Summary of Committee Recommendations to Code Change Proposals Affecting Hydrogen Technology in the I-Codes
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association


The ICC Code Development Hearings were held between February 18 and March 2, 2008 in Palm Springs, California. At the hearings, I-Codes Committees heard proposals on all aspects of the I-codes, including the International Fire Code and International Fuel Gas Code. Several of these code change proposals were tracked closely by the Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC). A very brief summary of the outcome of these key hydrogen proposals is provided below. Full proposals are available on the ICC website at www.iccsafe.org.

The Report of the Public Hearing is expected later this month.

HIPOC is currently considering options with respect to public comment on these committee recommendations. The deadline for receipt of public comments is June 9, 2008. The Final Action Hearings will be held September 17-23 in Minneapolis, MN.

1. G28-07/08, Canopies used to shelter dispensing operations not as Group H. Approved as Modified. Clarified GH2.


2. F231-07/08, Clarify reference to Ch. 30, 32 and NFPA 55 Disapproved.


3. F232-07/08, Delete outdoor public assembly setback from T2209.3.1. Disapproved.


4. F233-07/08, Part I, Add reference to DIN EN 1081-2004 for ESD to IFC. As Submitted (8-6), IFC Secretariat analysis indicated EN 1081 was reviewed for compliance with ICC policy and accepted as compliant. F233-07/08, Part II, Add reference to DIN EN 1081-2004 for ESD to IBC. Disapproved, Part II rejected not on technical merit, rather based on 1) not having copies of the standard, 2) IFC secretariat's assessment of EN 1081 should have been coordinated and mentioned by the IBC-General Secretariat from the dais, and 3) a HIPOC representative was not present.


5. F234-07/08, Indoor fast-fill hydrogen fuel dispensing. Disapproved (8-6). Initial vote was for "As Submitted" but failed (6-8). Reasons given: Language "to the extent practical" is unenforceable, improve cross-references among sections, and terminology is confusing.


6. F235-07/08, Add reference to UL2075-2007, Standard for gas/vapor detection. Approved as Submitted.


7. F261-07/08, Definition of "bulk" hydrogen storage and NFPA 55. Disapproved.


8. F282-07/08, Clarify references for "bulk" flammable gas storage vs. H2 motor fuel-dispensing operations. Approved as Submitted.


9. F286-07/08, Add new "bulk" flammable gas storage and setback table. Withdrawn by Proponent.


10. FG49-07/08, Stationary FC PP's <10MW installed to manufacturer’s instructions, NFPA 853, and the IBC and IFC. Approved as Submitted


11. F287-07/08, Affecting Ch. 35 concerning weather protection for flammable gases. As written it captures any structure providing weather protection including the storage modules used for gaseous hydrogen associated with stationary hydrogen fuel cell power plants. It prohibits the use of 2 hour construction to reduce separation requirements. Language specifies weather protection "constructed in accordance with the code" which would preclude pre-fabricated storage modules commonly used. Approved as Submitted.


12. F78-07/08, Forbids structures, outdoor storage within a utility easement underneath high-voltage lines. Affecting telecommunications industry citing of FC PP’s as back-up power supplies. An exception could be added for telecommunications equipment, combustible storage and vehicles. Approved as Modified.