The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is gearing up to release a new edition of the CSA Z240 RV standard, the Canadian counterpart to the American National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1192.
This move highlights the ongoing efforts by both countries to closely synchronize their RV industry safety standards, as per the News & Insights report of the RV Industry Association (RVIA).
Aligning the RV Standards for Greater Efficiency
The CSA Technical Committee has received several proposed revisions for the CSA Z240, such as new lithium battery requirements, labeling changes, updated definitions of an RV, and modifications to the number of liquid propane cylinders.
The updated CSA Z240 edition is expected to be open for public comment in April 2023, with a scheduled publication in November.
Both Canadian and American RV standards experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a close alignment between the two sets of standards.
Ryan Hyer, a CSA Technical Committee voting member and a Listing Compliance Engineer at Testing Engineers International, explained that most RV manufacturers in America export to Canada due to a lack of Canadian RV manufacturers.
Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that the two countries’ standards remain closely aligned to avoid additional complications for manufacturers.
The Benefits of Synchronization for Manufacturers and Suppliers
Shane Devenish, President of the Canadian Recreation Vehicle Association (CRVA) and a Technical Committee voting member, agrees that synchronizing the standards benefits both manufacturers and suppliers.
By minimizing differences between the standards, manufacturers can build units with the same components and processes, barring minor labeling variances. This streamlining allows manufacturers and suppliers to avoid sourcing different components for each country.
Devenish also highlights the importance of the strong relationship between the Canadian and American RV standards departments in achieving synchronization. The departments collaborate to keep each other updated on the respective countries’ standards, ensuring a smoother process of incorporating changes from one standard into the other.
Emphasizing Safety and Keeping Up with Technological Advances
David Mihalick, THOR Industries’ vice president of vehicle safety & regulatory compliance, who also serves on the CSA Technical Committee, stressed the need to regularly update both sets of standards. This ensures that safety is maintained as technology and manufacturing processes evolve in the RV industry.
Hyer agreed, stating that it’s crucial to establish a basic framework for safety before adopting new technologies like rechargeable battery systems, solar panels, and hydrogen fuel cells. He also acknowledges the essential role RVIA’s standards department plays in coordinating and facilitating this process.
As the new edition of CSA Z240 prepares for public comment next month, the continued collaboration between Canadian and American RV standards departments demonstrates their commitment to safety, innovation, and efficiency in the North American RV industry.