Typical Homeowner Questions Regarding the TSSA Directive

1) Who is TSSA?

Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is officially designated by Ontario’s Ministry of Government Services to administer and enforce the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, which governs fuels safety in Ontario. TSSA has the mandate to maintain and improve safety for Ontario citizens in the fuels and other regulated sectors.

2) Why does this equipment pose a hazard to owners/users/homeowners?

When the boilers are not maintained, they pose a CO safety hazard to the homeowner.  CO is a colourless gas produced when fuels such as natural gas and propane burn incompletely. CO itself is odourless and tasteless, but it can be accompanied by an abnormal odour of incomplete fuel combustion. Symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea and vomiting, dizziness, burning eyes, difficulty breathing, confusion and loss of consciousness.  Recently investigated CO incidents have shown that the key contributing cause of the incidents is that many boilers are not being maintained in accordance with the boiler manufacturer’s instructions.  It is imperative that the boiler’s internal flue passages are cleaned sufficiently to reduce the likelihood of CO production. Additionally, a significant contributing factor in some of the incidents has been negative pressure within the home caused by exhaust systems, wood burning fireplaces, or other appliances that can pull the boiler’s flue products into the indoor air.

3) My boiler is approved. Why is there a problem?

Residential gas fired natural draft boilers are tested and approved to a national standard accepted in Canada and US. The certified maintenance instructions that accompany the boiler normally require periodic maintenance. Without this maintenance, equipment will not continue to operate properly. In addition, exhaust fans, dryer exhausts and wood fireplaces may impede the proper venting of boilers and prevent products of combustion (fumes) from being vented to the outside.

4) What is a gas-fired natural draft boiler? How do I know if I have one?

Residential boilers heat water that is typically circulated through the house by means of piping and radiators. Gas-fired means either fuelled by natural gas or propane. Natural draft means that the combustion products from the boiler exit from the house through a chimney or metal vent without any assistance from fans (i.e. from the natural buoyancy of the heated combustion products (fumes).

5) How much is this going to cost?

The mandatory inspection should not be costly; however, if there are issues, the boiler will need to be serviced and depending on what type of service is necessary, the cost will vary.  Your and your family’s safety is the most important factor – please treat this as a safety investment and have your boiler inspected and maintained.

6) Is this contractor/technician allowed to inspect my boiler?

Yes. By law, the contractor/technician has been instructed to do so. Please allow the individual to perform this inspection for your safety.

7) How do I find a contractor?

All heating contractors are registered by TSSA. Our web site, www.ttsa.org, provides a listing of contractors or alternatively you can contact us directly at 1-877-682-8772.

8) How do I know if this is a qualified technician?

Please ask for their TSSA wallet card as proof.

9) Can I, the homeowner, perform this inspection?

No. It shall be a TSSA G1, G2 or G3 gas technician.

10) What happens if I refuse to let the technician do the inspection?

The appliance must be infracted as an unacceptable condition that does not pose an immediate hazard. This means that the appliance must have the inspection within a specified period of time or your fuel supply will be terminated.

11) What is TSSA doing to address this situation?

To address the risks for this immediate heating season, a Director’s Order has been issued requiring gas technicians entering a dwelling to perform service, maintenance and/or emergency response work, where this type of boiler is installed, to inspect the boiler installation and measure the CO being produced by the boiler.  Where high levels of CO or flue gas spillage is discovered, immediate corrective action must be taken or the boiler must be shut down until it is repaired.

Gas Utilities have agreed to communicate through their mailings (billings) the message that these boilers need to be maintained. Both Enbridge and Kitchener Utilities have already done billing inserts for this heating season. TSSA and industry will continue work to develop long-term solutions.