As required by the Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document, pipeline operators are required to seek TSSA approval for any change in service fluid, including blending hydrogen into pipeline systems:
 
“Prior to a change in service fluid, including non-sour service to sour service, or gas to hydrogen or hydrogen blend service, the operating company shall conduct an engineering assessment to determine whether the pipeline systems would be suitable for the new service fluid. The assessment shall include consideration of the design, material, construction, operating, and maintenance history of the pipeline system and shall be submitted to the Director for approval.”
 
There are two ways to seek the required approval for introducing hydrogen into a pipeline system: 
 
Option 1: Individual Engineering Assessment
 
Submit an Application for a Consultation, along with an engineering assessment signed by an Ontario-licensed professional engineer, demonstrating the safe operation of the pipeline system for each introduction of hydrogen blending.

Or 
 
Option 2: Generic Engineering Assessment 
 
Step 1: Submit an Application for a Consultation, along with a generic engineering assessment signed by an Ontario-licensed professional engineer, demonstrating the safe operation of the pipeline system for introducing various hydrogen blends.  Considerations include, but are not limited to, conditions such as: 

- The age of the pipeline
- Impacted materials
- Operating pressures
- Welds and transitions
- Maintenance programs
- Integrity programs
- Percentage of the hydrogen blend, etc.  

Step 2: Submit individual applications for introducing specific hydrogen blends in the pipeline system to TSSA. TSSA will approve the individual applications for specific hydrogen blends as an administrative process if they are compatible with the requirements under the generic assessment. These individual submissions shall reference the following: 

• The generic assessment
• Explanations of how the application is compatible with the generic assessment
• The location at which hydrogen blending is introduced
• Signed off by an Ontario-licensed professional engineer
   

The approval of submissions listed above will be billed at the hourly rate specified under the  Engineering Services section of TSSA’s Natural Gas & Hydrogen Fee Schedule. 

Applications submitted after February 1, 2025, without mandatory supporting documents will not be processed

To enhance the efficiency of processing engineering applications submitted for fuel systems and devices, engineering applications submitted after February 1, 2025, without mandatory supporting documents will not be processed. All fees are non-refundable.

TSSA reviews fuel system and device design submissions to ensure compliance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, as well as any applicable regulations and adopted safety codes or standards.

Submitting mandatory supporting documents along with the application is critical to ensure the timely processing of design registrations. Please ensure that mandatory supporting documents are complete.

Click to see a list of mandatory supporting documents for Fuels design registrations.

Fuels Safety Program
Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Changes in class location will apply to existing oil pipelines, per the Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document. 

A pipeline’s class location can change due to population growth and development in a pipeline’s surrounding area. Previously, existing oil pipeline systems were exempted from the requirement to address changes in class location. 

Operators of existing oil pipeline systems can submit applications to address changes in class location through one of the following ways:  

1. Apply for a variance to provide time to upgrade existing pipelines or reduce the operating pressure; 

    or  

2. Conduct and submit an engineering assessment to TSSA to determine the suitability of the continued use of the pipeline. 

TORONTO, ON, January 13, 2025 – Carbon monoxide (CO) continues to be a leading cause of accidental poisoning in Ontario. With approximately 65% of all CO incidents occurring in people’s homes, TSSA urges everyone to be ‘WinterWise’ this season and learn about how they can protect themselves against this invisible, odourless and highly poisonous gas - often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’.

As part of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) ongoing efforts to build CO awareness in communities across the province, residents in parts of Southwestern, Eastern and Northeastern Ontario regions will be receiving a copy of an important safety booklet – WinterWise – this week. This campaign, together with the ongoing public education efforts of community fire and emergency services departments, provides vital information to assist residents in reducing CO risks in their homes.

“During the cold weather months there’s naturally an increased use of furnaces and fireplaces, and even though these fuel-burning appliances may be safely designed, they can emit deadly levels of CO gas if not properly installed, inspected and maintained regularly,” says Kelly Hart, TSSA’s Director of Fuels Safety. “While CO presents serious hazards, residents can essentially eliminate any potential harm, by taking these two important steps,” adds Hart.

• Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually through the services of a TSSA-registered fuel contractor 
  • to find a TSSA-registered contractor near you use the Find A Registered Fuels Contractor Tool at cosafety.ca. 
• Install certified CO alarms in your home, regularly test and replace them in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction.

“It’s also important to remember to never use any fuel-burning appliances indoors that are specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only,” adds Hart.

Residents are encouraged to learn more about CO and other seasonal safety topics by reading and sharing the information in the WinterWise booklet and by visiting COsafety.ca – a website dedicated to providing critical CO safety information.

TSSA continues to partner with local fire and emergency services and other safety-minded organizations to deliver critical CO safety information to residents in communities across Ontario.

The attached backgrounder provides additional information on carbon monoxide. 

Stay one step ahead of CO – Beat the Silent Killer. Take Action. Think Safe. COsafety.ca

About TSSA 

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.

-30-

For more information or to arrange media availability, please contact:

Alexandra Campbell 

Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Service

Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Telephone: 416-734-6227

Email: media@tssa.org

For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, visit www.tssa.org.