Technical Safety BC

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Technical Safety BC

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Technical Safety BC is an independent, self-funded organization mandated to oversee the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment.

In addition to issuing permits, licences and certificates, we work with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, education and outreach, enforcement, and research.

10/12/2026

Think your pet may have been exposed to carbon monoxide? Get them outside into fresh air immediately and contact a veterinarian. If you suspect CO in your home, people may be at risk too. Learn the warning signs and how to prevent exposure: https://hubs.li/Q04xBX_s0

10/09/2026

In this incident, a contractor removed an old neon sign and installed new signage without the required licence or certified workers.
During the removal, numerous holes were left unsealed in the building envelope, allowing moisture to enter the wall cavity. Cut armoured cable also remained connected to an energized high-voltage transformer, leaving exposed conductors inside the exterior wall. These conductors likely came into contact with wet structural and insulation materials, creating an ignition source that caused a fire within the wall cavity.

The fire was contained to the sign area and surrounding ceiling and wall. However, firefighters had to cut through sections of the exterior wall and remove ceiling tiles to extinguish it. Although staff and patrons were present in the busy dining area at the time, fortunately, no injuries were reported.

This incident highlights the serious risks of electrical work performed without the proper qualifications. Hiring a licensed electrical contractor and ensuring work is carried out by qualified workers is essential to meeting safety requirements and protecting both property and people.

Learn more about this incident: https://hubs.li/Q04zPnVV0

Image: photo of electrical wiring left unterminated following the removal of a neon sign. Exposed wires and cut armoured cables hang around an electrical box mounted against a wooden wall.

10/07/2026

Keep your Halloween decorations spooky, not scary. Before plugging in lights, inflatables, and other electrical decor this October, give everything a quick safety check. Damaged cords, overloaded outlets and decorations being used in the wrong location can all create hazards. Read our 10 Halloween electrical safety tips: https://hubs.li/Q04xyYww0

10/02/2026

Blankets, hot drinks and a patio heater can make a cool fall evening more comfortable.
Just make sure your heater has enough space around it. Keep patio heaters away from combustible materials and always follow the clearance requirements in the manufacturer’s instructions. More patio heater safety tips: https://hubs.li/Q04xBWn90

10/01/2026

Your pet cannot tell you they have a headache or feel dizzy, but they may still show you that something is wrong. Unusual behaviour, vomiting, drowsiness and difficulty breathing can all be signs of carbon monoxide exposure in pets. Learn the eight signs every pet owner should know: https://hubs.li/Q04xBWtF0

09/30/2026

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, Technical Safety BC will honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, survivors, their families, and the communities that continue to carry the impacts of this history.

We know that this is a time to reflect on the truth of the residential school system in Canada and to recognize that reconciliation requires ongoing learning and action.

09/29/2026

Three things to check before heating season:
1. Do you have fuel-burning appliances?
2. Is your CO alarm working?
3. When does your CO alarm expire?
A few minutes now can help keep your home safer throughout heating season.
Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04xz7Gx0

09/28/2026

Should carbon monoxide (CO) alarms be required in BC homes with gas appliances?

We're exploring potential new requirements for CO alarms in residential buildings with gas appliances. Learn what this could mean for you:

1. Homeowners and vacation property owners: As owners of regulated gas appliances and equipment, you would be responsible for having CO alarms installed, tested, and maintained according to manufacturers’ requirements.

2. Landlords and residential property managers: As owners of regulated gas appliances and equipment, you would be responsible for having CO alarms installed, tested, and maintained according to manufacturers’ requirements.

3. Gas certificate holders: Gasfitters and other gas certificate holders doing regulated gas work in residential buildings would be responsible for checking if the property has CO alarms. You would also declare to TSBC or the local government whether the property has CO alarms. We are considering adding this to the declaration associated with your gas permit.

4. Contractors: Licensed gas contractors would be responsible for validating your employees’ declarations.

Could these changes impact you? Share your feedback at https://hubs.li/Q04ylYnF0 by October 2, 2026.

Image: close up of a hand holding a portable carbon monoxide alarm with open luggage filled with packed clothing in the background.

09/27/2026

Can a power surge damage your electronics during a storm? Yes. While surge protectors can help, the only way to completely protect electronics from an unusually high-power surge is to unplug them. Find more electrical and gas safety tips for BC storm season: https://hubs.li/Q04xy_0N0

09/25/2026

Need help developing your Quality Control Program (QCP) manual?

If you're applying for or renewing a Class B or Class REF Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration contractor licence, you'll need to submit a Quality Control Program (QCP) manual as part of your application.

A QCP manual outlines the policies and procedures your business follows to help ensure regulated work is performed consistently and in accordance with the applicable codes, standards, and regulations.

To help you get started, we've developed a sample QCP manual template that includes guidance on the key sections to include. You can use it as a starting point and customize it to reflect your business, processes, and scope of work.

View the Sample Template: https://hubs.li/Q04qmHhW0

Image: A worker wearing a hard hat, safety glasses, and a high-visibility jacket inspects industrial piping and valves while holding a tablet in a mechanical facility.

Address

Suite 600/2889 East 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5M4T5

Telephone

18665667233

Website

http://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/

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