Data by technology: Gas
Gas
Technical Safety BC oversees industrial and commercial use of natural gas, propane, biogas, digester gas, manufactured gas, liquified petroleum gas, landfill gas and hydrogen throughout British Columbia in accordance with the Safety Standards Act and the Gas Safety Regulation.
Incidents reported to us in 2021
Injuries reported to us in 2021
Assessments completed in 2021
Incidents
In 2021 the number of gas incidents reported to us increased by 18 (33%) compared with 2020.
In 2021, Technical Safety BC released the results of a comprehensive investigation into commonly used Carrier Gas furnaces, and found that a design flaw resulted in numerous dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) exposures in recent years. Technical Safety BC carried out this investigation following multiple incidents in which eight people were hospitalized across BC due to carbon monoxide exposures caused by failures in a common product line of residential gas burning furnaces.
The category under assessment refers to incidents reported to Technical Safety BC that were still under investigation at year-end.
Gas incidents by Year (2017 - 2021)
Injuries
In 2021 injuries decreased by three compared to 2020. The majority of injuries reported were related to carbon monoxide leaks and exposure.
Please note that we receive injury reporting and descriptions from operators of first responders at the time of, or immediately following, the incident. Injuries may develop after the initial reports were made to us and the long-term effects of a resultant injury may not be recorded as part of our investigation.
Gas Injuries by Year (2017 - 2021)
Permits
In 2021, there were 71,219 gas permits issued. 69,641 were installation permits and 1,578 operating permits.
Gas Permits by Year (2017 - 2021)
Assessments
Technical Safety BC safety officers completed 11,793 assessments of gas equipment in 2021. Of this total, 4,455 were in-person inspections and 7,338 were remote inspections.
Assessments are rated as follows:
| Pass | The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations and/or applicable technical code(s). |
| Conditional Pass | The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to NOT comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations and/or applicable technical code(s). Further regulated work may only be undertaken as directed on the certificate of inspection, while the identified non-compliances are being corrected. |
| Fail | The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to NOT comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations and/or applicable technical code(s). Further regulated work on the affected system or phase of work, and/or operation of the regulated equipment must not be undertaken until the identified non-compliances have been corrected. |
Gas Physical Inspections in 2021
Gas Remote Inspections in 2021
Sharing safety knowledge
Carbon monoxide exposures continue to be a persistent risk to our safety system. While the effects of CO poisoning can be devastating, they can be prevented. We are committed to providing continuous education on CO safety.