Policy
Minister's Exemption from the Requirement to Hold a Liquid Propane Fitter (LP) Certificate to Purge Propane Tanks of 2,500 US gallons or less
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 215/01: FUEL INDUSTRY CERTIFICATES
Instrument Type:
Policy
Bill or Act:
Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
Summary of Decision:
The Minister's Exemption can be accessed at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministers-exemption-fuel-industry-certificates-regulation-21501
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
According to work completed with the Canadian Propane Association, representing industry stakeholders, this proposal is anticipated to result in a cost-saving to industry of $4.2 million annually, as a result of the specified propane certificate holders and ROT holders being able to purge propane tanks of 2,500 gallons or less without having to upgrade their qualifications to a full LP certificate.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
24-MPBSD011
Posting Date:
June 27, 2024
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement (MPBSDP) is proposing a Minister's Exemption under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 to safely exempt certain persons from the requirement under the Fuel Industry Certificates regulation (O. Reg. 215/01) to hold a liquid propane fitter (LP) certificate for the activity of purging propane tanks of 2,500 US gallons or less, provided all of the following conditions are met:
The person holds one or more of the following certificates or records of training (ROTs) under the Act:
propane truck operator (PTO);
propane plant operator 1 (PPO-1); or
propane plant operator 2 (PPO-2);
The person is employed by a person registered as a contractor pursuant to O. Reg. 211/01 or a distributor under O. Reg. 211/01;
The person has successfully completed a TSSA-approved training program, including a practical examination from a TSSA-accredited training provider on how to safely evacuate propane tanks; and
The person undergoes either full retraining or skills retesting from a TSSA accredited training provider at three-year intervals.
These changes are intended to address industry concerns with meeting the requirements under CSA B51-19 - Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code. Specifically, under clause 12.7.2, pressure relief valves on tanks of 2,500 USWG or less (excluding cylinders as defined by CSA B149.2) have a maximum servicing interval of 25 years. This is in addition to the TSSA Propane Code Adoption document, clause 7.2.9, which requires that tanks of 2,500 USWG or less shall have the relief valves rebuilt/certified or replaced every 25 years. All overdue relief valves shall be rebuilt/certified or replaced by May 1, 2027. MPBSDP has worked closely with TSSA and the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) on this initiative, to support reducing burden on businesses while maintaining public safety.
Questions:
Business Owners,
If you are the owner of a business that is affected by the 2027 deadline, to help inform our impact analysis, we welcome input on how this would impact your business. Will this help your business comply to meet the 2027 deadline? If not, why?
Business owners, LPs, PTOs, PPO1s and PPO2s, and general public,
Are you supportive of the changes included in the proposed exemption?
Do you think any changes to the proposal are necessary? If so, please provide rationale. Do you have any other feedback?
The person holds one or more of the following certificates or records of training (ROTs) under the Act:
propane truck operator (PTO);
propane plant operator 1 (PPO-1); or
propane plant operator 2 (PPO-2);
The person is employed by a person registered as a contractor pursuant to O. Reg. 211/01 or a distributor under O. Reg. 211/01;
The person has successfully completed a TSSA-approved training program, including a practical examination from a TSSA-accredited training provider on how to safely evacuate propane tanks; and
The person undergoes either full retraining or skills retesting from a TSSA accredited training provider at three-year intervals.
These changes are intended to address industry concerns with meeting the requirements under CSA B51-19 - Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code. Specifically, under clause 12.7.2, pressure relief valves on tanks of 2,500 USWG or less (excluding cylinders as defined by CSA B149.2) have a maximum servicing interval of 25 years. This is in addition to the TSSA Propane Code Adoption document, clause 7.2.9, which requires that tanks of 2,500 USWG or less shall have the relief valves rebuilt/certified or replaced every 25 years. All overdue relief valves shall be rebuilt/certified or replaced by May 1, 2027. MPBSDP has worked closely with TSSA and the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) on this initiative, to support reducing burden on businesses while maintaining public safety.
Questions:
Business Owners,
If you are the owner of a business that is affected by the 2027 deadline, to help inform our impact analysis, we welcome input on how this would impact your business. Will this help your business comply to meet the 2027 deadline? If not, why?
Business owners, LPs, PTOs, PPO1s and PPO2s, and general public,
Are you supportive of the changes included in the proposed exemption?
Do you think any changes to the proposal are necessary? If so, please provide rationale. Do you have any other feedback?
Contact Address:
56 Wellesley St. West, 6th floor, Toronto, M7A 1C1
Effective Date:
December 22, 2024
Decision:
Approved