Hey Canadians I need help re Canadian Standards

[bill2011]

Originally Posted by weirba

Hi, we just went through that process last week with a new Anthem we imported into Alberta.

First, the CDN standards option is electrical and plumbing differences in building codes, as some of the posters have referenced. None of that impacts your importation process., so I would not worry about that at this point.

Second, there is a HUGE difference between importing a new unit vs a used unit, some of the posters are making comments that will only apply to importing a used unit, so treat those accordingly.

The entire process to import is fairly easy, but you do need to make sure you have all your documents in place for the various authorities along the way. The RIV inspection carried out by Canadian Tire is more so an avenue for Federal tax collection than any type of inspection. There is a Federal excise tax for air conditioning they collect, a levy for tire disposal that is applied to new tire purchases, so they count the number of tires and check tire size (levy $ per tire depends on tire size). Then finally they check for the US compliance sticker, which should be on the inside wall just behind the drivers seat, they check axle weights, etc on that sticker.

If you want more detail on our import experience just contact me.

Weirba, what I am now concerned about is that when I sell the unit if I sell to a Canadian purchaser and an inspection is required, because I would not have Canadian Standards Certification the buyer would not be able to obtain licencing for the now used motorhome unless modifications to comply were made. This could screw up a potential sale.

[weirba]

Hi Bill, I was not aware there would be an inspection required by a Canadian buyer of your Coach. Can you elaborate on that, so I can better understand, as it will impact us as well if/when we sell our imported coach.

I know in most cases, should the Canadian buyer be from a different province, his provincial registry will require an "Out of Province" inspection prior to him getting a license. Any of those inspections would be for the "vehicle", not the "house" plumbing and wiring codes. What inspections would the purchaser potentially be subject to that would be specifically looking at these codes?

[marcham]

Information for bc

http://www.safetyauthority.ca/rv-safety

And Manitoba

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sourc...MaLvRmq7OGOBnw

[bill2011]

Weirba I am reading the second and third post on this thread and that's what has me worried. I spoke to Customer Service at Entegra and they advise that there are electrical and plumbing differences. I do not yet have direct knowledge of the situation other than what I am reading here but I think if I do get a new one I will play it safe and order the Canadian Standards certification.

[bill2011]

Weirba I would be worried that the people issuing the QAI certificate in BC and Manitoba would check to ensure compliance with electrical and plumbing requirements. And as mentioned Entegra has advised there are differences.

[weirba]

Thanks for the information, I was not aware of that requirement in BC and Manitoba, I guess maybe that is why Entegra still offers the Canadian standard option?

All of our coaches have a RVIA sticker above the keyless entry by the entry door, certifying compliance with RVIA standard NFPA 1192.

I know there has been an effort for a number of years now on harmonizing the RVIA NFPA 1192 standard and the CSA Z240.

We are in Alberta and in 2009 Alberta passed legislation to accept either organizations sticker, so in our case we are good to go with the RVIA sticker. I know that Ontario adopted that similar legislation in 2011, I would think other provinces would have also adopted that but I am not certain which ones, but I guess not BC and Manitoba.

While I am confident that we don't need any inspections(s), a curious question would be if we sell our imported coach to some one in BC and Manitoba? I could see that being a sticky point but I am not going to worry about that.

Here is a link, FYI, to the RVIA press release from 2009.

http://www.rvia.org/?ESID=prelqeases&PRID=169&SR=1

I guess if you guys are in Manitoba or BC you should lobby your provincial governments to get with the program!

[marcham]

I might be wrong but I thought csa z240 was a building code, not an electrical code?

[marcham]

I stand corrected:

Z240.3.2

1.1 This Standard sets the minimum installation requirements and material standards for plumbing systems in recreational vehicles.

1.2 This Standard is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons.

Z240.4.2

1.1 This Standard applies to the factory installation of propane appliances, accessories, and equipment in recreational vehicles.

Note: CGA Standard CAN/CGA-B149.2 was used as a basis for the preparation of this Standard and should be consulted for installations n ot covered here.

1.2 The sizes of pipe, tubing, and fittings are standard nominal sizes based on imperial (yard-pound) units. For other measures, the values given in SI (metric) units are the standard, and the valu es given in parentheses are for information only.

Z240.6.2/C22.2 No. 148

1.1 This Standard sets out the electrical requirements for recreational vehicles that are intended to be connected by a cord and attachment plug to a source of electrical supply not exceeding 250 V between conductors or 150 V to ground in accordance with rules of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.

[weirba]

Bill, with your thread you initiated some doubt in my mind as to what I required for our imported coach.

I have done a little investigation and ended up at the CRVA (Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association).

They shared with me a spreadsheet of what is required by each province, which confirmed to me that in Alberta we are good with just the RVIA sticker, as is Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia and PEI. The only provinces that require the Z240 seal are Manitoba and Newfoundland. The remaining provinces have specific requirements for Propane and/or electrical specs, but do not require the complete Z240 seal.

CRVA also confirmed "CRVA and RVIA are pushing towards a harmonized standard between CSA Z240 RV Series and NFPA 1192 and are getting closer. The 2015 edition between the standards substantially minimized the differences but work still needs to be done with acceptable wiring and some other components. We remain committed to harmonization of the standards but do not have any further updates at this point."

FYI, in my research I also found out that some portion of the dollars charged for "Canadian Standards Option" that the various manufacturers charge goes to a fund the CRVA and RVIA efforts to harmonize the code.

If you or anyone would like a copy of the Canadian Standards Chart just let me know (weirba@hotmail.com) and I can email it to you.

[bill2011]

Thanks Weirba. I emailed you and would appreciate that chart. So I guess the upshot of all this is on the initial purchase all should be fine with the RIV inspection through Canadian Tire but if you later planned to resell to a buyer in Newfoundland or Manitoba, based on present rules, you should have the Canadian Standards Certification. Is that the way you see It?

[weirba]

Hi Bill:

My thinking is that I am willing to wait and see. Should a potential buyer be from a province that has requirements beyond what I need in Alberta it almost becomes the buyer's responsibility versus mine. But at the same time, I realize that may be a obstruction for potential buyers, from the provinces that have additional requirements, which they will not see as a positive, so likely when I go to sell this coach I will will re-visit the certification.

The biggest thing for me it to make sure I am legal now, which I am so all is good.

When you see the list, you will see some of the other provinces that do not require the full CSA certification, have requirements for electrical that would need to be addressed within the individual provincial inspection protocals (as well as for, propane but I don't have propane so not an issue for us.

[bill2011]

Thanks Weirba. I agree. We also are taking delivery without the Canadian Standards certification. As long as is legal now in all Provinces to bring a new coach in with just the RIV program compliance then worry about the re-sale later.