresher, below are links to the recordings of the respective training sessions:
- Elevating Device Submitters: Portal Training, March 6, 2026
- Ski Submitters: Portal Training, March 6, 2026
- Amusement Device Submitters: Portal Training, March 9, 2026
The updated Application forms and specification sheets for the Portal Go-Live are here:
This news was sent to ED and Ski Lift contractors, AD owners and submitters, and web subscribers.
TSSA is integrating more core services into the Client Portal to streamline key processes and improve client experience. Effective March 16, 2026, all engineering submissions — including design submissions and alteration applications — must be submitted through the Client Portal.
A valid Elevating Device (ED) or Ski Lift contractor registration is required to submit all engineering applications online (except for variances, safety assessments, and private dwelling inquiries). Contractors with registrations expiring March 31, 2026, must renew on time to avoid a late fee and disruptions to application submissions.
TSSA will perform a system upgrade to migrate more services online. As a result, the Client and Prepayment Portals will not be accessible starting on Wednesday, March 11 at 4:00 p.m. until Monday, March 16 at 8:00 a.m. EST. Please submit your applications before mid-March to avoid processing delays. For details, refer to the renewal package instructions sent to ED and Ski Lift contractors.
Training Sessions
TSSA is offering training on how to submit ED design packages or alterations through the Client Portal.
Elevating Devices:
Friday, March 6, 2026 | 9:30–11:30 a.m. (EST)
Microsoft Teams
Join the ED Portal Training now
Meeting ID: 239 035 241 172 32
Passcode: fx6Kj7yr
Friday, March 6, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 p.m. (EST
Join the SKI Portal Training Now
Meeting ID: 211 143 763 891 15
Passcode: rH2FJ7NP
Recordings, written instructions, and supporting materials will be posted online after the training. Organizations submitting under Elevating Devices, Amusement Devices, or Ski Lifts only need to attend one session as submission steps are consistent across these industries. For one-on-one support after the training, email eddesignsubmittal@tssa.org.
Sign Up for Client Portal
If you are not yet a Client Portal user, follow these instructions to sign up. After creating access to the Client Portal, ensure you link your portal profile to your existing TSSA account to perform transactions, submit applications and access online services.
This news was sent to ED and Ski Lift contractors and web subscribers.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is sharing a safety bulletin issued by the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK) after safety issues involving hoist ropes have been identified on certain Torin ER6 elevator machines in Saskatchewan.
According to the bulletin, hoist ropes failed on a Torin ER6-221P7 geared elevator machine in December 2025. The ropes, which were replaced on February 2, 2024, failed after approximately 600,000 runs. TSASK advised that:
- Three elevating devices with this configuration have been sealed due to hoist ropes not meeting ASME A17.6 requirements.
- Two additional devices have been issued priority orders requiring hoist rope replacement within 30 days.
- Inspections of similar installations continue. TSASK will update findings after inspections are completed.
TSSA is sharing this information for awareness among Ontario owners, contractors, and maintenance personnel. While there are several similar installations in Ontario, no comparable incidents have been reported to date. Read the TSASK bulletin for details.
This communication was sent to contractors and web subscribers of elevating devices and owners of Torin elevators.