Directive: Propane regulator operational requirements

This Directive is being issued by a provincial safety manager pursuant to section 30 of the Safety Standards Act.

General details

This Directive is to clarify operational and installation requirements for regulators utilized on propane installations to be in compliance with the current edition of CAN/CSA B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code. This directive does not apply to systems installed under the CSA Z240.4.2 RV standard.

Specific details

1. Regulators must comply with the requirements of section 5 of the B149.1Installation Code.
2. Regulators providing over pressure protection at 2 psig are not acceptable for propane systems unless all connected appliances have appliance regulators in place. The regulator may be contained within the appliance’s combination valve, or be an approved stand-alone appliance regulator installed immediately upstream of the appliance control valve.
3. Installers must verify that a regulator is in place and operating correctly. Many conversion kits contain a blocking plate which effectively removes pressure regulation from within the control valve.

Explanation:

1. Some existing propane systems may contain appliances that do not have appliance regulators.
2. Regulators that provide 2 psig maximum over pressure protection as an alternative to those providing protection at 1.5 to 2 times delivery pressure, may lead to damage to the appliance, production of carbon monoxide, or injury, in the event of a loss of primary pressure regulation if there is no secondary means of regulation.

 

 

Brad Wyatt
Provincial Safety Manager, Gas

 

 

References:
CSA B149.1 - Natural gas and propane installation code