BC SAFETY AUTHORITY’S CONSULTATION ON THE ADOPTION OF
THE 2015 EDITION OF THE CANADIAN ELECTRICAL CODE
Questions & Answers
ABOUT THIS CONSULTATION
What is this consultation about?
BCSA would like the electrical industry to consider the changes in the 2015 Canadian Electrical
Code and the proposed BC amendments, and give their opinion on amendments in the 2015
edition of the Canadian Electrical Code should be adopted for use in BC.
Why do you need to adopt the code? Hasn’t CSA already published the code?
Yes, CSA publishes an updated version of the Canadian Electrical Code every three years, but
it doesn’t become law in BC until the Province adopts it. BCSA is responsible for reviewing the
code and formulating any BC-specific amendments. We then recommend adoption of the code
with any BC amendments in a submission to the responsible Ministry at the Province of BC. The
Ministry considers our submission and makes a determination before adopting the new edition
of the code into the Electrical Safety Regulation by a Minister’s Order.
Shouldn’t the code be adopted as written?
After CSA publishes an updated version of the Canadian Electrical Code, BCSA is responsible
for recommending adoption of the new version of the code for use in BC, along with any BCspecific amendments. It is important to review the code and any BC-specific amendments to
ensure there are no conflicts with other BC laws and regulations, or special considerations that
the code needs to align with.
How were the proposed BC amendments formed?
The Canadian Electrical Code 2015 Adoption Working Group, comprised of members in various
areas of the electrical industry, conducted a technical review of the changes between the 2012
and 2015 editions of the code for consistency with the Safety Standards Act and other BC laws,
improvements to electrical safety, and clarification of wording. The Working Group provided
recommendations to the Electrical Technology Advisory Committee on BC amendments. The
Electrical Technology Advisory Committee reviewed and accepted these recommendations and
provided them to BCSA. BCSA is now putting forward these recommendations for public
consultation. You can read more about the Electrical Technology Advisory Committee here.
Q&A: Consultation on the Adoption of the 2015 edition of the Canadian Electrical Code
BC Safety Authority
April 2015
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You’ve already had code experts review the code through the Canadian Electrical Code
2015 Adoption Working Group and Electrical Technology Advisory Committee. Why do
you need further public/industry input?
BCSA is responsible for submitting a recommendation to the Province to adopt the code for use
in BC. In order to make the most informed decision and recommendation to the Ministry, BCSA
needs industry input on impacts the changes to the code would have on the electrical industry
and the public. The Canadian Electrical Code 2015 Adoption Working Group was put together
to review the code; this group’s membership included various experts in the electrical industry,
including members of CSA’s code review committees and sub-committees. The Working
Group’s recommendations were reviewed and accepted by the Electrical Technology Advisory
Committee, and further recommended to BCSA. The recommendations put forward for
consultation are thanks to the hard work, expertise and dedication of these individuals, but it is
to the benefit of safety that the larger industry have a chance to review these recommendations
and provide input on how these changes impact their operations, before the code is adopted.
I’d like to comment but can’t submit my feedback until after the consultation closing date
of May 15. Can you wait for my feedback?
Unfortunately we cannot consider any feedback that arrives after 5:00pm PDT, Friday May 15,
2015. We need to make our submission to the Province of BC so that users of the code can
gain access to it in a timely manner.
ABOUT EFFECTIVE DATES AND TRANSITION TIMES
When will the 2015 edition of the Canadian Electrical Code be in effect in BC?
Ultimately the Province of BC decides when the 2015 Canadian Electrical Code comes into
effect. BCSA is planning for adoption in the Fall 2015. The effective date of the code will be
indicated on the Ministerial Order.
I’m currently in school. Which edition of the Canadian Electrical Code will I be tested on?
Please contact the Industry Training Authority, as they oversee apprenticeship and Red Seal
exams.
I’m writing an FSR exam in 2015. Which edition of the code will I be tested on?
Upon the effective date of the 2015 code, all applications for electrical FSR exams will be on the
2015 edition of the code.
Q&A: Consultation on the Adoption of the 2015 edition of the Canadian Electrical Code
BC Safety Authority
April 2015
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Which edition of the code is to be used for installations?
The edition of the code will depend on the date the installation permit was issued. Where a
permit is obtained prior to adoption of the 2015 edition, the installation can be completed on the
existing 2012 edition. When the 2015 code is adopted, an information bulletin will be issued that
will announce the effective date of the code and which edition of the code can be used under
which circumstances.
ABOUT SPECIFIC CHANGES TO THE CODE
I am not happy with what the code changes mean for my industry.
Great—This kind of feedback is exactly what this consultation is for. Tell us how the code
changes impact you and your industry through the webform.
What are the BC amendments being proposed?
 Section 0
Change definition of “electrical contractor” and add definition of “National
Building Code of Canada” to retain existing definitions for consistency
with provincial laws
 Section 2
Do not adopt Subrule 2-104(1) (electrical equipment ratings) as standards
cannot be achieved as written
 Section 10
Amend Rule 10-802 (material for system grounding conductors) to enable
the use of aluminum in dry locations
Add “(see Appendix B)” to title of Rule 10-002
 Appendix
Add note for 10-002(1) (Object [of grounding and bonding]) to Appendix B
to retain information from Rule 10-500 deleted from 2015 edition
What are some of the major changes between the 2012 and 2015 editions of the Canadian
Electrical Code?
While there are many differences between the 2012 and 2015 editions of the Canadian
Electrical Code, some of the more significant changes are:
 Section 4:
Clarifies the ampacity issues encountered in the 2012 edition of the
Canadian Electrical Code
 Rule 26-724: Expanded AFCI requirements in residential buildings which improve fire
safety
 Section 64: New fire safety requirements for photovoltaic systems
 Section 66: New safety requirements for temporary electrical installations, such as for
carnivals and movie sets
 Rule 76-016: While this rule did not change in the Canadian Electrical Code, BCSA is
not proposing a BC amendment to this rule, unlike with previous editions
of the code.
Are any of the changes to the code retroactive?
No. As in previous editions of the Canadian Electrical Code, none of the changes to the code
are retroactive.
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BC Safety Authority
April 2015
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Does the proposed amendment to Rule 10-802 exclude copper from use as a potential
material for system grounding conductors?
No. The proposed amendment to Rule 10-802 allows for both copper and aluminum to be used
as grounding conductors. Aluminum is excluded from exterior locations.
What types of buildings are affected by Rule 26-724?
Rule 26-724 would apply to all new construction and renovations in residential, including both
single family dwellings and multi-unit dwellings.
Why aren’t you recommending changes to Rule 26-724 (arc fault circuit protection in
residential settings)?
According to Canadian fire statistics, AFCI devices have reduced the number of fatal residential
fires. The new rules will expand the use of AFCI’s and substantially improve safety.
Why are you not recommending the previous amendment to rule 76-016 that provided an
exception to the use of GFCI receptacles for temporary construction power?
Authorities having jurisdiction will still be able to grant special permission for alternative
protection under rule 2-030 where they deem appropriate. There will be an information bulletin
issued to provide guidelines for this special permission in BCSA jurisdiction.
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BC Safety Authority
April 2015
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