TSSA has posted an updated Guidelines for Registration of Pressure Piping that addresses P-standard registrations.
The P-Standard is a type of piping registration applicable to standard piping design to be installed in multiple locations. The updated guidelines include a new section clarifying what can be registered as a P-standard.
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.
Consultation closes on March 7, 2025
TSSA invites you to provide feedback on its publication of the Code Adoption Document (CAD) for Fuel Oil.
The CAD adopts a series of national safety codes into regulation. There are two separate codes adopted in the CAD which was last updated and published in 2021.
The opportunity to provide feedback will be open until March 7, 2025. TSSA aims to publish the final CAD approximately two months after reviewing consultation feedback.
Please visit EngageTSSA to comment on the 2025 Fuel Oil CAD.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has posted a new advisory outlining new licensing regime requirements for the transportation of compressed gas.
As of February 3, 2025, TSSA has adopted a new licensing regime that will require a licence to be issued for each transport truck carrying a bulk container certified as meeting the requirements of Transport Canada or the U.S. Department of Transportation. A licence will be issued only if it has passed an inspection performed by a TSSA inspector.
Previously, TSSA permitted the transport of compressed hydrogen and compressed natural gas through a non-permanent variance application that expires every two years. Approved variances are tied to user location and may or may not include a pressure reduction system and more than one tube trailer under the same approval.
Read the advisory for details.
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.
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:
- Apply for a variance to provide time to upgrade existing pipelines or reduce the operating pressure;
or
- Conduct and submit an engineering assessment to TSSA to determine the suitability of the continued use of the pipeline.
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.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority has posted a Director's Order on propane storage tanks designed for 200 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG).
Pursuant to section 14(2) of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, the Director orders any tank that has a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of less than 250 psig to be taken out of service. This requirement is effective as of October 1, 2025.
While all new installations require 250 psig tanks, there are existing propane storage tanks designed for 200 psig installed and in service. With the aging of these tanks, it is unsafe to allow their continued operation. Given the limited number of propane storage tanks designed for 200 psig installed in the field, most provinces have agreed that 200 psig propane storage tanks should be taken out of circulation as they are not in accordance with the code.
Please read the Director's Order for details.
TSSA has kicked off an initiative asking owners of boilers and pressure vessels (BPVs) to verify the operating status of devices that were certified at one time but do not currently have a valid Certificate of Inspection (COI).
TSSA has designed a simple process to allow owners to access a list of unverified BPVs and report on them through the BPV Certificate of Inspection (COI) Portal for Owners. BPVs may be in different operating statuses (such as Actively Operating, Removed from Service, Changed Ownership, or Exempt from Inspection).
To view and obtain a listing of unverified devices and report their operating status, please log in to your TSSA BPV COI Portal account. Refer to Owners' Instructions on how to report the operating status of unverified inventory via the BPV COI Owners Portal.
TSSA’s licensing process is essential for ensuring that all BPVs operating actively in Ontario are initially inspected for compliance with the applicable Codes and standards. Subsequently, these BPVs undergo periodic inspections at pre-determined intervals throughout their operational lifespan to ensure continued safety.
Owners or operators of a BPV in Ontario are required to follow O. Reg. 220/01 which says you must hold a valid COI to operate a BPV, and that you must report a change in operating status to TSSA per Section 8: “Upon permanently removing a boiler, pressure vessel, fitting or piping from operation or use, the owner, the operator or any other person responsible for it or in immediate charge of it shall forthwith notify the director of the removal in the form published by the Corporation”.
For more information, read the FAQ on Unverified BPVs for Owners.
If you require assistance or have questions about this initiative, please get in touch with a BPV Technical Advisor at BPVCustomerservice@tssa.org.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has published the Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPV) Code Adoption Document (CAD) Amendment and the associated Consultation Summary after reviewing feedback from the consultation that closed on July 16, 2024.
Please read the latest BPV CAD Amendment and the Consultation Summary on TSSA's website.