Am I Regulated?

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulates the transportation, storage, handling and utilization of fuels in Ontario.

In accordance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 and other applicable regulations, codes and standards, the mandate of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) Fuels Safety Program is to regulate the transportation, storage, handling and use of these fuels in Ontario:

  • Natural gas

  • Digester gas

  • Landfill gas

  • Hydrogen

  • Propane

  • Butane

  • Fuel oil

  • Gasoline

  • Diesel    
     

The Fuels Safety Program’s core regulatory services include:

  • Inspections: Conduct inspections and license pipelines, gas stations, propane filling stations, marinas and tanker trucks.

  • Licensing/Certification/Registration: Issue licences to operate fuel facilities and pipelines, register contractors and certify tradespersons who install and service fuel-burning equipment.

  • Compliance Support/Education: Offer training and certification services related to fuels safety in Ontario, including the accreditation of colleges or trade schools that administer courses pursuant to the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.

  • Engineering: Review and approve facility plans for TSSA-licensed sites and perform custom equipment approvals and inspections to ensure fuel is handled and used safely.

  • Incident Investigation/Reporting: Investigate incidents and reports of non-compliance and provide technical expertise to industry stakeholders, safety partners and consumers.

  • Technical Advisory Services: Work with industry partners to mitigate issues and improve compliance outcomes to keep Ontarians safe.
     

See TSSA Fuels Safety Quick Facts (pdf) for a graphic representation of the Fuels Safety Program’s services.

Regulations

Fuels-related Ontario Regulations cover the following.

Oil and Gas Pipelines

O. Reg. 210/01: Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems covers:

  • the design, construction, operation and maintenance of oil and gas industry pipeline systems that convey liquid hydrocarbons, including crude oil, condensate, liquid petroleum products, natural gas liquids and liquefied petroleum gas

  • any gas or mixture of gases suitable for domestic or industrial fuel that is conveyed to the user through a pipeline

  • Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document Amendment

Propane Storage and Handling

O. Reg. 211/01: Propane Storage and Handling covers:

  • the storage, handling, transportation and transfer of propane.

  • the installation of appliances, equipment, components, accessories and containers on highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, mobile housing, outdoor food service units, and wash-mobiles when propane is to be used for fuel purposes.

  • the installation of containers and equipment to be used for propane in distribution locations and filling plants and on tank trucks.

  • the conversion of highway and industrial vehicles to propane from gasoline or other hydrocarbon fuels.

Gaseous Fuels

O. Reg. 212/01: Gaseous Fuels covers:

  • the installation, testing, maintenance, repair, removal, replacement, inspection and use of appliances, equipment, components and accessories where gaseous fuels are to be used for fuel purposes

  • the installation of VRAs (Vehicle Refueling Appliances), without storage, having a total flow rate below 1.0 cubic metre per minute (35 cubic feet per minute)

  • Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document Amendment

Fuel Oil

O. Reg. 213/01: Fuel Oil covers:

Compressed Gas

O. Reg. 214/01: Compressed Gas covers:

  • the construction, operation and maintenance of GV (meaning a gas that is used as engine fuel for a vehicle) retail or private refuelling stations

  • the conversion of highway and industrial vehicles to GV from gasoline or other hydrocarbon fuels

  • the bulk containers and manifolded portable containers used as a temporary source of gas

  • the transportation of compressed gas in a bulk container

  • the use of hydrogen as a fuel to be used in vehicles, and

  • the storage of compressed hydrogen

  • Compressed Gas Code Adoption Document Amendment

Liquid Fuels

O. Reg. 217/01: Liquid Fuels covers:

  • facilities (a permanent or mobile retail outlet, bulk plant, marina, cardlock/keylock, private outlet or farm) where gasoline or an associated product is handled, loaded or dispensed to be used as a fuel in motor vehicles.

  • Liquid Fuels Handling Code Adoption Document Amendment

Requirements for contractors

The following regulations apply to the registration and/or certification requirements for contractors or businesses that perform work on fuel-related devices, equipment and facilities. The regulations also apply to workers, such as gas fitters and mechanics.