CBC News has learned Transport Canada is not going to apply the recommendations from the Swissair disaster.

The recommendations stem from a two-year, $60 million investigation by the Transportation Safety Board.

The outcome: five recommendations to help detect and put out fires on board jetliners.

Swissair plane reconstructed
Swissair plane reconstructed

"I'm shocked that Canada would not even take the recommendations from its own safety board and make them regulations," says Tim Van Beveren, an air safety expert based in Florida.

Swissair hull
Swissair hull

On Sept. 2, 1998, a Swissair flight carrying 229 people crashed into the ocean off Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.

The results have not been conclusive, although investigators say there should be inspections of the wiring on all MD-11 jets.

They also found problems in the overhead cockpit wiring leading to circuit breakers.

One of the recommendations is to have smoke detectors in cockpit ceilings, something commercial airlines aren't required to do now. And, to have firefighting equipment on deck.

Transport Canada alone has the power to turn the suggestions into regulations and it isn't going to do so.

In a letter to the TSB, Transport Canada says the recommendations will be applied only through international co-operation. The department says it is planning to hold meetings in the future to discuss the matter again.

Air Canada officials have refused comment.

Swissair, however, says it has tested infrared cameras in the cockpit and has trie dout different fire suppression systems.

The TSB's investigation into Swissair is still continuing.