BC Safety Authority
Before heading out to your favourite campsite or retreat this summer, please take some time to make sure your natural gas or propane appliances are in safe working order. Portable fuel burning appliances should only be used outside where they are properly ventilated. Also, read and understand the manufacturer’s certified instructions regarding the safe operation and maintenance of your appliances.
BC Safety Authority (BCSA) recommends you carefully inspect all gas equipment prior to use and install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your RV or recreational dwelling. When purchasing a CO alarm, look for one that is certified to the latest Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requirements, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation and maintenance. In British Columbia, portable propane appliances are required to bear Canadian approval, typically to a CSA standard.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon fuels such as propane, natural gas, wood, charcoal, alcohol, kerosene or gasoline. When portable fuel-burning appliances are used outdoors they are fine, but in an enclosed space – like a tent, RV, cottage or cabin – CO can become trapped, creating a hazardous and potentially lethal environment.
Inhalation of CO interferes with the body’s ability to absorb oxygen, which can result in serious illness or even death. Symptoms of CO poisoning can include: light-headedness, headaches, nausea, fatigue, chest pains, vomiting, convulsions, confusion and dizziness. If you suspect you have been exposed to CO, turn all appliances off, leave the dwelling immediately and seek the nearest available medical attention.
To keep your recreational space safe, be sure to obtain all necessary permits before undertaking home improvements to your cottage or cabin. Permits help ensure gas and electrical installations are done safely and according to code. If you aren’t sure whether work requires a permit, contact BCSA for more information.
For more information about how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, visit the BC Safety Authority website at: www.safetyauthority.ca/carbon-monoxide
Additional permit information for homeowners is also available at: www.thinkpermit.ca
BC Safety Authority is an independent, self-funded organization mandated to oversee the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment.
