Fuel supply connection to mobile housing and recreational vehicles

Scope

This directive is provided to clarify the permitting and qualification requirements for gas supply connections to mobile housing units and recreational vehicles as defined in the CSA B149.1 Natural gas and propane installation (CSA B149.1) and CSA B149.2 Propane storage and handling (CSA B149.2) codes.

Note: Local government land-use or zoning requirements may prohibit, restrict, or set terms and conditions for the use of or modification to mobile units, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles. Confirmation of requirements from the appropriate local government is strongly advised.

Details

These noted requirements apply only to those units bearing an approved certification label indicating the gas system complies with one of the following:

              i.  CSA A277 Procedure for certification of prefabricated buildings, modules, and panels

Note: reference to CAN/CSA A277 standard may or may not include gas equipment installed and must include supporting documents outlining equipment included in certification and the construction standard used

            ii.  Z240 MH Series Z240.4.1 “Installation Requirements for Gas-Burning Appliances in Manufactured Homes”

           iii.  Z240 RV Series Z240.4.2 “Installation Requirements for Propane Appliances and Equipment in Recreational Vehicles”

           iv.  Z241.4 “Installation Requirements for Propane Appliances and Equipment in Park Model Trailers”

            v.  Mobile outdoor food service unit displaying a valid Record of Installation Permit (ROIP) decal or certification mark recognized in BC.

1)     Connection of propane or natural gas to units certified to the A277, Z240.4.1 or Z241.4 standard:

           i.   In residential applications, a permit for “Connection of gas piping to a new or used certified mobile home with existing appliances” must be obtained.

          ii.   In commercial applications, an applicable installation permit must be obtained based on the total BTU per structure or building treated as a single appliance.

         iii.   The installation must comply with B149.1 and B149.2 code requirements as applicable.

         iv.   For propane installations, the first-stage or integral two-stage regulator is to be connected above the supply container’s highest possible liquid level in order to prevent reliquification of propane vapour in accordance with CSA B149.1. The supply pigtail or whip is to be oriented to allow drainage of reliquified propane back to the container.

2)     Connection of a recreational vehicle certified to the Z240.4.2 standard to an external container or source; these are no longer being utilized as temporary accommodation as defined:

           i.     In residential applications, a permit for “Connection of gas piping to a new or used certified mobile home with existing appliances” must be obtained.

          ii.   The installation must comply with B149.1 and B149.2 code requirements as applicable

         iii.   Vehicle mounted container(s) are to be capped or plugged to prevent accidental release of propane, or entry of debris into container outlet(s).

         iv.   The first-stage or integral two-stage regulator is to be connected above the external container’s highest possible liquid level to prevent reliquification of propane vapour in accordance with CSA B149.1. The supply pigtail or whip is to be oriented to allow drainage of reliquified propane back to container.

          v.   If the external propane supply is removed, the system is to be reconfigured to the Z240 standard and tested for integrity by a qualified gasfitter.

3)     Connection of a mobile outdoor food service unit bearing a Technical Safety BC Record of Installation Permit (ROIP) decal or an approval label from an inspection body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada:

           i.     An applicable commercial installation permit must be obtained based on the total BTU per structure or building treated as a single appliance.

          ii.   The installation must comply with B149.1 and B149.2 code requirements as applicable.

         iii.   For propane installations, the first-stage or integral two-stage regulator is to be connected above the supply container’s highest possible liquid level in order to prevent reliquification of propane vapour in accordance with CSA B149.1. The supply pigtail or whip is to be oriented to allow drainage of reliquified propane back to the container.

4)     For those units which are not certified as noted above:

              i.  An appliance installation permit must be obtained and a Class A or B gasfitter named on the permit.

            ii.  The installation permit must include all appliances contained within the unit. The permit holder is responsible for the complete installation including piping, appliances and accessories, and venting systems. 

           iii.  The installation must comply with B149.1 and B149.2 code requirements as applicable.

           iv.  For propane installations, the first-stage or integral two-stage regulator is to be connected above the supply container’s highest possible liquid level in order to prevent reliquification of propane vapour in accordance with CSA B149.1. The supply pigtail or whip is to be oriented to allow drainage of reliquified propane back to the container.

5)     A homeowner who meets the requirements of the Gas Safety Regulation and conditions for permit issuance may obtain a permit for connecting a gas supply to a building with the appropriate certification label.

Vicky Kang
Manager, Energy
Provincial Safety Manager, Gas

References: 
Safety Standards Act
Gas Safety Regulation
CSA B149.1 - Natural gas and propane installation code
CSA B149.2 - Propane storage and handling code