The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulates fuels in Ontario — including propane tanks for home barbecues, patio heaters and other appliances.
Visit our BBQ Safety to learn about how to operate your BBQ safely.
Propane Tanks in Recreational Vehicles
Faulty propane cylinders can quickly produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you use a propane appliance in your recreational vehicle (RV), install a carbon monoxide detector that will warn you if carbon monoxide levels rise. Visit our Carbon Monoxide Safety page to learn how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Keep propane cylinders, relief valves and regulating equipment either outside your RV or in a gas-tight compartment that is sealed off from the interior of the vehicle. This way, if your propane leaks, it will escape outside the RV. Consider installing a propane leak alarm.
Use a tested and certified propane cylinder that is marked with the logo of the Canadian Gas Association (CGA), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or International or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). Find out more about Approved Certification Marks.
Only a registered fuels technician may legally install or remove propane piping, tubing equipment and appliances in any RV. Use our Find a Fuels Contractor tool to locate a registered fuels contractor near you.
When refilling your propane, shut off all interior burners, pilot lights, appliances and automatic ignition switches. Shut off the RV motor, and have all passengers leave the vehicle.
Storing propane for your RV
Never store propane cylinders indoors. For safety reasons, remove the propane cylinder from any appliance you need to store indoors.
Store propane cylinders upright. Protect them against any kind of tampering, unauthorized movement, dropping, or impact that could result in a leak or fire.
Safeguard stored propane cylinders with tamper-proof, vehicle-proof protection, such as in a locked cage or a fenced-in area. Do not store propane cylinders indoors, in a garage, close to operational heaters, or near smoking areas.
Keep propane cylinders at least one metre (three feet) from any building opening. You must also keep them three metres (10 feet) from any sidewalk or air intake. Keep them the same distance from any adjoining property occupied by schools, churches, hospitals, athletic fields, or other points of gathering.
Do not store more than 25 twenty-pound propane cylinders together.
Transporting propane in an RV
You may transport up to five twenty-pound propane cylinders in your RV. If you transport more than five twenty-pound propane cylinders, you must follow Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations.
Store and transport propane with care. Do not mount cylinders onto the roof or back of the RV. To store and transport your propane, use the designated space in your RV.
Propane Tanks for Patio Heaters
Visit our Patio Heaters Safety page for helpful tips on how to safely use a propane patio heater.
Propane Tanks on Food Trucks
If you own or operate mobile food service equipment — commonly known as a food truck — visit our Food Truck Safety page.