Directive: Temporary Construction and Portable Heaters

Scope

This directive clarifies the installation and operational requirements for temporary construction and portable gas fired heaters.

Details

Establishments that maintain, lease, or rent out temporary construction or portable gas heaters must hold an appropriate operating permit as detailed under section 28 of the Gas Safety Regulation (GSR). Rental heater companies must comply with GSR Schedule Variations for B.C. Natural Gas and Propane Code (Variations Schedule) sections 4 and 5 in addition to the associated requirements of the CSA B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code.

All temporary construction or portable gas heaters must be certified to a recognized Canadian Standard and must bear a current Technical Safety BC temporary heater decal as required under GSR section 31 (2). Direct gas fired construction heaters must be certified to CSA 2.14. Certified construction or portable gas heaters compliant with GSR section 31 (2) satisfy any additional requirements under section 26 (2) (d) of the GSR.

All work must be performed by a qualified gas fitter and requires a commercial installation permit for temporary certified gas-fired construction heaters as detailed in section 5 of the GSR Variations Schedule except for a temporary construction or portable gas heater that:

• is ventless; and
• connects to a single propane cylinder using a supplied hose and regulator listed for that model from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

Temporary construction or portable heaters certified for use indoors, and when used indoors with venting attached, must be connected to a venting system and vented to the outdoors under a gas installation permit.   

Vicky Kang
Manager, Energy
Provincial Safety Manager, Gas

References:
Gas Safety Regulation
Safety Standards General Regulation
CSA B149.1 - Natural gas and propane installation code