Safety Codes Updates - Spring 2026

2024 code update for hot tubs – disconnect requirements

A dedicated disconnect device must be located outside the dwelling unit. The disconnect must be:

• Readily accessible
• Lockable
• Positioned in compliance with CEC Rule 68 072, which prohibits placing any disconnect within 1.5 m of the tub.

This disconnect is intended to provide a safe and clearly identifiable means of isolation for servicing and emergency situations. 

GFCI clearance requirements:

• GFCI devices are not permitted within 3 m of the hot tub, unless they are installed behind a permanent barrier, such as a wall. (Note: Small enclosures or boxes do not qualify as permanent barriers.)
• If the GFCI protection is located at the main service panel inside the home, the exterior disconnect may be installed between 1.5 m and 3 m from the tub.

Requirements for installing heat trace systems

Heat trace systems must be installed by a qualified electrician or an apprentice under supervision, in accordance with both manufacturer instructions and the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Electrician Trade Regulation.

Installations must follow manufacturer instructions to ensure proper performance and long term system reliability.

Plumbers may install factory made, plug and play heat trace units. However, they can not cut, modify, or build a heat trace cable as this constitutes electrical work under Alberta’s Electrician Trade Regulation and must be performed by electrical personnel.

CEC Rule 62 116 requires ground fault protection for all electric heat tracing systems. 

• Ground Fault Protection Equipment (GFPE) (30–50 mA) is recommended, as it provides effective equipment protection and helps prevent nuisance tripping.
• Standard Class A GFCI (4–6 mA) devices may trip unnecessarily and are generally not appropriate for heat trace installations.

Using approved electrical equipment in Alberta

CEC Rule 2 024 requires all electrical equipment used in an installation to be approved and suitable for its intended purpose.

In Alberta, electrical equipment is considered approved only if one of the following has been met:

• Certified by a Standards Council of Canada (SCC)–accredited certification body.
• Inspected and accepted through a recognized field evaluation process, such as SPE 1000 or SPE 3000.

Examples of acceptable Canadian certification marks include:

• CSA, cUL/ULC, cULus, QAI, QPS, ETL, and other marks issued by SCC accredited bodies.

The following are not acceptable for use in Canada:

• CE marking
• UL (U.S.) without a Canadian identifier such as cUL or cULus

Important note: Consumers and installers should exercise caution when purchasing electrical products from online marketplaces such as Amazon. Many items sold through these platforms do not carry approved Canadian certification labels. Several house fires have been linked to these unapproved products, as they may not meet required safety standards or construction quality.

Spring sump pump check

With all the snow we’ve had this year, it’s likely to be a wet spring. Additionally, when the ground has a lot of snow like we’ve had this year, the soil will reach full saturation sooner.  When the ground can’t absorb as much, it is more likely to run against your foundation and into your foundation drainage system sooner and for a longer duration. 

In Fort McMurray, house foundations are drained in several ways depending on the neighborhood you are in. Your foundation drainage system may be tied directly into a public sanitary or storm system or it may be pumped to the exterior of the building directly onto the ground.

If your home drainage system relies on a sump pump to drain your foundation, it’s worth checking that everything is fully operational. If your drainage system pumps onto the ground and not directly into a connecting pipe, at minimum, you will need to make sure there is a splash pad in place to direct the flow of water away from your home and that there is positive drainage all around your home. 

Sump pumps should be checked regularly. Most sump-pumps operate when a float rises as the sump fills with water. You can test it by adding water to the sump and when the float switch rises it should begin pumping that water out. If that doesn’t happen, you might have a problem. 

Most sump pumps have a lifespan of seven to 10 years. If your pump is older than seven years or runs often, you should increase the frequency of your checks as the risk of motor or switch failure rises significantly. The last thing you want is a pump failure at a critical moment during a weather event like a spring downpour. 

Sump pump maintenance checklist:

2025 Gas Code now in effect

As of March 1, 2026, the 2025 Gas Code is now in effect, which include critical changes regarding items for regulation, protection of piping, and more. 

Some examples of changes in the code:

• The “corrosive atmosphere” when we run a gas line in an outside wall.  Normally, we wouldn’t consider insulation to be corrosive.  However, when we add moisture to the insulation (outside wall), it can lead to rust and corrosion on the steel pipe.  Protection as detailed in the B149.1:25 will be required.
• Gas lines run in “an unheated, inaccessible building element…” (B149.1:25 – 6.16.9) need extra protection in the form of a sleeve AND double wrapping with pipe wrap tape.

Review a full summary of the changes at safetycodes.ab.ca. 

Prevent surprises at your next installation; purchase the newest edition of the code at csagroup.org.