Climate Action
Climate change is intensifying safety risks for the technologies we regulate and introducing new risks to the safety system. We're identifying emerging risks from extreme weather and climate events like atmospheric rivers, heat waves, and cold snaps. We’ve created an inventory of potential hazards when extreme weather impacts the equipment that we regulate, and are addressing these risks in line with our regular risk control activities.
We are also seeing increased adoption of heat pumps, solar panels, electronic vehicle charging, and more. We support BC’s climate action work by managing risks associated with the electrification of buildings and transport systems; renewables; and other low-carbon energy sources, as well as working to remove barriers for their safe installation of this equipment.
Our Goals
- Reducing safety incidents and hazards related to climate change for the technical systems and equipment we regulate.
- Reducing disproportionate technical risks and negative impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities and other underserved communities and groups and add value by connecting these groups to the safety system.
- Contributing to Provincial GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions reduction strategy though enabling safe adoption of low-carbon technologies.
Navigating Emerging Technology in the Face of Climate Change
At Technical Safety BC, we recognize that climate change presents a significant challenge for our province. If not addressed, climate change could hinder our ability to fulfill our mission of safe technical systems, everywhere. Extreme weather events linked to climate change—such as heat waves, wildfires, and floods—pose safety risks that directly affect the technical equipment we oversee. For more information, check out this page.
Below are a few examples of climate change hazards to technical equipment.
- Pressure build up and content release from pressure vessels in extreme heat and wildfire exposure.
- Propane tanks may be lifted by flood waters, leading to potential release of content or fire if their connections break.
- Snow drifts blocking air intake or exhaust outlet of gas-fired equipment, resulting in incomplete combustion or back-drafting exhaust gasses, potentially causing accumulation of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
- Overloading of electrical capacity resulting from increased use of cooling systems during heat waves.
For more information like this, as well as safety tips, please check out this page.
Supporting Emerging Technology to Slow Climate Change
Low-carbon technologies are a key part of BC’s climate action plan. We regulate the installation and maintenance of many of these technologies, including heat pumps; electric vehicle chargers and charging equipment; energy management systems; batteries; hydrogen fueling stations; and solar panels. We work to understand regulatory context and safety considerations for emerging technologies and provide safety information that guides contractors and qualified workers in the proper installation and maintenance of this equipment.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps are a practical heating and cooling solution in houses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. As a result, there has been a significant increase in heat pump installation throughout the province. Proportionally, with wider adoption of this technology, we have started to see incidents related to heat pump installation and operation, like the use of an undersized breaker for heat pump requirements, causing the breaker to overheat and melt. Heat pumps should be installed and operated per the regulatory guide. Learn more about heat pumps and our education courses.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
Electric vehicle (EV) chargers, plugs, and cables are components of electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). As electric vehicles gain popularity, so has the installation of the required charging equipment. We have investigated several incidents related to EVSE installation and operation, such as heat damage to an electric vehicle receptacle and to power supply equipment.
Load Management
Adding equipment like heat pumps, EV chargers, and solar panels increases electrical demand on our grid and in our homes. Managing electrical load is an important consideration for new buildings and those retrofitting to meet CleanBC’s strategy.
Load management may include:
- using energy efficient equipment to reduce electrical demand;
- using utility data to calculate the actual load;
- installing an energy management system to ensure the system is not overloaded; and
- adding a battery backup to increase resiliency.
Learn more about energy storage systems, the requirements for EVSE and EVEMS, talking to licensed contractors, and load management in general through our webinar or instructor-led course.
