Information Bulletin: Contractor Installation Permit Value Amendment Criteria

This information bulletin is being issued to clarify your legal obligation to obtain an appropriate permit for all regulated work being performed, the criteria and process for amending the value of an active permit, and the potential consequences for performing regulated work under a permit that does not reflect the correct value or scope of work.

Legal Obligation to Obtain Permits

Section 12 of the Safety Standards General Regulation (SSGR) requires you to obtain an “appropriate permit” before performing regulated work, unless otherwise specified. For electrical and gas installation permits, an “appropriate permit” is a permit that accurately reflects the scope and value of work performed.

To assist you in obtaining an appropriate permit, TSBC has developed technology specific fee schedules that describe the:

• types of permits available;
• scope and/or value of work that can be performed under each permit type; and
• associated permit fees payable to Technical Safety BC.

Fee Schedules, specific to your technology, may be accessed on our website at: https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/learn-about/technical-safety-bc/fee-schedules

When to Amend the Value of a Permit

Permits that do not accurately reflect the scope and/or value of work must be amended in a timely manner. This includes instances of undervalued work where:

• the scope and/or value of work changed over the course of the project and no longer reflects the scope or value of work noted on the permit at the time of purchase.
• a duty holder purchases permit(s) that are not within the scope of the work being performed, or under an incorrect class of permits, resulting in a reduced permit value.
• a duty holder purchases permit(s) and under declares the cost of the project (e.g., underestimates costs associated with labour or materials), resulting in a reduced permit value.

NOTE: A permit reflecting the final value and scope of work must be in place before performing the work.

How to Amend a Permit

1. For gas permit amendments contact Technical Safety BC at 1 866 566 7233. For electrical permit amendments complete the Permit Value Amendment Form.
2. Provide the following information:
   • the original permit number;
   • the amended value of the work; and
   • details on the change in the scope of work.
3. Pay the fee(s) as per the applicable technology fee schedule.

Possible Consequences of Undervalued Work

Technical Safety BC undertakes investigative activities, including compliance audits, when regulated work is performed under a permit that does not reflect the correct value or scope of work. Licensed contractors who have not obtained an appropriate permit and/or did not amend the value of a permit as required, may be subject to enforcement action. This action may include, but is not limited to, the issuance of a discipline order or compliance order, the imposition of a monetary penalty and/or the suspension or revocation of their contractor licence.

Note: Investigative activities undertaken by Technical Safety BC in response to work being performed without an appropriate permit, including undervalued work/permits, may be subject to additional compliance and enforcement fees. For more information, please visit our website.

References

Safety Standards Act
Safety Standards General Regulation
Electrical Safety Regulation
Gas Safety Regulation