Electrical Operating Permits

The following require an operating permit:

• Commercial properties
• Multi-occupancy buildings (e.g., hotels, strata-owned condominiums and apartment buildings, office high-rises and shopping malls)
• Manufacturing and industrial facilities (e.g., warehouses, recycling plants)
• Educational facilities (e.g., university, college, public or private schools)
• Hospitals, nursing homes, or senior centers 
• Recreational facilities (e.g., stadiums, ice rinks, bowling alleys) 
• Facilities that operate equipment in hazardous environments
• Wind farms 
• Greenhouses 

Equipment will require an operating permit if:

• The operation or design of electrical equipment is such that regular or ongoing maintenance is required;
• The electrical equipment is operated within Class I, Class II, or Class III hazardous locations;
• The electrical equipment is operated or maintained for emergency service;
• The electrical equipment is part of a fire alarm system;
• The supply is greater than 250 kVA;
• The supply to privately owned equipment, except for high voltage neon signs, is greater than 1000 volts;
• The equipment is installed for temporary use and the supply is greater than 5 kVA;
• There is an elevator;
• There is an electrical vehicle management system; 
• The Electrical Safety Officer (ESO) requests the owner obtains a permit for the ongoing maintenance and operation of regulated equipment. 

Owners are responsible for initiating the permit and making sure their permit is in good standing. Owners will work with either an in-house FSR or a contractor, who is certified and in good standing with the TSBC, to ensure they meet the obligations of the operating permit that has been issued to them.

Issuance of the electrical operating permit does not sanction unauthorized construction or unauthorized use of property. The property owner/tenant is responsible to ensure compliance with local Building, Planning, Zoning and Bylaw requirements.

In the case of multi-occupancy buildings, it is the responsibility of each equipment owner to ensure that operation and maintenance is authorized under an operating permit. 

Your equipment must be maintained by a qualified professional. To engage the services of a licensed electrical contractor, find a licensed electrical contractor in your area.

Site reviews must be requested annually. The FSR named on the permit is required to submit a Contractor Authorization Form (CAF) to initiate the inspection at the 12-month mark. Check your permit as it may contain special conditions. 

Annual Electrical Operating Permits are not eligible for extension. They must be reapplied for every year to maintain compliance. 

A new Operating Permit must be issued prior to closing the current one. Your previous year's permit will be not closed/receive final acceptance until you do the following: 

1. Have your FSR apply for a new electrical operating permit for the year
2. Submit a Contractor Authorization Form (CAF) with the maintenance logs attached to close the previous permit. On the CAF, indicate the following in the additional remarks section so the ESO can close the permit: 
   1. This is for the closure of the previous year's EOP. 
   2. The new EOP has been applied for, include the new permit number. 

Electrical equipment associated with temporary entertainment productions is subject to a great deal of "wear and tear" due to the nature of installation. If not properly maintained and or installed, this equipment is subject to failure, which may pose a risk to persons and property. 

An Entertainment Electrical Operating Permit makes sure your electrical installation is monitored by a qualified professional who is responsible to confirm compliance with applicable codes and standards.

Examples of temporary events/productions which may require an Entertainment Electrical Operating Permit:

• Film/Television Productions
• Mobile Concession Stands
• Festivals
• Concerts
• Fairs
• Carnivals
• Temporary Amusement setups 

As the event organizer, you are responsible for submitting your Entertainment Electrical Operating Permit Application 2 weeks prior to the date of your event.

The FSR or Licensed Electrical Contractor named on the permit is responsible to ensure the installation is compliant, inspections have been requested and that contact has been made with the ESO. 

• Boiler and Pressure Vessels
• Gas
• Elevating
• Amusement Devices
• Passenger Ropeway

If you have an elevator, you must have an active Elevator Operating Permit with TSBC and an electrical operating permit with the City of Surrey. 

Electrical operating permits are issued to the owner and/or managing agent of the electrical equipment. The operating permit must name a Field Safety Representative (FSR) certified by the Technical Safety BC (TSBC) who will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the equipment. Electrical contractors must obtain the appropriate permit from a regulatory authority before performing regulated work or using a regulated product.

• The FSR may be an employee of the owner/operator
• The FSR may be named on multiple operating permits for different equipment owners. However, they may only represent the interest of one owner/operator at a time when applying for permits or communicating with the City.

The FSR named on the permit, including declarations of compliance, must comply with Section 26 of the Safety Standards General Regulations. Duties include but are not limited to:

1. Ensuring that the regulated work complies with all requirements under the Act.
2. Requesting inspections prior to concealing, and or energizing any regulated work.
3. Ensuring that persons performing regulated work under this permit have the qualifications that are appropriate for that type of work (including supervision ratios).
4. Disclosing to a safety officer any regulated product or regulated work that creates a risk of personal injury or damage to property.
5. Certification marking is required for electrical equipment and associated wiring: See BCEC 2-024 Use of approved equipment.
6. Maintaining permit to active status. Expired permit fees or permit extension fees must be paid, if applicable. In issuing a permit, no determination of compliance with other city bylaws has been made by the City and should the use of land and premise breach any of its bylaws now or in the future, the City reserves the right to enforce those bylaws in accordance with their conditions.