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 propane and 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:
Gerow Propane Ltd. Fined $80,000 For Safety Violation in Fatal Carbon Monoxide Incident
One fatality and seven injuries resulted from the poisonous gas exposure
Toronto, ON, March 20, 2025 – Brighton-based propane distributor, Gerow Propane Ltd., pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of an offence under the Technical Standards and Safety Act. The offence involved a fatal carbon monoxide exposure at a property in the Township of Hamilton, Ontario. The Ontario Court of Justice ordered Gerow Propane to pay a fine of $80,000, plus a 25 per cent victim surcharge.
Between December 16, 2020, and February 14, 2022, Gerow Propane supplied propane to fuel a boiler installed in the property’s garage for heating purposes. On February 14, 2022, a 57-year-old relative of the property owner was found deceased in the garage from carbon monoxide exposure. Additionally, seven other individuals at the scene, including five firefighters and two heating contractors, were injured by the poisonous gas and were hospitalized.
TSSA’s investigations revealed that the boiler released carbon monoxide into the indoor space, causing the poisonous exposure. The boiler had been built for use with natural gas but was found operating on propane as its fuel source. Without undergoing the necessary conversion, including the installation of a new orifice suited for propane, the boiler allowed products of combustion to leak.
Despite delivering propane to the property on seven occasions, Gerow Propane failed to comply with Ontario Regulation 211/01 prescribed under the Act, which requires propane suppliers to inspect appliances connected to propane to ensure their safe operation and attach a label confirming compliance with safety codes and requirements.
Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), said, “This is a tragic event caused by a serious non-compliance. Propane suppliers have a legal responsibility to ensure that fuel-burning devices are installed in compliance with the applicable codes and can be used safely. Any failure to verify this can lead to harmful consequences such as fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other hazards.”
Mr. Kennedy added, “For consumers, after installing a fuel-burning device in any indoor area, including those separate from your primary living space, it’s best to install a carbon monoxide alarm and have the heating equipment regularly inspected by a qualified fuel contractor. These precautions are important safeguards and could have been life-saving in this case.”
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.
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For more information, 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
Safety Is a Right, Not a Compromise: Beware of Fraudulent Fuels Workers
Fraudulent fuels workers are known for performing less expensive work with cheaper, unsafe materials. This can be dangerous or even deadly.
Toronto, ON, March 17, 2025 – Fraudulent fuels workers, those that are uncertified or unregistered - also known as ‘trunk slammers,’ put Ontarians at risk by offering cut-rate services using substandard materials and unsafe practices.
This Fraud Prevention Month, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is continuing its efforts to help consumers avoid scams that can lead to serious safety consequences.
Through TSSA’s public education campaign, consumers can learn how to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate fuels workers and help curb this safety issue by reporting fraudulent activities and individuals to TSSA.
As ‘trunk slammers’ operate without TSSA registration or certification, their work is neither inspected nor audited for safety. Services from unqualified workers can potentially expose homeowners, residents and businesses to grave dangers, including carbon monoxide poisoning and other hazards. In Ontario, work performed on fuel-burning appliances, including furnace installation and maintenance, must be performed by TSSA-registered contractors.
“Fraudulent fuels workers don’t just take your money—they compromise your safety. Their work is unsafe and is not audited by TSSA,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of TSSA's Fuels Safety Program. “With 9,000 registered contractors and 60,000 certified professionals in Ontario, homeowners have plenty of trusted options. Always choose a registered contractor and verify their status before hiring them.”
Consumers can verify a contractor’s registration using TSSA’s Find a Registered Fuels Contractor lookup tool.
Watch expert videos, read real stories, and access checklists and more on TSSA’s Trunk Slammer Campaign Resources.
When encountering suspicious fuels workers, report them to TSSA by this email: customerservices@tssa.org.
Stay informed throughout the Fraud Prevention Month by following TSSA on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
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.
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For more information, 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
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
This news item was sent to propane facility owners and operators and Fuels web subscribers.
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.
TSSA Urges Ontarians to Keep Gas Meters and Fuel-Burning Appliance Vents Free from Snow and Ice
Toronto, ON, February 13, 2025 – As a major winter storm impacts parts of Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) urges homeowners and residents to check their gas meters and the external exhaust outlets for furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters and all fuel-burning devices to ensure no snow or ice builds up.
Exhaust vents, in particular, often extend out of the side of a home as low as one foot above ground, so they have the potential to get covered and blocked easily without a homeowner’s knowledge, especially when a homeowner is shoveling snow or using a snowblower or when there is a severe snow build-up. When vents are blocked, it can increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) building up inside a home.
CO is a danger commonly referred to as the “Silent Killer” as you can’t smell it, see it or taste it. Data show that in Ontario, about 65% of all CO incidents occur in homes.
Additionally, a snow-covered gas meter can interfere with its ability to regulate gas pressure, creating other serious safety risks.
When snow piles up, check your gas meter and vents. Take Action. Think Safe.
1. Use a car brush or broom to gently remove snow from gas meters and vent pipes. Avoid sharp tools to prevent damage.
2. Never shovel, plow, or blow snow against the meter or vent pipe.
3. Be cautious when using snow blowers to avoid bumping the meter.
4. Refrain from kicking the meter or vent pipes to clear ice or snow.
5. Remove icicles from overhead eaves to prevent dripping water from freezing on the meter or vent pipes.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
TSSA recommends that homeowners install and regularly test certified CO alarms. These alarms provide an early warning of dangerous CO levels, giving residents time to respond and potentially save lives.
CO poisoning symptoms include dizziness, headaches, and nausea. If these symptoms appear, immediately move to fresh air and call emergency services.
For more information visit: 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.
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For more information, 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
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.