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On January 26, the Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute held its Greater Toronto Area chapter meeting in Vaughan, ON. The evening event attracted nearly 60 guests and featured speakers Karin Fahey, strategic account manager with CSA Group and Sat Virdi, regional supervisor for Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA).

Fahey discussed the CSA app and used the B149.1 – Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, as an example of how interactive standards work. Interactive Standards for codes offer an e-book format that is optimized for a tablet device and scalable to smaller screen devices as well. They feature a quick reference capability and a search by rule, topic or keyword option. The CSA app is available through the Apple Store.

VIDEO Demo of App
http://bcove.me/fb6otzpn

Chapter meeting guests expressed some concern as to whether the interactive format of the Code is acceptable for field professionals to have onsite rather than a printed hard copy. John Marshall, director, TSSA told HPAC after the meeting, "It is acceptable to have and use an electronic version of the code. However, the field personnel must have access to the code at all times through a mobile device while on any job site."

Following Fahey's presentation, Virdi's discussion revolved around compliance to rules and codes in the workspace. He shared two case studies and a number of examples where contractors disregarded obvious red flag situations as well as their training.

Virdi focussed the first half of his presentation on gas leaks, showing a photo of a contractor searching for a gas leak with a lighter. "How do you stop that?" he asked, noting that this contractor was putting lives at risk by not being compliant.

A discussion surrounding gas leaks progressed into the importance of having a locate of gas pipes prior to digging. Although presenting a locate is not a new law, Virdi said it is still not being complied with. "With any excavation of the ground, you are breaking the law without a locate to show," he said.

Virdi explained that locates are not difficult to obtain, and receiving one is a free service.

Virdi encouraged contractors to ask themselves, "Why am I here, and what are my options," when arriving at a jobsite. Answering these questions will help to keep contractors out of troubling situations, according to Verdi.

The chapter meetings run to May and again in October and November.

Thanks for the feedback.  I've had TSSA inspectors, in the past, tell me we must have printed Code books.  I'm glad this is not the case.