WHITEHORSE – As of July 1, a permit and subsequent inspection will be required to install, modify or replace components of fuel oil-fired heating systems including furnaces, fuel lines, chimneys and storage tanks.
“The Yukon government has been working with the City of Whitehorse and industry representatives for several years to develop heating system safety initiatives that ensure home and business heating systems are properly installed and maintained,” Community Services Minister Archie Lang said.
About 75 per cent of Yukon homes and businesses use fuel oil for heating. Once the new regulation for fuel oil-fired heating systems is in place, major work on all fuel oil heating systems throughout Yukon will require permits and inspections.
“We know that a properly installed and maintained heating system is safer and more energy efficient and by requiring permits and providing safety inspections we hope to correct hazards before they cause fires, fuel leaks or other damages,” Lang said.
Although, routine annual maintenance of heating systems does not require a permit, both the City of Whitehorse and Yukon government safety inspectors encourage regular annual maintenance, preferably by certified technicians.
For more information about the new permitting requirements and process call the Government of Yukon Building Safety branch at 667-5741 or 1-800-661-0408 extension 5741 outside of Whitehorse. Building safety information is also available online at www.community.gov.yk.ca or by calling the City of Whitehorse Building Inspection branch at 867-668-8340.
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Emily Younker
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Arlene Yeulet
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