CSA B149HB:20

Preface

This is the sixth edition of CSA’s B149HB, Natural gas and propane code handbook. It supersedes the previous editions, published in 2015, 2005, 2000, 1995, and 1991 by CSA.

In 1991, members of the natural gas and propane industry recommended that an appliance installation Code handbook be written. This recommendation included a suggestion that the handbook provide clarification of Code requirements. Regulatory documents, such as the Code, contain technical language conveying both legal and field-usage requirements, but the complexity of such language may at times diminish the clarity of the information communicated.

This Handbook serves as a means of clarifying Code requirements. The committee members who develop the Code have had experience with most of the information contained in this Handbook, and this experience has served to facilitate their work. The content of the Handbook was derived primarily from submissions made to the CSA B149 Installation Code Committee from a variety of sources. Much of the background information for this Handbook, therefore, originated from requests for changes to the requirements of the Code. The background information provided with a proposal for a change to the Code may be used in future editions of this Handbook. It is, therefore, important that the intent and rationale for any proposal be clear.

The scope of coverage in this edition has been expanded. It now addresses some of the content of CSA B149.2:20, Propane storage and handling code, specifically related to typical propane applications but excluding industrial applications, such as bulk storage.

CSA acknowledges the contribution of the Handbook’s key author, Ted Kesik of Knowledge Mapping Inc. Jean-François Bussières, Barry Cavens, Brad Diggens, Carey LaRose, Bob Pattison, Gary Potter, George Prociw, John Marshall, John McCormack, Ron McRae, David Stainrod, Dale C. Stewart, Ivo Svorinic, David Weishuhn, and Gord Williams reviewed the content prior to publication, and their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.