Failed Enbridge Inspection

[Porcupinepuffer]

So I recently did a conversion for a family member. It was a simple propane to natural gas conversion on a keeprite furnace. I installed it at the beginning of winter and it was temporary until a meter came in.

Propane inspection went well. Now Fast forward to today: Propane tanks gone, furnace converted back to it's original natural gas state with the new gas meter.

Inspector waltz's on in and writes up code 4.5.4 "If an appliance is converted from one gas to another, the gas to which it is converted shall be marked on the appliance rating plate by the fitter making the conversion".

So now the furnace is back to its old state with the original rating plates of natural gas, orifice sizing, etc...

The inspector is saying to the homeowner I need to have a sticker specifically on the appliance stating the conversion...

Now, when I CAREFULLY read over the code, it makes zero sense for me to write down the name of the gas it's now converted to on the rating plate when it's clearly already listed as natural gas on the rating plate.
It does not state I need to write down any specific wording of "converted to..." It simply states only the fuel/gas type needs to be written down that an appliance is converted to if it's different then what's on the original rating plate.

I interpret the code with a little more intelligence and common sense and believe they don't want a completely incorrect rating plate of a different gas/fuel source and simply want it noted what the appliance is intended to run on.

I believe the furnace should have never gotten a tag for this. I actually did write on the updated gas tag that I had actually converted it from propane back to natural gas. I also wrote down my pressures and had it bang on running like a champ.

The inspector was telling my family member he can't turn it on because if the conversion wasn't done the house could explode and it's a big hazard.

Apparently, the 4.5.4 is the concrete proof that it has been converted back to natural gas.

Am I being too defensive over my amazing work, or is this inspector getting carried away?

:frustrated:

[Admin]

Clause 4.5.4 - If an appliance is converted from one gas to another, the gas to which it is converted shall be marked on the appliance rating plate by the fitter making the conversion.

This is from the older B149 handbook,

Intent and Rationale — Clause 3.5
The intent of Clause 3.5 is to avoid the installation of appliances that are not suitable for their intended use.

The suitability of appliances for the type of gas available must be confirmed prior to installation, since improper operation may result. This is particularly the case when converting appliance gas types, for example, from natural gas to propane. Conversions must be in accordance with manufacturer's certified instructions; where these do not exist, the converted appliance must be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. The marking of the appliance rating plate by the fitter who makes the conversion, to indicate the fuel supplied, is the most practical means of updating the appliance rating plate information.

Depending on existing systems or conditions, an appliance may create a hazard and, therefore, is prohibited. For example, natural draft appliances must not be installed in spaces where air exhausting equipment may result in spillage of the products of combustion The inspection of appliances used and the determination of their suitability by the installer represents the most practical means currently available to ensure safety in the field.

In the inspectors defence, they know the furnace was previously running on propane and even though the original rating plate states natural gas, they want some sort of confirmation it was converted back.  Clause 4.5.4 isn't very clear and basically says you can scribble the words "Natural Gas" on the rating plate. This doesn't really mean too much in my opinion.  I would rather see a conversion tag with name, date, certificate #.

I see your point too.  You could argue, by removing all the "Converted to Propane" stickers from the gas valve and rating plate you essentially satisfied Clause 4.5.4 as the rating plate is accurate in its original state.

Clause 4.3.1 - Before leaving installations, installers shall ensure that the appliance, accessory, component, equipment, or piping and tubing they installed complies with the Code requirements, and the person initially activating the appliance shall ensure that the appliance is in safe working order.

On a new service unlock, even though the appliance was used, the inspector is technically activating the appliance.  The person who activates the appliance should be checking to make sure the manifold pressure is set correctly or clocking the meter.  Some inspectors would have done this and passed the inspection, after writing "Natural Gas" on the rating plate on your behalf of course.

[Porcupinepuffer]

The very fact I wrote a gas tag with all the information and wrote on the back "converted back from propane to natural gas". I think I made it very clear it's all been made to run on natural gas.

He kept telling the customer  " I don't know if he changed the orifices, or the spring in the gas valve, etc..."

If that's the case, why do I even need a license or to make a gas tag if it means nothing?

He kept talking about a "sticker"... which I can picture as one of those propane conversion stickers I've had before, but never had one for doing the reverse, and the infraction still doesn't say that for the code he provided.

He was told specifically about the tag and where I wrote down I did the conversion, but he was hellbent on having it somehow marked on the appliance.... When I believe the natural gas rating plate is all he needs.

I think his theory only makes sense for a specific propane appliance converted to natural gas.

Maybe next time I'll make a video of the conversion for the inspector... They're clearly too stupid to read a rating plate and know the difference between 11" w.c. and 3.4" w.c.

And the clocking of the meter was something I immediately thought of that he could do to know if it was off... But I think the math formula was too complicated since he can't read a code right. It's probably why he doesn't work as an installer or service guy.

[Admin]

If you had completed a tag, and attached it to gas piping or duct work, I don't see a problem.  The duct work and gas piping are the appliance according to O.Reg 212/01.

"appliance" means a device that consumes or is intended to consume a gas and includes all valves, fittings, controls and components attached or to be attached to it;

[Porcupinepuffer]

Thanks. I had forgotten about that appliance definition.

[Porcupinepuffer]

Same inspector ended up coming back. Claimed to the home owner that I must have quickly came by and put my newer gas tag that says I converted the appliance, and the changes to the black iron.

That statement didn't exactly win him any bonus points with the home owner as it was very clearly mentioned when he was there.  Also by the fact I finished work late and I was nowhere near his house since he lives an hour away from me.

He took a closer look at the rating plate and realized it was the correct one for natural gas and the fail for the code was incorrect.

When the home owner was complaining about the fee for the failed inspection, the inspectors response to calm him down was "don't worry, you just give that to your contractor and they pay it".

All said and done, the meter was left on and it passed. The inspector had ate a lot of cursing and swearing and had to leave before being chased away with a shovel by the home owner.

I also shared the situation with other techs and a Keeprite rep, and they said as long as the original rating plate is there with no propane related stickers, it's good to go.

[Hvacpimp]

The only thing that I could see was an issue is that when you get conversion kits they come with their own "conversion sticker" to show. its very picky on his part to ask for that sticker even though it was written on the tag. It's almost the same concept as using a piece of cardboard for a test tag. We all know what it is but is it 100%?  Please keep in mind that even those inspectors have inspectors that inspect them and sometimes they have to walk on eggshells. I am in no way sticking up for him because I wasn't there but for me when I used to install and it was a weird situation like this I would stay on site when the inspector is there. I will put $$$ on it that if you were there at the time of the inspection you would have passed.