VSA BULLETIN
JUNE 14, 2007

B.C. Safety Authority advises: Propane inspections mandatory

The Motor Vehicle Sales Authority (VSA) is supporting the British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) in advising motor dealers and consumers that any vehicle offered for sale that includes a propane device or storage tank must display a valid inspection certificate.

Most recreation vehicles (i.e. motorhomes, trailers and van conversions) contain one or more propane (LPG) appliance, piping system and storage tank. These gas systems, as they are called, require periodic maintenance and safety checks. The recommended practice is to conduct these maintenance procedures and safety checks at least once every two years and every time the RV’s ownership is transferred to a new end-user. This work can only be done by a BCSA registered rec-reation vehicle dealer or repair shop which are located throughout the Province.

Recreation vehicle service facilities that hold a BCSA operating permit are required to employ BCSA certified recreation vehicle technicians who perform the maintenance and safety checks. These technicians ensure that the gas appliances operate safely and that the gas distribution system is leak free.

The technician then completes the Propane System Re-certification Check List. A copy of this form is available directly from a BCSA office or from the web site www.safetyauthority.ca. The completed re-certification check list should remain with the vehicle for the owner's information.

After the system is approved by the certified technician, a blue B.C. Safety Authority Propane System Approval decal will be affixed to the RV. The information on the decal will include the date of re-certification, shop number and the technician’s registration number. Information about the vehicle and the work performed is also recorded on a BCSA Vehicle List form and submitted to the BCSA for processing. These approval decals and log record forms can be purchased at most BCSA offices.

"We cannot overstate the importance of dealers ensuring that these inspections are completed prior to selling any used recreation vehicle," said Earl Manning, the VSA's Director of Licensing. "In our continuing efforts to increase the professionalism of the motor vehicle sales industry and enhance consumer safety we will be including this information with every dealer licence renewal in the future. Comprehensive information for consumers and the industry will also be available on the VSA website, including a list of all approved inspection shops."

Registered facilities only!

It is a legal requirement for all recreation vehicle shops that provide propane inspection services to be registered with the B.C. Safety Authority. The registration process for a recreation vehicle dealer or service facility includes:

• Obtain a $10,000 surety bond from a bonding company.
  
  
• Submit the original bond, with an application for the annual recreation vehicle operating permit, to the B.C. Safety Authority.
  
  
• The B.C. Safety Authority will invoice the operating permit applicant and, upon receipt of payment, issue to the applicant a recreation vehicle certificate to operate. This operating permit is valid for one year.

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