In July 2016, British Columbia became the next jurisdiction (and one of the last) to adopt the new 2015 versions of the CSA B149 codes. On July 28, 2016, Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minster Responsible for Housing and Deputy Premier amended the Gas Safety Regulation, BC Reg. 103/2004. The adoption of the codes will take effect on November 1, 2016 with the rest to be adopted one year later on November 1, 2017.
On November 1, 2016, the following CSA codes will be adopted:
- CSA-B149.1-15 Natural Gas & Propane Installation Code;
- CSA-B149.3-15 Code for the Field Approval of Fuel-related Components on Appliances and Equipment;
- CSA-B149.5-15 Installation Code for Propane Fuel Systems and Containers on Motor Vehicles;
- CSA-B109-14 Natural Gas for Vehicles Installation Code;
- ANSI/CSA-B149.6-15 Code for Digester Gas, Landfill Gas, and Biogas Generation and Utilization;
- CSA-B108-14 Compressed Natural Gas Fuelling Stations Installation Code; and
Annex D, “LNG vehicle fuelling stations”, to CAN/CSA-Z276-15 Liquefied natural gas (LNG)- Production, storage, and handling.
One year later, on November 1, 2017, the following CSA codes will be adopted:
• CSA-B149.2-15 Propane Storage & Handling Code; and
• CSA-Z662-15 Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems
Background
The CSA-B149.1-15 was published by the Canadian Standards Association in August 2015. Each Province and Territory of Canada puts into law (adopts) the various Codes on their own specific regulatory schedule. The Gas Safety Act also amends specific clauses within the Code body to address regional requirements.
Specific Clause Amendments
APPENDIX 1 of BC Reg. 103/2004 provides the specific clauses that are amended in CSA-B149.1 Natural Gas & Propane Installation Code including:
- The definition of “gas system” is used for the production, handling and utilization of digester gas in a wastewater treatment plant, (ii) landfill gas at a landfill site, or biogas.
- Adding the definition; “biogas” to mean a gas produced in a digester at a location other than at a wastewater treatment plant; and as” by adding”, biogas” after “landfill gas”.
- 3 Section 28 (8) is amended by adding “or liquefied natural gas” after “liquefied petroleum gas”.
- The remainder of the amendments are used to renumber the clauses to accommodate the insertion of new clauses.
Significant Changes to B149.1
To assist you in understanding the more significant changes in the B149.1, the following is a list of key changes within the 2015 version of the code including:
- Recognition of press connection joints;
- Permitting the use of press-connect fittings on underground piping and tubing systems;
- Use and installation of direct-fired door air heaters that were originally certified to withdrawn Standard CGA 3.12 or CAN 1.3 12-78;
- Listing of installation instructions for refurbished Direct Gas-Fired Make-up Air Heaters that have not been manufactured since 2002;
- To accept check valve technology to prevent flue products backflow issues for common venting of appliances with positive pressure venting;
- To recognize the different types of appliance installations and connector applications;
- Permanently installed appliances where the gas connector is designed not to be repeatedly moved or disconnected/connected to the piping system;
- Movable appliances where the connector is designed for repeated movement, disconnects, and reconnections;
- Gas connectors for outdoor use;
- Quick disconnect devices or gas convenience outlets;
- To recognize the use of a permanently mounted certified hand-operated gas connection outlets that provide a means for connecting and disconnecting an appliance to the gas supply piping by way of a gas hose or gas connector;
- Clarification of how an appliance is to be connected to the gas piping system, which addresses the use of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) systems and tubing system installations and recognizes the use of gas convenience outlets;
- Use and Installation of appliances and equipment for mobile homes; and
- Clarification that an outdoor air supply to an enclosure can be sized using either table 8.3 for appliances having draft control devices or table 8.4 for appliances not having draft control devices.
Impact of One Year Delay on Adopting B149.2
One of the key additions within the 2015 version of the CSA B149.2 Propane Storage and Handling Code is the requirement for documented operating procedures and ongoing maintenance procedures. The delay in adoption will allow operators of propane filling plants and refill centres to come into compliance with the new requirements.
Please note that the above is not a complete listing of all of the amendments to the Codes. Each person using the Code must be in possession of the 2015 edition to identify all amendments.