Court issues suspended sentence and one-year probation
In May 2013, a TSSA inspector confirmed that a residential propane fireplace and piping had been installed by an uncertified gas technician. Mr. Michael Caul of Hastings County, Ontario was identified, issued cease and desist orders, and subsequently prosecuted.
Mr. Caul pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville to installing a gas appliance without being the holder of a certificate for that purpose and without registering as a fuels contractor, violating the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. Although these offences normally carry fines in the thousands of dollars, the court gave Mr. Caul a suspended sentence and one year probation, noting his extenuating personal circumstances.
“Potentially lethal risks can be created if a fuel-fired appliance is not properly installed,” said John Marshall, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “Anyone installing, repairing or servicing fuel-fired appliances must possess a valid TSSA certification and heed all applicable safety standards.” If in doubt of a technician’s certificati