While the ICC Final Action Hearings for the 2007/08 Code Development Cycle continued through September 23rd, 2008, most of the actions affect hydrogen technology in the forthcoming 2009 editions of the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code (IBC) were resolved Friday morning, September 19th.

Marty Gresho, Fire Protection Programs for Sandia National Laboratory, Livermore, CA – and Chair of NFPA 2, and Patrick Serfass, Director of Technology and Communications for the National Hydrogen Association represented the Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC) on hydrogen issues from the hearing room floor September 16th - 19th, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"A big thanks to both of you for representing HIPOC and the Hydrogen Industry at the hearings this week,” said HIPOC Chair, Tom Joseph, who could not make the hearings due to other business challenges, but responded to the good news nonetheless.

There were thirteen (13) final actions identified by HIPOC as relevant to the hydrogen and fuel cell community:  Eleven (11) affecting the 2009 IFC, One (1) affecting the 2009 IBC and One (1) affecting the 2009 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC):

Affecting the ICC 2009 International Building Code (IBC):
G28-07/08, As Modified by Public Comment 1.  Adoption of the public comment assures that canopy top storage/use of hazardous materials (including hydrogen) is to be classified as outdoor storage/use and not as a Group H occupancy classification.

Affecting the ICC 2009 International Fire Code (IFC):
F78-07/08, As Modified by Public Comment 1. Adoption of the public comment allows the fuel for backup power supplies, inclusive of stationary fuel cell power plants, to be located on the utility easement. However, it would limit the fuel to only that necessary for equipment servicing public utilities as subject to the authority having jurisdiction.

F231-07/08, Disapproved by consent agenda (no public comment). An attempt to clarify reference in the IFC to Ch. 30, 32 and NFPA 55.

F232-07/08, Disapproved by consent agenda (no public comment).Delete outdoor public assembly setback from T2209.3.1. Disapproved. IFC CDC agreed that they couldn’t define separations to “public assembly,” yet.

F233-07/08, Part I, As Submitted by consent agenda (no public comment). Adds reference to DIN EN 1081-2004 standard for the construction of vehicle fueling pads to dissipate static electricity built up on the vehicle before the driver’s door is opened.

F233-07/08, Part II, As Submitted. Retains consistency between building and fire code requirements to dissipate static electricity built up on the vehicle before the driver’s door is opened by adding reference to the DIN EN 1081-2004 standard for the construction of vehicle fueling pads.

F234-07/08, Public comment Withdrawn by Proponent. Therefore, final action defaults to Disapproved by consent agenda (no public comment). Indoor hydrogen fuel dispensing. There is still need for clarification beyond what the International Fire Code Development Committee and HIPOC were able to undertake with modifications. This proposal will be revisited by the HIPOC for the 2009/10 Code Development Cycle.

F235-07/08, As Submitted by consent agenda (no public comment). Adds reference to UL2075-2007 Standard for gas/vapor detection as required for in lubrication or chassis repair areas of repair garages used for repairing hydrogen and non-odorized LNG-fueled vehicles.

F261-07/08, F261-07/08  Withdrawn by Proponent.  Intended to include the term “bulk” which was not included in the references to standards CGA P-18 and NFPA 55 which could be viewed as a potential conflict between the IFC, CGA and NFPA 55.

F282-07/08, F282-07/08  As Modified by Public Comment 1. Deletes Exception 4 accompanied by additional text to Section 3501.1, Scope, intending that the more specific requirements of Chapter 22 (Section 2209) apply along with relevant Chapter 35 requirements not addressed in Chapter 22. Adds language to Exception 3 which clarifies that Chapter 35 is to be applied to GH2 systems regulated by the IFGC.  Adoption of the public comment clarifies that NFPA 55 applies to “bulk” GH2 and LH2 systems.

F286-07/08, Withdrawn by Proponent. Had proposed modifications to existing Table 3504.2.1 to add new “bulk” flammable gas storage volumes and setbacks to address the perceived disparity in the Table 2209.3.1 exposures for hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generation and other GH2 systems covered by Chapter 35.

F287-07/08, As Submitted by consent agenda (no public comment). Affects weather protection for flammable gas storage. As written the code would capture any structure providing weather protection including the storage modules used stationary fuel cell power plants using hydrogen.  The 2009 IFC will clarify that the weather protection requirements do not include Note ‘a’ to Table 3504.2.1.

Affecting the ICC 2009 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC):
FG49-07/08, As Submitted by consent agenda (no public comment). Stationary fuel cell power plants not exceeding 10MW are to be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, NFPA 853, and the IBC and IFC.

The 2009/10 Code Development Cycle leading to the publication of the 2012 Editions of the ICC International Codes will commence with the March 24th, 2009 deadline for code change submittals. The 2009 Code Development Public Hearings will be held October 24–October 31, 2009 at the Hilton Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

The HIPOC holds regular, open conference calls intended to provide informal forums on topics intended to harmonize hydrogen technology requirements between the ICC, CHIC and NFPA. As a result, interested parties may request that the HIPOC vet or represent their issue as the proponent of such change. The next HIPOC meeting is an in-person meeting which will be dedicated to Hydrogen Fueling Station (HFS) separation distances in the ICC International Codes, and will take place October 29th and 30th ET in Phoenix, Arizona in conjunction with the 2008 Fuel Cell Seminar. For minutes, the HIPOC Charter, or more information, please visit the HIPOC web page: http://www.hydrogenandfuelcellsafety.info/hipoc/

For more information on International Code Development, visit:
http://www.iccsafe.org/news/pdf/factssheet.pdf

For more information on the 2007/08 and 2009/10 code development cycles, visit: http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/