On July 12, 2017, an amendment entitled Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (International Harmonization Update, 2016) was published in Part II of the Canada Gazette. The amendment is accessible through the following URL: Amendment SOR/2017-137.
With this amendment, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) now dynamically reference the CSA B620, B621 and B622 standards. This allows stakeholders to use the most recent versions of these safety standards. For the CSA B620, B621 and B622 safety standards, the latest edition is the 2014 edition. There is a 6-month transition period, beginning July 12, 2017, to comply with the most recent version of the CSA B620/B621/B622 standards. Until January 12, 2018, you may either comply with the 2009 or 2014 editions of these standards.
One important change brought forward with this regulatory amendment, is the new requirement for automatic engine air intake shut-off devices on diesel engines. These devices are important in preventing engine runaway in case of exposure to flammable vapours.
These new requirements can be found in Clause 7.1 (j) of CSA B621-14 (for transport of Class 3, or subsidiary Class 3, dangerous goods) and Clause 5.1 (i) of CSA B622-14 (for transport of Class 2.1 dangerous goods).
Clause 7.1, CSA B621-14
A means of containment shall not be used unless the following conditions are fulfilled:
(j) as of January 1, 2016, diesel engines on highway tanks and portable tanks containing Dangerous Goods of primary Class 3, or subsidiary Class 3, and being used during loading or off loading shall be equipped with an automatic engine air intake shut off device that will prevent engine runaway in case of exposure to flammable vapours. The device shall activate automatically if engine runaway is detected and remain activated until manually reset.
Clause 5.1 (i), CSA B622-14
A means of containment shall not be used unless the following conditions are fulfilled:
(i) no later than January 1, 2016, diesel engines on highway tanks and portable tanks containing dangerous goods of Class 2.1 and being used during loading or off loading shall be equipped with an automatic engine air intake shut-off device that will prevent engine runaway in case of exposure to flammable vapours. The device shall activate automatically if engine runaway is detected and remain activated until manually reset;
Despite the January 1, 2016, date identified in the clauses, the mandatory compliance date is January 12, 2018. As of this date, automatic engine air intake shut-off devices will be mandatory for diesel engines that are used during loading or off loading, on all highway tanks and portable tanks containing either dangerous goods of primary Class 3, or subsidiary class 3, OR dangerous goods of Class 2.1.
The standards referenced above may be purchased from www.csagroup.org or ShopCSA Customer Service: 1-800-463-6727 or 416-747-4044. You can also view the standards using CSA’s website. If you’re interested in only viewing a copy of these CSA standards, I recommend signing up for CSA Group’s Communities of Interest: https://community.csagroup.org/community/ohs/tdg-standards-view-access. The standards are freely accessible here (upon registration).