Manitoba's Inspection and Technical Services branch has issued Gas Bulletin ITS 26-001, dated January 2026, confirming that the 2025 editions of the CSA B149 series, the natural gas and propane codes, take effect in the province on March 1, 2026. The codes are adopted in full, with no Manitoba amendments. Work carried out on or after June 1, 2026 must comply.
For anyone installing gas-fired tankless water heaters in Manitoba, this is the code edition that now governs the job.
What the bulletin says
The short answer: a March 1 effective date, a June 1 compliance date, and no provincial changes.
The bulletin gives two dates. The code takes effect on March 1, 2026. Then, under its implementation timeline, all gas and propane installations, service work and field approvals conducted on or after June 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 editions, as required by The Gas and Oil Burner Act and Regulation.
Manitoba says adopting the codes unchanged aligns it with its New West Partnership counterparts and other jurisdictions in Canada.
Changes the bulletin highlights in B149.1-25
The short answer: hydrogen blends, press-connect fittings, bonding, leak testing and revised vent clearance tables.
The bulletin summarises the main changes to the installation code:
- Hydrogen-natural gas blends are now formally defined as "gas", with requirements for rating plates, odorization and safety notices.
- Certified press-connect fittings are permitted for piping of 2-1/2 inch NPS and larger, pending jurisdictional approval. The branch says it will issue guidance on accepted products.
- Bonding and grounding provisions now align with the current Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.
- Large industrial fuel-burning systems get expanded provisions.
- Leak testing procedures now require combustible gas indicators and update maximum permissible leakage rates.
- Clearance tables for vents and electrical trenches have been revised.
It also lists changes to B149.2 (propane storage and handling) and B149.3 (field approval of fuel-burning appliances), including new rules for self-service propane dispensers and updated flue gas testing procedures.
Where other provinces stand
The short answer: Saskatchewan and BC were still in the adoption process when we checked.
On its 2025 gas code presentations page, the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan says provincial adoption of the 2025 B149 series is proposed for 2026. In BC, Technical Safety BC's engagement page asks for feedback on adopting the 2025 series into the Gas Safety Regulation with no BC-specific variations, and says the updated requirements would apply only to new construction, installation, replacement and major alterations. Neither page gave an effective date when we read it in October 2026.
Timeline at a glance
The short answer: bulletin in January, effective in March, mandatory for all work from June.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Bulletin ITS 26-001 issued by Inspection and Technical Services |
| March 1, 2026 | 2025 CSA B149 series takes effect in Manitoba |
| June 1, 2026 | All gas and propane installations, service work and field approvals must comply |
The bulletin also encourages anyone doing gas work to buy the 2025 editions from CSA Group and update training materials and internal inspection checklists.
Analysis: what this means for tankless installers
This section is TanklessNews.ca analysis. It is not compliance advice; the code and the regulator are the authorities.
Tankless jobs touch several of the listed changes at once: gas piping is often resized, vents are rerouted through a new wall penetration, and leak testing follows every connection.
- Vent terminations are the practical risk. The bulletin says vent clearance tables were revised. Any installation photo, diagram or "typical install" graphic on your website drawn under the old code may now be out of date. Review them.
- Update quote templates. If your quotes or warranty sheets name a code edition, make sure Manitoba work done from June 1, 2026 refers to the 2025 edition.
- Press-connect isn't a sales line yet. The bulletin ties larger press-connect fittings to jurisdictional approval and promised guidance. Don't advertise it as a time saver until that guidance exists.
- Use the change as a training story. Homeowners like to hear that a crew trained on the new code. If yours did, say so plainly, with the date.
Our Manitoba market page covers the rest of the provincial picture, and our explainer on plastic vent rules for tankless replacements adds venting context. We are a marketing service, not a gas contractor or inspector. If you want your installation pages reviewed for outdated code references, see our rebate, code and recall content service, then call, text or email.
Frequently asked questions
When do the 2025 B149 codes apply in Manitoba?
The bulletin says the codes take effect on March 1, 2026, and that all gas and propane installations, service work and field approvals carried out on or after June 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 editions.
Did Manitoba add its own amendments?
No. Bulletin ITS 26-001 says the series is adopted in full, without provincial amendments, to align Manitoba with its New West Partnership counterparts and other jurisdictions.
Does the bulletin mention venting?
Yes, briefly. It says clearance tables for vents and electrical trenches have been revised and that all installations must reflect those changes. It doesn't list the new values; those are in the code itself.
Where can installers get the code?
The bulletin says the 2025 editions of CSA B149.1, B149.2 and B149.3 can be bought online from CSA Group, and encourages gas workers to update training materials and inspection checklists.