Core Connections 2026

You can report concerns about companies using non-qualified employees to operate power plants in commercial buildings through our online reporting form. Visit our incident reporting form to submit a report.

Trade certification for plumbers is administered by SkilledTradesBC. Questions regarding plumbing credentials should be directed to them.

Technical Safety BC does not regulate plumbing certifications or professional conduct for plumbers. Depending on the circumstances, concerns regarding alleged misconduct or liability may be more appropriately addressed through SkilledTradesBC, or your local municipality.

Inspections are an important part of the safety system, but they are only one tool. Given the volume of regulated work across the province, we focus our inspections resources on higher-risk work and areas of concern.

We use audits, investigations, education and enforcement to promote compliance and address poor performance. When we identify contractors with recurring non-compliances, we have a range of tools available to support corrective action.

Safety is a shared responsibility. Contractors are responsible for performing code-compliant work, owners play a role in hiring qualified contractors, and TSBC provides risk-based oversight designed to achieve the greatest safety impact.

If you see have concerns about unsafe, unlicensed, or unpermitted work, we encourage you to report them through our Incident, Hazard, Unlicensed or Unpermitted Work reporting form.

If a strata council has reason to believe that regulated work has been performed without a permit, the best course of action is to report this through Technical Safety BC’s Incident, Hazard, Unlicensed or Unpermitted Work reporting form.

We rely on information from property owners, strata councils, contractors, municipalities, and the public to identify potential cases of unpermitted work. Once a report is received, we assess the information and determine the appropriate follow-up action.

We recognize that some organizations have longer internal payment approval processes. To support this, we send a reminder 30 days before the permit expiry date, and do not issue a demand notice until 30 days after the expiry date, giving clients 60 days to plan and process payment.

Clients can also use Online Services to view upcoming permit expiry dates and align payment timing with their internal processes. If additional time is needed, we encourage clients to contact us early so we can work with them to find a fair and practical solution.

As a risk-based regulator, we focus inspection resources where they have the greatest impact on safety.

We use data, industry intelligence, compliance history, and risk indicators to identify the sites, activities, and license holders most likely to benefit from inspection. We also continue to improve our tools, processes, and technology to help our Safety Officers work effectively and efficiently.

While inspection presence remains an important part of our regulatory approach, strong safety outcomes also depend on compliance by duty holders, education, and using our resources where they can have the greatest impact.

We recognize that timely inspections are important to our clients. Inspections in the boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration require specialized technical expertise and our teams work to balance demand across the province while focusing on areas of highest safety risk.

We continuously monitor workload, service demand, and service levels to identify opportunities to improve service delivery. Our goal is to provide timely service while maintaining the high safety standards British Columbians expect.

We recognize that inspection delays can affect projects and are actively working to improve service delivery.

To help address demand, we have recently added a new Elevating Device Safety Officer and are exploring opportunities to further strengthen capacity. We are also reviewing and improving our booking and scheduling process to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

Contractor readiness is also important. Submitting complete documentation and ensuring sites are fully prepared for assessment helps reduce rescheduling and allows available inspection capacity to be used more effectively.

We will continue to work with industry partners to identify opportunities to improve inspection timelines while maintaining our safety standards.

Remote inspections for elevating devices were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as a temporary measure to support service delivery while public health restrictions were in place.

Following the lifting of these restrictions, Technical Safety BC returned to the approach outlined in the Elevating Device Safety Regulation, which requires physical inspections in specific circumstances.

We continue to review our regulatory approaches and service delivery methods to ensure they support safety, efficiency, and industry needs. Any future changes will be considered within that context and in alignment with regulatory requirements.

The requirement for an operating permit is based on the electrical system, not the type of building. An electrical operating permit is required when:

• operation or design of electrical equipment requires regular or ongoing maintenance;

• supply to privately owned equipment is greater than 750 volts (except for high voltage neon signs);

• equipment is operated or maintained for emergency service and/or is part of a fire alarm system;

• rated service capacity of equipment as per the manufacturer’s nameplate rating is capable of handling electrical supply of over 250 kVA (e.g., main service switch, main transforming equipment, electrical panel, or transformer); or

• equipment is operated within the class or zone designations for hazardous locations.

For more information, please visit the following pages detailing the requirements of electrical operating permits and frequently asked questions about electrical operating permits.

Yes. Regular servicing does not determine whether an operating permit is required.

Owners, operators and managers of facilities containing regulated boiler and pressure vessel equipment are required to hold an operating permit when the equipment meets the applicable criteria. This requirement applies regardless of maintenance history.

For more information, please visit our page detailing the most frequently asked questions about pressure vessel operating permits, and our boilers and pressure vessels operating permits home page.

Thank you for your feedback. Input from stakeholders helps inform ongoing improvements to our programs and services. To ensure that your feedback reaches the appropriate team, please send it to engage@technicalsafetybc.ca.

Realtors are important partners in helping their clients understand the safety aspects of their properties.

One of the most common requests is locating permits for previous work. Permit information can be accessed through Technical Safety BC’s online permit lookup tool. Please note that the permit lookup tool does not currently include permits that are obtained outside Technical Safety BC’s jurisdictional area.

If your clients are looking to do new renovation work on their property, we recommend they consult our Find a Licensed contractor tool.

If your client is buying or selling a manufactured home, please take the time to understand silver labels.

Finally, Technical Safety BC will be attending BCREA’s webinar on June 17, 2026 at 10am PST. Topics will include information for realtors trying to assist their clients. Please connect with BCREA for more information on how you can register/attend.

Feedback on Online Services can be provided through the surveys available within Online Services or through the monthly client satisfaction survey sent by email. We review all feedback received through these channels.

Those interested in discussing suggestions in more detail can contact our Market Insights and Engagement team at engage@technicalsafetybc.ca to schedule a meeting.

The use of AI requires careful consideration of its potential impacts. Technical Safety BC evaluates technologies thoughtfully and supports employees in developing the skills needed to use new tools effectively as they become available.

AI has the potential to help reduce language barriers and make safety requirements easier to understand for people who speak English as a second language.

As these tools evolve, Technical Safety BC will continue to assess opportunities to improve accessibility and communication while ensuring appropriate oversight and maintaining the quality and consistency of service.

If the leak involves a regulated system, such as a boiler, hot water system, refrigeration equipment, gas equipment or piping, concerns can be reported through Technical Safety BC’s Incident, Hazard, Unlicensed or Unpermitted Work reporting form.

If the issue relates to the building envelope, such as the roof, windows, or balconies, owners should contact their strata corporation, developer or home warranty provider.

Electrical permit fees are based on the total value of the electrical scope of work, excluding GST, with certain inclusions and exclusions defined in the fee schedule.

The value of work include:

• all labour associated with the electrical work; and

• all materials and components, regardless of where they are sourced.

The value of work does not include utilization equipment. Under the BC Electrical Code, utilization equipment is equipment that uses electrical energy for mechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar purposes.

Examples of utilization equipment include:

• light fixtures;

• heaters;

• motors;

• furnaces; and

• heat pumps.

Additional information is available in Technical Safety BC’s Fee Schedule.

Technical Safety BC works closely with standards development organizations and provincial and national safety partners to support the evolution of codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.

Through this collaboration, we identify emerging risks, address implementation challenges, and promote consistent approaches as the industry transitions to newer refrigerant types. This helps ensure new technologies are introduced in a way that maintains safety, supports practical application, and aligns with regulatory frameworks.

Certain residential heat pump applications may fall outside the scope of the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation. In those cases, requirements may be established by local authorities, and stakeholders are encouraged to confirm applicable requirements with their local municipality.

We are working with the Ministry toward adoption of the 2023 editions of the CSA B44 and CSA Z185 codes. At this point, no adoption timeline has been established.

We are working with the Ministry towards the adoption of ASTM standards for amusement rides and devices. At this time, no adoption timeline has been established.

There have been no recent regulatory changes affecting Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors or material lifts under the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation. Their status in British Columbia continues to depend on whether the specific device meets the exemptions set out in section 18.

Under the Safety Standards Act and Electrical Safety Regulation, electrical products are required to be certified. Where Technical Safety BC identifies uncertified or non-compliant products, we require corrective action.

Many of these products are used in circumstances where we have limited visibility or ability to intervene. To address this broader issue, we are working with regulators across Canada, certification bodies, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Standards Council of Canada to support national solutions.

For example, the Canadian Advisory on Electrical Safety recently established a working group focused on the online sale of uncertified products.

Technical Safety BC works closely with other authorities having jurisdiction to share information and learn from different approaches to addressing technical safety issues.

One area of ongoing focus is increasing awareness of carbon monoxide risks and identifying effective ways to reduce exposure. Carbon monoxide remains Technical Safety BC's highest-ranked safety risk.

Technical Safety BC is working with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I Technical Committee to clarify code requirements for heat pumps and air conditioning assemblies.

Technical Safety BC has submitted proposed additions to Section 28 that would establish broader requirements for conductor sizing, load calculations, disconnecting means ratings, and other factors that are currently under consideration for future code updates.

Additionally, we are working with rebate providers to improve processes for verifying that permits have been obtained for rebated installations.

Classification under ASME/ANSI B20.1 or CSA Z256-M87 alone does not determine whether a device falls outside TSBC’s jurisdiction. Key considerations include how the device is used, travel distance, access, loading and unloading methods, and whether personnel are permitted or able to ride on the platform or car.

Material lifts are addressed under Part 7 of the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 code adopted in BC. Where a material lift is not exempt under EDSR section 18(1), it must comply with the applicable CSA B44 requirements.

We may review specific cases where the exemption conditions are not met or where there is potential for personnel transport or misuse.

In response to industry concerns regarding national consistency, and following consultation with stakeholders before code adoption, Technical Safety BC advised that these impact testing requirements are not currently being applied in BC.

Technical Safety BC has issued an information bulletin outlining the application of CSA B51:2024 impact testing requirements in British Columbia.

Replacement components in certified equipment must be installed by a qualified person, as defined in section 4 of the Electrical Safety Regulation. In general, work performed within the scope of an individual’s Skilled Trade BC’s credential would meet this requirement.

Under section 18(5) of the Electrical Safety Regulation, a permit is not required for this work provided:

• the work is performed by a licensed electrical contractor, or a manufacturer’s technical representative;

• no other modifications are made to the electrical system;

• the electrical rating and characteristics of the equipment remain unchanged; and

• the replacement components do not invalidate the equipment's certification.

If any of these conditions are not met, an electrical permit is required.

Certain electrical panels and breakers manufactured and installed in Canada between approximately the 1950s and early 2000s have been the subject of ongoing concern.

Technical Safety BC does not require replacement based solely on manufacturer. However, property owners should consider the age and condition of their electrical equipment as part of their overall maintenance planning.

Those with concerns should consult a licensed electrical contractor for an assessment and verify any implications with their insurance provider, as insurers may have their own requirements regarding older electrical equipment.

Standards development organizations provide formal processes for requesting interpretations and proposing changes to codes and standards.

As an example, below are general links where you will find additional information on the Canadian Standards Associations request for interpretation and change processes for the Mechanical Industrial Equipment Safety Codes:

• Request for Interpretation of CSA Group Standards

• CSA Mechanical Industrial Equipment Safety (MIES) Codes

If the question relates to a specific installation in British Columbia, Technical Safety BC can also provide support. For installation-specific questions, the local Safety Officer responsible for the work is often the best first point of contact.

For broader technical inquiries, questions may be directed to the appropriate technical team. Clients who are unsure where to direct their inquiry can contact Technical Safety BC, which can help connect them with the appropriate technical representative.

For refrigeration systems falling within the scope of the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration Regulation, the CSA B52 Mechanical Refrigeration Code (CSA B52) is the governing standard for the design, construction, installation, inspection, and maintenance of refrigeration systems.

The CSA B52 includes specific requirements for maintenance of refrigeration systems, which includes maintenance in accordance with the refrigeration equipment and other system components’ operation and maintenance manuals.

Depending on the type of residential occupancy (single or multi family dwelling) and/or size of refrigeration system, it may fall outside the scope of the regulation. Information on where Technical Safety BC oversight applies to residential heat pumps is available on our website.

At this time, the impact testing provisions within the CSA B51 Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code (2024 edition) are not being applied in British Columbia. As a result, there are no planned changes to the Class A Pressure Welder examination syllabus.

Should impact testing provisions be formally implemented in BC in the future, we will assess whether updates to the initial pressure welder test are necessary to maintain alignment with applicable codes, standards, and industry practices.

For impact testing requirements in BC, we have issued an information bulletin addressing the application (or non-application) of these requirements.

We recognize that “who certifies what” can be quite confusing. Qualifications requirements for Red Seal certification fall within the mandate of Skilled Trades BC and are outside Technical Safety BC’s authority. You may wish to direct this question to Skilled Trades BC.

Regulated electrical work must be performed under a permit and under the supervision required by the Electrical Safety Regulation.

To work as an electrician, individuals must hold the appropriate trade certification issued by SkilldTradesBC. A Field Safety Representative (FSR) certificate authorizes the holder to submit declarations on behalf of their employer for regulated electrical work.

Questions regarding trade certification requirements should be directed to SkilledTradesBC.

To challenge the Class B Gas Fitter exam with Technical Safety BC, general eligibility requirements must be met. Please refer to our website regarding the general eligibility requirements.

If there are any concerns about meeting the hours requirement, please reach out to SkilledTradesBC.

Boiler Safety Officers are hired based on a combination of education, technical qualifications, and industry experience.

The role requires significant experience working with boilers, pressure vessel equipment, and/or refrigeration. Technical Safety BC generally looks for candidates with a First or Second Class Power Engineer certificate, power plant experience and the ability to obtain National Board inspection credentials.

Those interested in pursuing this career can review current opportunities and qualification requirements as positions become available.

Consultants do not require their own certification or licence unless they are directly performing or overseeing work regulated under the Safety Standards Act. In those cases, they must hold the appropriate Technical Safety BC certificate or licence.

Professional designations such as P.Eng. and P.L.Eng. are regulated separately by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and do not replace Technical Safety BC licensing, certification, or permit requirements.

Designs submitted through Technical Safety BC’s Design Registration process, including Canadian Registration Number (CRN) applications, may require professional engineering authentication or a Qualified Professional Declaration, depending on the applicable regulations and code requirements.

Additional information is available on Technical Safety BC’s Design Registration page.

Technical Safety BC supports a range of organizations through charitable giving and education-focused initiatives.

For example, employees nominate charities through our holiday donation program. In 2025, donations were made to Backpack Buddies ($2,500), Pacific Assistance Dogs Society ($1,500), and BC Children’s Hospital ($1,000).

Technical Safety BC also supports educational organizations through bursaries. In 2025, five Indigenous post-secondary students received Technical Safety BC-funded bursaries through our partnership with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, and two students received $2,000 each through our partnership with the New Relationship Trust.

Thank you for your suggestion. Technical Safety BC is exploring what organizational information we may be able to provide and publish in future.

Core Connections was a live event, and our executives responded to audience questions in real time without the assistance of AI.

Responses were unscripted and reflected the discussion taking place during the event were answering audience questions unscripted, in real time, without the assistance of AI.