Insurers to Report Specific Violations Found During Inspection of Boilers & Pressure Vessels

Industry: Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Category: Regulatory Updates

Apr 17, 2025

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High-risk violations must be resolved by owners before a Certificate of Inspection can be issued

Insurance companies and third-party inspection agencies are required to report specific violations through the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Certificate of Inspection (BPV COI) Portal for Insurers.  

As of April 14, 2025, the BPV COI Portal became available to support this reporting requirement. The 20 violations – of which 11 are high-risk requiring immediate compliance – are outlined in the Director’s Order BPV-25-02

Equipment owners must resolve high-risk violations before a Certificate of Inspection (COI) can be issued. Once the high-risk violation is resolved, the owner or operator shall advise the insurer for reinspection and verification, so that the high-risk violation can be resolved in the BPV COI Portal, and a COI can be issued.

This initiative is part of Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA) transition to an Outcome-Based Regulator that ensures the collection of high-quality, consistent and complete data on high-risk non-compliances and incidents.

Until now, compliance data from insurance companies and third-party inspection agencieswas not systematically tracked or analyzed. To collect and analyze data on high-risk equipment that could pose an elevated risk to public safety, TSSA has outlined 20 specific violations found during inspections that must be reported through the BPV COI Portal for Insurers. 

The collected data will be used to oversee compliance with safety violations and help: 

• Improve safety-performance tracking     
• Identify and understand risk trends and emerging issues     
• Strengthen public-safety outcomes

                                  Reporting 20 Specific Violations on the BPV COI Portal

High-Risk Violations: 

  • The safety relief device is inoperable.  
  • The safety relief device is missing. 
  • The safety relief device’s pressure setting is incorrect. 
  • The low water cutoff/flow sensing device is inoperable. 
  • The low water cutoff/flow sensing device is missing. 
  • The low water cutoff/flow sensing device is improperly installed. 
  • Level Indicators (Gage Glasses, Bulls Eyes and Fiber Opticals) are inoperable. 
  • Level Indicators (Gage Glasses, Bulls Eyes and Fiber Opticals) are missing. 
  • Pressure-retaining items (e.g. Boiler, Expansion Tanks) have been improperly repaired or altered. 
  • Pressure-retaining items (e.g. Boiler, Expansion Tanks) have material flaws impairing their safe operation(e.g. corrosion, cracks) 
  • The pressure-retaining item is inoperable or being used in an unsafe manner.


Other Reportable Violations: 

  • The safety relief device is improperly installed. 
  • The safety relief device is not set to the correct capacity. 
  • The safety relief device is missing its nameplate or is illegible. 
  • The pressure control is inoperable. 
  • The pressure control is missing. 
  • The temperature control/high-limit device is inoperable.   
  • The temperature control/high-limit device is missing. 
  • The pressure/temperature indicator is inoperable. 
  • The pressure/temperature indicator is missing. 


Note: If an inspector believes a device cannot be operated safely based on some other condition, they can reach out to TSSA at bpvcustomerservice@tssa.org.

When any of the 20 violations are found, they must be submitted via a single Record of Inspection (ROI) submission through the BPV COI Portal for Insurers. Only ROIs that do not include any of the 20 violations can be bulk-uploaded to the Portal. 

Instructions on how insurance companies and third-party inspection agencies can notify TSSA of violations, including how to report resolved violations, is available on TSSA’s Training webpage.

For more information, please stay tuned for updates on the BPV FAQs webpage, contact TSSA’s Customer Contact Centre at 1-877-682-8772 (toll-free) or email customerservices@tssa.org.

This news item was sent to BPV owners, operators, insurers and web subscribers.

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Compliance Standard for Propane Facilities in Effect

Industry: Fuels - All, Fuels - Propane

Category: Regulatory Updates

Apr 14, 2025

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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:


 

IssueCompliance OrderRegulation/Code Clause
The facility must be licensed.       RectifySection 13(1) of O.Reg 211/01
The facility must be operated in accordance with its Risk and Safety Management Plan (RSMP).       RectifySection 3.1(0.1)(d) of O. Reg. 211/01
Employees must hold a valid Record of Training (ROT) to transfer products.       Cease-and-desistSection 6(1) of O. Reg. 211/01
Employees must be trained in the facility’s emergency procedures.       RectifySection 27(9)(a) of O. Reg. 211/01
Facilities must have operational and maintenance procedure manuals.       RectifyClause 7.22.4 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
An inspection must be conducted by the fuel supplier in the past 12 months.       RectifySection 29(1) of O. Reg. 211/01
Tanks and cylinders must be protected from vehicular impact.       RectifyClause 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).       RectifyClause 5.3.3 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Access must be provided for firefighting personnel.       RectifyClause 7.12.2 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
The emergency electrical shut-off switch must be clearly identified, readily accessible and operational.       RectifyClause 7.19.1.7 of the CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Hoses must be in good condition.       RectifyClause 5.9 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 code
Equipment at the facility must be approved.       RectifyClause 4.2.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Liquid piping must be installed with hydrostatic relief valve(s) between shut-off valve(s).       RectifyClause 5.6.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Hydrostatic relief valve(s) must discharge away from the tank or cylinder.       RectifyClause 5.8.3 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
The tank inspection must be conducted every 10 years.      RectifyClause 1.6 of Propane Code Adoption Document
Pressure relief valves must be inspected every 5 years.       RectifyClause 1.7 of Propane Code Adoption Document
Relief valve(s) must be protected with loose-fitting cap(s).       RectifyClause 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.       RectifyClause 7.3.5 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Tanks must have an excess flow valve or a back-check valve.       RectifyClause 7.4.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Tanks must be equipped with liquid level gauges.       RectifyClause 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.       RectifyClause 7.9.5 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Portable storage at the facility must not exceed the allowed capacity of the RSMP.       RectifySection 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.       RectifyClause 7.17.1 of CAN/CSA-B149.2
Cylinders must be stored in an upright position.       RectifyClause 6.1.8 of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Required fencing must meet code requirements.       RectifyClause 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.       RectifyClause 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.       RectifyClause 7.19.3(b) of CAN/CSA-B149.2 Code
Vehicle dispenser hose(s) must be equipped with breakaway couplings.RectifyClause 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.

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Compliance Standard for Liquid Fuels Facilities in Effect

Industry: Fuels - All, Fuels - Liquid Fuels

Category: Regulatory Updates

Apr 14, 2025

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The Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard came into effect on April 14, 2025, for all licensed retail liquid fuels facilities in Ontario. 
  
The Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard seeks to enhance the safety of liquid fuels facilities across Ontario by:

  • Prioritizing high-risk non-compliances that pose significant safety risks: To 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 approach to 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 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. 
   
Below is a list of high-risk non-compliances in the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard:

IssueCompliance OrderRegulation/Code Clause
The facility must be licensed.  RectifySection 10(1) of O. Reg. 217/01
Any modification to the facility requires approval.  RectifySection 22(4) of O. Reg. 217/01
Employees must be trained in emergency procedures.  RectifyClause 6.5.2 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Copies of the inventory control must be made available.  RectifyClause 1.2.3 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Annual shear-valve and leak-detection system tests and maintenance records must be available.  RectifyClause 4.6.9 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
The sump leak detection system must be interlocked to shut off product flow.RectifyClause 4.6.10 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Copies of the current precision leak tests must be available.  RectifyClause 7.3.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Current corrosion protection reports for the underground storage tank system(s) must be available.  RectifyClause 2.3.1.2 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
The cathodic protection test report must indicate a passing result.  RectifyClause 2.3.1.4 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Equipment must be approved and installed according to the code and manufacturer's instructions and be appropriate for the intended use.  RectifyClause 1.3.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
The product must be dispensed or vented at least 3 metres from any ignition source.  RectifyClause 6.3.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
All applicable stage 1 vapour recovery equipment must be installed, operated and maintained.  RectifyClause 1.3.2 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Dispenser hose(s) must be equipped with approved emergency breakaway device(s).  RectifyClause 4.6.13 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Dispenser(s) sumps must be leak-tight.  RectifyClause 4.5.2.7 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Any loss of liquid or gain of water in the tank(s) not attributed to condensation must be investigated.  RectifyClause 7.3.5(a) of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
Video monitoring images must be adequately sized and clear enough to allow the attendant to read a vehicle’s licence plate held by a person in the fueling area.  RectifyClause 5.2.5 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code
A manual leak detection system(s) must comply with the Liquid Fuels Handling Code.RectifyClause C.1.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code

Visit the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard webpage for more information or watch a recording of the webinar on Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard held on March 27, 2025.

This news item was sent to liquid fuels contractors and facilities, Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard webinar attendees and Fuels web subscribers.

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Updated Advisory: Alternate Process for Pressure Piping Inspection

Industry: Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Category: Regulatory Updates

Apr 03, 2025

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The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has updated the advisory on the Alternate Process for Pressure Piping Inspection that took effect on October 1, 2023.

A key update is the addition of CSA-Certified Medical Gas Piping and Systems Installer Certificate (clause 2.3.2) as one of the requirements a qualified piping contractor must meet to inspect eligible piping systems as an alternative to a TSSA inspection under the Alternate Process.

Other minor updates serve to clarify some of the requirements of this voluntary process.

Click to read the updated advisory.

This news item was shared with BPV Certificate of Authorization (Piping) holders and web subscribers.

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Webinar Recordings of Propane & Liquid Fuels Compliance Standards

Industry: Fuels - All

Category: Regulatory Updates

Apr 02, 2025

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The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) hosted two webinars on Compliance Standards for Propane and Liquid Fuels on March 25 and March 27, 2025, respectively. 

To enhance safety and regulatory consistency, TSSA will apply Compliance Standards for Propane and Liquid Fuels during periodic inspections with effect from April 14, 2025.

The webinars were intended to give attendees an overview of how compliance standards work, indicate TSSA’s expectations, outline safety obligations and highlight Propane and Liquid Fuels Compliance Standards. We hope those who attended the webinars have a better understanding of how Compliance Standards will enhance the safety of licensed propane-filling and retail liquid fuels facilities across Ontario by prioritizing high-risk non-compliances and promoting inspection consistency. 

Below are recordings of the respective webinars: 

Propane Compliance Standard webinar

Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard webinar

Visit our website for more information:

Propane Compliance Standard

Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard

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Seeking Feedback on Boilers & Pressure Vessels Code Adoption Document

Industry: Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Category: Regulatory Updates

Mar 24, 2025

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Consultation closes on April 24, 2025

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) invites you to provide feedback on its draft publication of the Code Adoption Document (CAD) for Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPV). 
 
The CAD adopts the latest CSA B51:24 code with additional revisions to sections 3 to 9 of the CAD. Section 2 of the CAD adopting CSA B52:23 has not been changed. 

The opportunity to provide feedback is open for 30 days from March 24 to April 24, 2025. TSSA aims to publish the final CAD after reviewing feedback from the consultation. 

Please visit BPV Code Adoption Document Consultation 2025 to provide your feedback.

QR code for BPV CAD Consultation 2025

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Shakir Majeedi at smajeedi@tssa.org for assistance.

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Boilers and Pressure Vessels: Insurers to Report Specific Violations Found During Inspections

Industry: Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Category: Regulatory Updates

Mar 17, 2025

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The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will require insurers to report specific violations through TSSA’s Boilers and Pressure Vessels Certificate of Inspection (BPV COI) Portal for Insurers beginning April 14, 2025. High-risk violations must be resolved by the device owners before a Certificate of Inspection can be issued.

Why This Matters
This initiative is part of TSSA’s transition to an outcome-based regulatory approach, ensuring the collection of high quality, consistent, and complete data on high-risk non-compliances and incidents.

Currently, compliance data from insurance inspectors is not systematically tracked or analyzed. This new process will enable TSSA to receive, track, and analyze data on high-risk devices that could pose an elevated public safety risk. The collected data will help:
 
• Improve safety performance tracking
• Identify and understand risk trends and emerging issues
• Strengthen public safety outcomes

Next Steps
TSSA is finalizing a Director’s Order related to this initiative. We are sharing an advanced copy of the Director’s Order with you to ensure it is written clearly. See attached.

Advice on wording can be shared through tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org by March 31, 2025.

Stay tuned for further updates.

This news item was sent to BPV owners, operators, insurers and web subscribers.

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Compliance Standard for Propane Facilities Launching on April 14, 2025

Industry: Fuels - All, Fuels - Propane

Category: Regulatory Updates

Mar 03, 2025

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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

 
REGISTER NOW

This news item was sent to propane facility owners and operators and Fuels web subscribers.

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Compliance Standard for Liquid Fuels Facilities Launching on April 14, 2025

Industry: Fuels - All, Fuels - Liquid Fuels

Category: Regulatory Updates

Mar 03, 2025

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On April 14, 2025, the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard will take effect for all licensed liquid fuels facilities in Ontario.  The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will apply this standard during periodic inspections to enhance safety and regulatory consistency. 
  
The Liquid Fuels 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 liquid fuels 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 Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard: 
  
Date    :  Thursday, March 27, 2025 
Time    : 10:00– 11:00 a.m. (EST) 
  
Webinar Topics

  • How the Liquid Fuels 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   
     

REGISTER NOW

This news item was sent to liquid fuels contractors and facilities and Fuels web subscribers. 

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Director’s Order on Smartrise SRA (V3 Cedes) Controllers with Cedes Position System

Industry: Elevating Devices

Category: Regulatory Updates

Feb 21, 2025

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The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has issued a Director’s Safety Order on Smartrise SRA (V3 CEDES) Controllers with single door zone sensor.
 
This order 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.

Safety Concern
This Director’s Order addresses a safety issue that could result in serious injury or death. During a Category 5 test on a traction elevator equipped with a Smartrise SRA (V3 CEDES) controller, CEDES Absolute Positioning System, and a single door zone sensor (sensing the position 75 mm above or below a landing), a mechanic observed that a single door zone sensor (either Magnet or Optical) can fail, and the elevator may move with the doors open. The car travelled toward the nearest landing with both the hall and car doors open, before stopping at the landing. The failure of the single sensor was not detected.
 
Actions Required
All owners and licensees shall ensure that their elevators are:

  • Assessed in accordance with section 2 not later than June 1, 2025; and
  • Have software altered and submit a Minor A Alteration Design Submission in compliance with section 3 of this order not later than December 1, 2025, where applicable.

Elevators not in conformance with the timelines above shall be removed from service until the required actions are completed.
 
Read the Director's Safety Order for full details.

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