With the goal of enhancing the safety and availability of elevators in Ontario, and following a new provincial regulation, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has launched a Residential Elevator Availability Portal. Effective July 1, 2022, elevator owners and licensees (those in charge of the elevating device as the licence holder) must report extended elevator outages through the portal.
Quick Facts
- Elevators in residential buildings and long-term care homes that have been out of service for more than 48 hours must get reported to TSSA.
- The reporting must occur within 30 days after the elevator has returned to service.
- Only elevator owners and licensees can use the portal to report elevator outages.
- Anyone can view elevator outage records without logging in to the portal.
- The portal provides historical elevator outage records and does not show real-time information about elevators that are currently out of service.
Data on elevator outages will be used for public reporting purposes and to inform and shape future regulatory decisions on elevator safety and availability.
For more information, visit TSSA’s Elevator Availability Information Page and read the Online FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions.
After first launching three years ago, TSSA is continuing its Fuel Oil Distributor Audit Program that will require distributors to demonstrate their compliance with the Fuel Oil regulation, O. Reg. 213/01. The Fuel Oil regulation, O. Reg. 213/01, has six primary requirements that are a distributor’s responsibilities. They are as follows:
- Initial and Periodic Inspections
- Underground Tank Registrations
- Supply to a Compliant Site
- Employees’ Certification and Compliance
- Incident Reporting
- Identification, Action as Required and Reporting of non-compliances (unacceptable conditions)
Distributors are responsible for complying with the above six primary requirements. TSSA’s audit will require the distributor to demonstrate compliance through their processes and records.
Regarding the first requirement listed above “Initial and Periodic Inspections”, if there is no process to verify distributor inspections, TSSA will now do a field verification. If TSSA does a field verification and non-compliances are found, orders will be issued to address the specific non-compliances including the following “as a person who supplies fuel to containers and tank systems, you are hereby ordered to develop a program whereby you can demonstrate that you have taken every precaution that is reasonable to ensure the inspections required by 7(1) of Ontario Regulation 213/01 (Fuel Oil) are accurate”.
Please see these advisories for further detail on the fuel oil distributor audit program:
- Introduction of TSSA’s Fuel Oil Distributor Audit Program
- Validation Programs associated with TSSA’s Fuel Oil Distributor Audit Program, Advisory FS-247-19 R2
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. 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, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and
New analysis leads to improved Compliance Standards and reduction of high-risk orders
TSSA is making changes to the compliance standards for hydraulic and traction elevators launched earlier this year. The changes result in a more effective safety program with very focused requirements in the compliance standards. This means there are fewer high-risk orders that can be issued on a periodic inspection than originally communicated earlier this year.
On March 1, 2023, new compliance standards for hydraulic and traction elevators, and escalators took effect. Compliance standards help device owners and operators better understand their safety priorities. There may be public safety consequences if any requirements in a compliance standard are not addressed. If there is a non-compliance a device may be shut down or an order issued to resolve within 14 days.
The new compliance standards for hydraulic and traction elevators take effect on June 12, 2023. For more information, visit TSSA’s website. Another webinar will be available on July 11 explaining how compliance standards work. This follows the webinars held earlier this year that first introduced compliance standards.
TSSA develops compliance standards using an evidence-based and data driven approach to identify requirements and safety priorities.
After careful analysis, TSSA revised its risk threshold which resulted in a more effective safety program with very focused requirements in the compliance standards. Making this change to the compliance standards will use inspection resources to the greatest benefit with a goal of improving safety.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority has posted an advisory, "Electrical Approval Requirements for Equipment and Installations subject to TSSA Approval."
Fuels Safety Program reviews fuel systems and device design submissions to ensure compliance with the Technical Standards and Safety (TSS) Act and its adopted regulations, safety codes and standards. Applicable codes require that an electrical portion of the fuel system comply with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
To ensure that the equipment or installation is electrically safe, Fuels Safety will require evidence of an acceptable electrical approval prior to the inspection of field approvals or inspections of fuel facilities. TSSA will not pass an inspection or apply a Field Approval label if there is no evidence of electrical approval.
Please read advisory FS-268-23 for details.
Fuels Safety Program
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority has posted an advisory on the responsibilities of contractors and certificate holders who install and commission gaseous appliances and fuel distributors who supply fuel to those appliances at residential homes, particularly during construction. The CSA B-149.1, Natural Gas and Propane Installation, code requires that all appliances be installed and commissioned in compliance with code and manufacturer’s instructions.
Please read advisory FS-262-23 for details.
Fuels Safety Program
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Bearings on all Dover-Turnbull counterweights with 2-to-1 roping to be assessed and monitored
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority has issued a Director’s Safety Order and an Advisory on the safety risk posed when a bearing on a 2-to-1 counterweight sheave arrangement fails.
- Director's Safety Order on Turnbull-Dover Elevator 2:1 Roped Counterweights:
This safety order requires counterweight as outlined in the Order to be located, accessed and retrofitted. Compliance timelines include ensuring that installations are assessed by August 30, 2023, and retrofitted by April 30, 2024. Please read Director's Safety Order 302/22 for details.
- Advisory on 2:1 Roped Counterweights:
This advisory, which relates to the Director's Safety Order 302/22 above, brings awareness to the maintenance and monitoring of bearings on 2:1 roped counterweights to ensure they are not presenting signs of failure. Please read Advisory 303/22 for details.
Elevating and Amusement Devices Safety Program
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will not be launching elevator, escalator and ski lift compliance standards that were previously scheduled to go live in November 2022. The change in timeline will allow for necessary workforce training, industry education, and systems preparation, following the recent inspector strike.
The following compliance standards are affected by the launch postponement:
- Electric / Traction Elevators
- Hydraulic Elevators
- Escalator Contractors
- Escalator Owners and Operators
- Above-Surface Passenger Ropeways
- Conveyors
- Fibre or Rope Tows
- Surface Passenger Ropeways
TSSA will share more details in early 2023.
Elevator outage data will be used for public reporting and to help shape regulatory decisions
Starting July 1, 2022, owners and licensees* of elevators in residential buildings and long-term care homes are required to report elevator outages lasting 48 hours or longer via the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) Residential Elevator Availability Portal. The reporting needs to be completed within 30 days after the day the elevator was returned to service.
The portal provides the following functions:
• View elevator outage records reported to TSSA
• Report elevator outages
• Correct elevator outage data
(*Licensee: The person in charge of the elevating device as the licence holder.)
Report Outages by Elevator Owners and Licensees
Only elevator owners and licensees can use the portal to report elevator outages lasting 48 hours or longer by entering a user ID and password, which can be created using the following information:
- Customer name and number (found on a recent TSSA invoice – see sample below)
- Installation number (found on an elevating device licence)
Sample invoice:
To report outages, click the “Login” button and select the “Report Elevator Outages” tab:
View Elevator Outage Records by Elevator Users
Anyone can view elevator outage records without logging in to the portal. Elevator users and members of the public can view elevator outage records by:
- Entering the postal code of the residential building or long-term care home where the elevator outage occurred
- Indicating the desired date range during which the elevator outage occurred
The portal does not show real-time information about elevators that are out of service. If elevator users have concerns about the reporting status of an elevator in a residential building or long-term care home that was out of service for 48 hours or longer and more than 30 days have passed since the elevator was returned to service, they are encouraged to contact the elevator owner and ask them to report the outage.
Reporting Elevator Outages is Important
Reporting elevator outages is a regulatory requirement that seeks to enhance the availability, safety and maintenance of elevators in Ontario. Data collected from elevator outage reports will inform and shape future regulatory decisions on elevators.
The Elevator Availability webpage will be updated periodically as we launch the reporting portal. For more information, visit Frequently Asked Questions.
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services includes public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement and prosecution activities.
TSSA is getting ready to launch compliance standards for elevators, escalators, and ski lifts. Compliance standards promote and support the safety of employees, contractors, customers, and the public by focusing the efforts of TSSA, contractors and owners on promptly addressing high-risk non-compliances.
A compliance standard is a list that clearly defines high-risk items for specific devices. Evidence-based and data-driven, they were developed by analyzing hazards and risks found through inspection and incident history, with valuable input from industry. The compliance standard identifies non-compliances where TSSA will follow-up to confirm resolution.
The compliance standard is formatted like a checklist. It is intended to drive consistency in TSSA inspections and make it easier for regulated parties to understand their responsibilities.
While compliance standards clearly identify high risks, the regulated party is responsible for addressing all non-compliances on their inspection report. TSSA’s expectation is that the contractor and owner work together to ensure that these high-risk orders are no longer present when the inspector attends the site to complete a periodic inspection.
Compliance standards will be introduced into the periodic inspection program starting November 1, 2022. TSSA has made them available online in advance to allow industry time to prepare for when these standards come into effect, and they will remain on TSSA’s website for reference.
On November 1, TSSA will be rolling out compliance standards as follows:
Elevators
Escalators
Ski lifts
- Ropeways, Conveyors
- Above-Surface Passenger Ropeway
- Surface Passenger Ropeway
- Fibre or Rope Tow
- Conveyors
Items identified as high-risk during a periodic inspection are considered showstoppers. Inspectors will issue a standard order for these items to be rectified within a specific period of time, based on the level of risk the contravention poses and the severity of the contravention’s consequences to the public. In some cases, equipment may be shut down immediately and in other cases the owner will be given a deadline to correct the non-compliance. A follow up inspection will be scheduled to ensure all high-risk non-compliances have been addressed.
Other medium- and low-risk non-compliances are categorized as safety tasks. These items will be noted on the inspection report and reassessed during the next periodic inspection. Owners and operators are responsible for addressing these safety tasks to mitigate long-term risk and remain fully compliant with safety laws. However, TSSA will not follow up on these medium- and low-risk non-compliances but plans to audit select devices to ensure safety tasks are being resolved.
New inspection reports will make it easy for customers to know what is high risk and needs to be addressed immediately, and what needs to be done as part of a regular safety management plan.
TSSA will be hosting a series of live webinars in September 2022 to provide the industry with more information about compliance standards, demonstrate how they’ll be used and answer questions. Watch for more details to come during the summer.
For more information or questions about TSSA’s new compliance standards, please contact customerservices@tssa.org.
Benefits of new compliance standards that emphasize high-risk elements
- Ensure that regulated parties understand and address high-risk items within a specified timeframe and long before a periodic inspection
- Provide a clear list of items that pose a high risk to public safety for which TSSA inspectors will follow up
- Establish a follow-up program to ensure high-risk items are addressed and made safe
- Clearly indicate when devices need to be repaired or shut down
- Clearly define the responsibilities of owners and contractors
- Clearly outline the processes and consequences associated with non-compliance
The result is that everyone involved has a clearer understanding of what constitutes a high-risk item and how to keep their equipment safe.
To legally operate a business, facility or device in Ontario, those in TSSA-regulated industries must maintain a current TSSA licence or registration. Active authorizations are necessary for TSSA to have oversight of the technical operations it regulates.
Last summer, TSSA informed authorization holders of its policy for reinstating lapsed authorizations. In an effort to help regulated parties keep their authorizations in good standing and remain compliant with safety laws, while further protecting the wellbeing of Ontarians, TSSA provides regulated parties with notice of renewal on a number of occasions using various outreach methods.
Starting May 2, 2022, TSSA will begin active outreach to former authorization holders whose authorizations expired between April 30, 2016, and April 30, 2021, to bring the operations back into compliance, if warranted, and ensure they’re performing safely.
TSSA will contact former authorization holders using a staggered timeline for each safety program area.
- Elevating Devices – Commencing May 2, 2022
- Boilers and Pressure Vessels – Commencing late July/early August 2022
- Fuels – Commencing November 1, 2022
Please note that these dates are subject to change, to maintain effective workflow management and customer service levels.
Learn more about TSSA’s Lapsed Authorizations and Historical Lapsed Authorizations Policy and get answers to frequently asked questions about fees associated with lapsed authorizations, requalification requirements, leave of absence considerations, and more.
Please contact TSSA if you have any questions about ensuring your TSSA authorizations are current.