We're moving content over from an older government website. We'll align this page with the ontario.ca style guide in future updates.
Guideline No. 10: Propane use
Propane is an economical, easily obtainable, cost-effective fuel. It may be used to provide heat, light or generate electricity. However, propane is also an extremely flammable fuel with physical characteristics which, if the fuel or its equipment is misused, can result in deadly consequences.
Propane used to prepare food or provide refrigeration
- Portable barbeques may not be used indoors or in tents.
- Commercial grills approved for use indoors may be used indoors, but the propane cylinders must be installed outdoors and the propane piped in to the appliance.
- Small buffet heaters or self-contained cooking units which use small 1 lb cylinders may be used indoors, as long as they are certified for that use and have proper ventilation. No more than three (3) spare cylinders may be stored inside.
(Cylinder storage limitation as per Section 6.5.1.4 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
- Propane refrigerators may be used as long as the propane supply is installed outside, and the exhaust is vented outdoors.
(As per Section 4.1.3 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
(As per Section 4.2.1 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
(Cylinder use as per Section 6.5.1.2 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
Propane used to provide light and/or heat
- Only persons in possession of a current Record of Training are allowed to install, connect, refuel and operate propane appliances (as per section 6 of O. Reg. 211/01 (Propane Storage and Handling) made under Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000).
- Supplemental Heating Appliances bearing certification as Construction Heaters must not be installed inside any work or gathering area where members of the production staff or visitors may congregate.
(As per Section 4.2.1 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
- Open flame direct fired units may not be used to provide heat where people work or gather.
(As per Section 4.2.1 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
- Propane fuelled radiant heaters may be used indoors, as long as the propane cylinders are installed outside, the fuel properly piped in to the appliance, and carbon monoxide (CO) Monitors installed. The user must ensure that the CO monitors are capable of providing a warning if the carbon monoxide level exceeds 25 ppm. If the CO levels exceed 25 ppm the user must take immediate action to protect workers and the public from further exposure.
(As per Section 4.2.1 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. The use of Carbon Monoxide Monitors set to alarm at 25ppm is based on the worker exposure limit in Reg. 833.)
- Indirect fired, forced air heaters may be used, as long as the propane source is installed outside and properly piped in to the appliance. The appliance must be vented to the outside and the operator must ensure that the product of combustion fumes is not re-circulated into the building or tent.
(As per Section 4.1.3 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
- Propane fuelled lighting units may be used indoors as long as the product of combustion fumes is vented to the outdoors (as per section 49(5) of O. Reg. 213/91 Construction Projects made under OHSA).
Installation requirements
The installation of equipment that uses propane shall be in accordance with the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, B149.1-05 as adopted under O. Reg. 211/01 made under Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. Such equipment shall be installed by trained certificate holders with sufficient clearances from combustibles, combustion and ventilation air and with products of combustion being vented to the outdoors. The equipment shall be installed in accordance with its installation instructions and the Code. This means that where an installation requires that the fuel be piped to the appliance, or that the product of combustion fumes be vented to the outdoors, the installation shall be done by a qualified technician.
(Clarification of regulation and code requirements for compliance to installation requirements, installer certification, and quality of work performed)
Propane used in special effects
- A cylinder of up to 100 lb capacity may be used for special effect appliances on production sites not open to the public.
(Joint Industry/TSSA Fuels Safety Program established limit regarding the quantity of propane that can be on a set to provide an effect. Based on perceived need and accepted safety parameters.)
- Special effect appliances utilizing propane must be properly constructed using certified components, and must be under the control and close supervision of a Certified Technician when in use.
Propane storage
- Propane cylinders not in use must be stored outdoors in secure, well ventilated storage. Must be in compliance with the Propane Storage and Handling Code and Ontario Regulations for Propane Storage and Handling
(As per Section 6.5.2.5 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)
- Propane tanks must be transported in an open vehicle (i.e. pick up truck) and must not be transported in an enclosed vehicle.
(As per Section 6.6 CAN/CSA-B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code adopted under O. Reg. 223/01 made under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000)