The CPA has secured a new equivalency that makes bulk truck operations safer for drivers. After years of advocacy from the propane industry, this effort has finally paid off. 

Equivalency Certificate SH 14614 removes the need for drivers to crawl under the truck before and after deliveries to close a valve. It also permits leaving gauge and liquid level valves open, ensuring their functionality during bulk truck activities. 

As per Transport Canada, please note that the conditions listed in the equivalency certificate must be adhered to at all times. Subsection 31(4) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act, 1992 stipulates that non-compliance with any terms or conditions invalidates the certificate. Also, subsection 31(6) of the TDG Act, 1992 gives the Minister, or a designated person, the authority to revoke the certificate. Finally, all other requirements of the TDG Regulations must be complied with, unless it’s specifically listed on the certificate. 

Transport Canada has renewed the CPA’s Equivalency Certificate 13263. Don’t forget to update the paperwork in your vehicles!

Issue Date: November 19, 2024
Expiry Date: December 31, 2025

The CPA is actively working on B620 code dockets to ensure that proposed revisions are practical and necessary.  

One proposed code docket suggests that wiring installations should be made explosion-proof. The CPA is advocating to maintain existing practices, arguing that since the truck itself is not explosion-proof and there has been no history of safety incidents related to the current wiring methods, these practices are sufficient to prevent propane ignition.  

Another proposed docket would require the entire tank system to undergo retesting following a minor piping repair under B620 standards. The CPA has advocated that only the repaired section of piping should require pressure testing, rather than the entire system. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low Carbon Fuels Division will be holding an outreach session on the Clean Fuel Regulations on December 4, 2024, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET. Information will include key reminders for credit-creation and upcoming key dates.  

Meeting details: 

• Link: Webex  

• Or join: https://canada.webex.com/
  • Meeting number: 2773 753 9537
  • Password: CaT7Vzus@39

For any questions or feedback, email the Low Carbon Fuels Division. 

For information on the regulations, view the following links:  

• Clean Fuel Regulations and Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement 

• CFR Webpage 

• Fuel LCA Model 

• CFR Specifications for Fuel LCA Model CI Calculations: Carbon Intensity Calculations for the Clean Fuel Regulations 

• Supplemental Documents: Compliance with the Clean Fuel Regulations – Canada.ca 

• Google Drive 

The federal government’s proposed Oil and Gas Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap Draft Regulations were published on November 9, 2024, in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for a 60-day public comment period.  

The proposed regulations would establish a greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade system for upstream oil and gas and liquified natural gas production. The following information is available on the government’s website:  

• News Release 

• Backgrounder 

• Quantification Methodologies

Environment and Climate Change Canada will be organizing a series of information webinars on the proposed regulations. For questions, contact PlanPetrolieretGazier-OilandGasPlan@ec.gc.ca. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has published information pertaining to approved carbon intensities (CI) under the Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR). This information is available in Folder 4 of the CFR Google Drive: Approved Carbon Intensity Under the Clean Fuel Regulations.  

The information presented is limited to the CI applicants who provided consent on publication of certain information pertaining to their approved CIs.  

If your organization has obtained an approved CI and wishes to be included in the next publication, please email ECCC’s Low Carbon Fuels Division at cfsncp@ec.gc.ca. If there is additional interest, this publication may be updated in Winter 2024-2025. 

After reviewing industry consultation feedback, Technical Safety BC is increasing its design registration fees by 13%, effective January 21, 2025. TSBC says it has reduced average turnaround time for standard services, added payment options to the Design Registration Portal, and made other improvements.  It says the fee change is required to continue enhancing the design registration process by investing in new technology, optimizing application workflow, and improving client support. View the updated fee schedule here. 

TSBC is still reviewing consultation feedback on the introduction of new cancellation fees for elevating devices and gas, as well as changing the existing cancellation fee structure for boilers, pressure vessels, and refrigeration and will communicate that outcome once it is determined.  

The following Building STANDATA is now available on the Alberta.ca website. Follow the links below to view or print copies.  

• 23-BCI-008 Smoke detectors in smoke or fire/smoke damper installations (alberta.ca) 

• STANDATA interpretation: building [National Building Code-2023 Alberta Edition] – Open Government

To view all Building STANDATA click here. For questions or information contact safety.services@gov.ab.ca or the Communication Inquiry Centre at 1-866-421-6929. 

The Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan has issued new rates for propane permits. Propane permits under 2000 USWG are subject to a flat rate of $215 per application (regardless of number of tanks) provided they are ready for inspection on the same date and same location, effective July 1, 2024. In addition, a fee of $155 per hour plus GST will be invoiced for the cost of the inspection.  Access the Propane Permit under 2000 USWG application. For more information, email info@tsask.ca or phone: 1866-530-8599.  

The Manitoba Inspection and Technical Services (ITS) has released a bulletin clarifying the requirements for propane storage tanks with a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of 200 psig. Under the Gas and Oil Burner Act and the CSA B149.2-20 Propane Storage and Handling Code, propane tanks must have an MAWP of at least 250 psig to remain in compliance.  

Subject to Clause 5.2.3 b), a tank shall have a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of not less than 250 psig (1.72 MPa) and the tank, and its PRD shall be in compliance with CSA B51 and applicable provincial or territorial regulations covering unfired pressure vessels.  

Effective immediately, propane tanks with an MAWP below 250 psig must be removed from service unless they hold a valid operating certificate under the Steam and Pressure Plants Act. In such cases, these tanks will be granted a grace period until the certificate expires.   

Manitoba also prohibits the use of 200 psig propane tanks relocated from other provinces. For more information, contact ITS via email at TechnicalServices@gov.mb.ca or by phone at 204-945-3373, or visit the ITS website. 

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority is seeking feedback on its revised Incident Reporting advisory. The opportunity to provide feedback is open until November 30, 2024. TSSA plans to publish the final advisory after reviewing consultation feedback. Go to Engage TSSA to provide feedback or visit TSSA’s Public Consultation webpage for details. 

The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) is proposing new 2025 blue box and hazardous and special products program fees. The CPA is pleased to note that there are no fee increases for refillable propane cylinders. RPRA held a webinar on the new fees in October – click here to view the recording. Click here to learn more about RPRA’s program fees, including RPRA’s cost allocation methodology and fee models. 

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority has issued a Director’s Order requiring that any tank that with a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of less than 250 psig be taken out of service, effective as of October 1, 2025.  

Section 7.1.1 of the CSA B149.2-20 (Propane Storage and Handling Code) states:

“Subject to Clause 5.2.3 b), a tank shall have a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of not less than 250 psig (1.72 MPa) and the tank and its PRD shall be in compliance with CSA B51 and applicable provincial or territorial regulations covering unfired pressure vessels”   

While all new installations require 250 psig tanks, TSSA says there are existing propane storage tanks designed for 200 psig installed and in service. With these tanks aging, TSSA has deemed their continued operation unsafe.  

The Nova Scotia Safety Branch has issued Fuel Safety Directive No. 00009 pursuant to section 30 of the Technical Safety Act:  

Effective January 1, 2025, all permanently installed propane containers must clearly identify the owner’s or gas supplier’s name and emergency contact phone number. The marking must be durable and legible, and in a visible location on the container. The owner or supplier must ensure that the marking is maintained, updated as necessary and kept in legible condition.  

Provincial fuel safety inspectors are required to identify the owner or supplier of a propane container to ensure that the correct parties are notified of any safety issues or code noncompliance.  

In the event of an emergency, first responders have a need to identify the owner or supplier of a propane container to ensure that they can quickly contact the appropriate parties for assistance and information related to the container(s). For more information, contact the Safety Branch at SafetyBranch@novascotia.ca or Labour, Skills and Immigration at 1-800-952-2687.