Information Bulletin: Adoption of BC Electrical Code, 2018 Edition

Effective January 1, 2020, the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, 24^th Edition, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations, Canadian Standards Association Standard C22.1-18 is adopted as the B.C. Electrical Code.  All electrical work that is subject to the B.C. Electrical Code must be in compliance with the updated edition effective January 1, 2020.

All code-related information bulletins and directives that have been issued to date remain in effect.  All potentially-impacted information bulletins and directives will be reviewed for consistency with the new code edition and revised if necessary.  Please visi technicalsafetybc.ca for updates or sign up for email alerts.

The new edition of B.C. Electrical Code will make one deviation from the Canadian Electrical Code.  Subrules 7 and 8 of Rule 66-456 (Section 66) will not be in force in B.C..

Transition for Installation Permits

• Except as provided below, work performed under installation permits issued prior to January 1, 2020, must comply with the 2015 (23^rd) edition until the work under the permit is completed (i.e., even if the work is completed after January 1, 2020). All work done under this scenario must be in compliance with the 2015 Edition.  “Mixing and matching” sections between editions is not permitted. 
• Work performed under installation permits issued before January 1, 2020 may comply with the 2018 (24^th) edition of the code provided that the work will be completed after January 1, 2020 and the licensed electrical contractor has declared that the 2018 edition will be followed on the permit application. As above, “mixing and matching” code sections between editions is not permitted.
• All work performed under permits issued post-January 1, 2020 must comply with the 2018 (24th) edition without exception.

Contractors who obtain permits from delegated local governments should familiarize themselves with local government policies regarding transition.   

Copies of the Canadian Electrical Code, 24th edition may be purchased from multiple sources.  Under the Safety Standards Act section 24, it is the responsibility of licensed contractors to maintain current knowledge of all relevant safety information including codes and standards. Holders of operating permits also have that responsibility under section 28.  Both licensed contractors and operating permit holders must ensure that individuals in their employ (i.e., who are performing regulated work) are also current with respect to code knowledge.

Provincial Safety Manager - Electrical

References:Safety Standards ActElectrical Safety RegulationSafety Standards General Regulation