Electricity, gas and plumbing

Whether it is for electrical, gas or plumbing equipment, appliances/apparatus and materials, the use of certified ones is a pledge of safety. Ask for the certification!

Electricity

Installing electrical equipment which is not approved may pose major safety hazards. Such hazards can even be fatal in the case of an electrification or a fire caused by an electrical failure. All the more reason for the protection equipment such as circuit breakers to be approved by a recognized organization so that its manufacturing and operating criteria are vouched. As for the retailers and home improvement centers, they must ensure that the products they sell meet the requirements, failing which it is forbidden in the province of Québec to sell or rent such products.

Please refer to the list of the sole approval organizations in the field of electricity which are certified by the Standards Council of Canada and recognized by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).

Gas

Gas is an energy source that is both convenient and safe, provided that certain basic safety rules are respected. When a gas-related equipment is not approved, or when it is installed or used irrespective of the essential precautionary measures of safety, it may cause serious burn injuries, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning!

Any gas-fired appliance/apparatus or equipment used in Québec in a gas installation must be approved for its intended use by an organization that is recognized by the RBQ. Go to our page entitled The certification organizations and seals to learn which organizations are recognized in the field of gas.

Plumbing

Plumbing products which are not approved may pose serious hazards with regard to safety and sanitation. For instance:

• Pipes or faucets which are not approved may prove hazardous to human health if they contain lead or include parts that are incompatible with water.
• The pressure relief valve of a water heater is a device preventing the explosion of the tank. Without certification, no one knows if the water heater meets the standard’s manufacturing and operating criteria.

It is forbidden to sell, install or rent materials, appliances/apparatus or equipment intended for plumbing installations that have not been certified or approved by an accredited organization.

To find the list of these certification organizations and for more information, refer to the page entitled Recognized certification organizations.