The 10th edition of CSA B139 is here, and in it are a number of key changes for enhanced safety in the installation and use of oil-burning equipment. Developed and updated by a technical committee under the jurisdiction of the Fuels and Appliances Strategic Steering Committee, this standard has undergone the following changes to clarify existing requirements, help the industry better adapt to current market realities, address safety in certain types of installations that we are seeing more of in the field that were not covered in the 2015 edition of the code, enhance coordination with other relevant standards, and integrate new technological innovations entering the market.

Here are the top changes you should know:

  1. With the release of CAN/CSA B138 Portable Oil Burning Equipment, the CAN/CSA B139 excludes installation of equipment certified to the B138 standard. Installation requirements for such certified equipment are to conform to the B138 standard
  2. With the assistance of the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association, special rules have been to address previous conflicts and discrepancies in fire pump installation requirements between B139 and the NFPA 20 standard
  3. New requirements have been added for the use of side-wall vented condensing furnaces and condensing hot water boilers of limited capacity in proximity to operable windows
  4. An annual visual inpection for leakage in fuel oil tanks, tubing, piping, and fuel oil filers is now required
  5. The standard now clarifies that the external parts of the body of a fuel-containing device, component, or accessory installed in an oil line should have a melting point of no less than 538 °C
  6. Where an external pressure relief valve is installed at an oil pump discharge and downstream of a check valve:
    a) the ullage space of the main tank to which the pressure-relief valve is piped is at least the volume of piping between the check valve and the automatic valve; and
    b) the supply line into the auxiliary supply tank is equipped with a means of anti-siphon where a drop tube is installed
  7. The requirements for loop systems have been clarified to apply to elevated installations only
  8. A new requirement limits the acceptance of tanks conforming to API 650 to field erected tanks with capacities that exceed 175 000 litres
  9. Requirements have been introduced for auxiliary tanks operating in a continuous overflow condition to reduce the risk of overpressurization or vacuum collapse of the tank
  10. A new requirement limits the installation of storage and supply tanks within tank protection levels II, III, IVA or IVB in buildings of non-combustible construction in conformance with Division B, Part 3 of the National Building Code of Canada 
  11. The standard now clarifies that vent pipes where the opening faces downward without a vent cap is not considered sufficient to prevent the ingress of foreign objects and blockage by ice build-up
  12. Requirements have been introduced to allow fill pipes or vent pipes to be recessed into the façade of a building and be provided with an architectural ventilated cover, while limiting the risk of combustible vapour migration into the building
  13. Requirements have been added for through-the wall venting for appliances installed under CSA B139.1.0 to align with similar requirements in CSA B139.2
  14. There are new requirements for the removal of an aboveground or underground tank system that has not been used for more than three years
  15. A new requirement has been added limiting the operating temperature to 38 ° C for an internal engine supply tank
  16. The standard now clarifies that engine service rooms require a non-combustible, liquid-tight sill, or ramp to a height corresponding to 10% of the volume of the largest tank in the room, and at least 150 mm (6 in) high
  17. New requirements have been added for through-the-wall venting of engine exhausts. This offers more flexibility in engine installations and may even reduce the cost of installation
  18. A new requirement has been added which prohibits outdoor installation of oil return lines for installations in accordance with Part 2 of the Code

CSA B139 is now available on the CSA Store.