Suspension to the Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document Regarding Unvented Gas Heaters in Livestock and Poultry Barns

To: Ontario Pork Producers

Over the last year, Ontario Pork has been notifying pork producers about changes to the Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document regarding unvented gas heaters. The existing document required livestock and poultry farmers to hire a Professional Engineer to verify two calculations and prominently display this information in the entrance area of each barn by January 1, 2016. Recently, after discussions with livestock and poultry groups, the Technical Safety and Standards Association (TSSA) has suspended this code requirement until further notice.

TSSA statement

A shortage of licence holders who can design barn ventilation systems has made it difficult for owners of existing unvented heaters in livestock and poultry facilities to meet the January 1, 2016 deadline for compliance with clause 7.36.3. TSSA has therefore temporarily suspended enforcement of the January 1, 2016 deadline (clause 7.36.3) for existing heaters installed prior to October 1, 2014. TSSA will not enforce non-compliances with this particular code provision until the effective date of the next Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document. Fuel distributors and suppliers may continue to deliver fuel to such appliances.

Note that this extension of time for compliance with clause 7.36.3 only, does not relieve appliance owners, operators or fuel distributors from compliance with any other provision of the Gaseous Fuels regulation, the Code Adoption Document or any adopted code, including provisions relating to the discovery of an appliance or work in an unacceptable condition (as defined by the regulation).

Background:

Original Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document requirement:
Minimum ventilation rate of the barn (mechanical or natural ventilation) when unvented propane or natural heaters are operating is not less than 300 CFM / 100,000 BTUH (0.003 CFM/BTUH) of heaters input [clause 7.36.1(c)].

Maximum input of the heating appliances does not exceed 20 BTUH/FT3 of the space in which the appliance is located [clause 7.36.1(d)].

The Technical Safety and Standards Association (TSSA) is a private company delegated by the province of Ontario to enforce the Code.

Please contact Sam Bradshaw at 519-482-8778 or sam.bradshaw@ontariopork.on.ca for more unvented gas heater information.

Thanks,

Ontario Pork

Source: Ontario Pork