National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Codes & Standards Coordinating Committee Teleconference - May 2006 Minutes
Russell Hewett, NREL

MEETING DATE: May 3, 2006
TIME: 3:00 - 4:30 PM (EDT)

1.0 PARTICIPANTS
Russ Hewett welcomed participants and did the roll call. The list of meeting participants is provided in Attachment A.


2.0 REVIEW OF ANTI-TRUST POLICY
USFCC members are reminded to review the USFCC Anti-Trust Guidelines:

Antitrust Guidelines (27Kb PDF)

3.0 CORRECTIONS TO MINUTES OF APRIL'S TELECONFERENCE MEETING
No Corrections to the Minutes of April's meeting were offered as part of May's meeting. However, Russ did receive some minor corrections via Email that he incorporated. The Minutes were then forwarded to NHA for posting on the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Report website.

4.0 OPPORTUNITY FOR DOE/HQ SUBPROGRAM MANAGER TO
REPORT ON WHAT'S GOING ON AT DOE/HQ
Pat Davis (Subprogram Manager, Hydrogen Safety and Codes & Standards Subprogram) was unavailable to participate in the meeting. In his absence, Antonio Ruiz reported on activities at DOE/HQ.

The DOE Hydrogen Program 2006 Merit Review will be held May 16 - 21 in Arlington, VA at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Antonio asked that anyone who wanted to attend register early. Over 80% of the available space is already taken. The Safety, Codes and Standards Session will take place Friday, May 19th. Information regarding the Merit Review can be found on the DOE Hydrogen Program's website: http://hydrogen.energy.gov

Antonio and Jim Ohi reported that the Hydrogen Safety Bibliographic Database (developed by Jim Ohi) is up and operating on the DOE Hydrogen Program website. There are 200+ items in it on hydrogen safety. In addition to bibliographic references, the database provides select full text documents or links to other Web sites that offer these documents. Jim mentioned that the site also includes the capability for users to make recommendations regarding new materials that they would like to see incorporated into the database. Jim also mentioned that the hydrogen safety presentations given at the First International Conference on Hydrogen Safety (held in Pisa, Italy in September 2005) are available via the database.

During the discussion, it was mentioned that the National Templates are not posted on the various websites. The action item is to make them available on the DOE and/or NHA websites (especially the website for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Report).

Antonio also reported that DOE is developing a database documenting hydrogen accidents, incidents and lessons learned. It is expected to be online the week before the Merit Review.

Antonio and Russ Hewett reported that, as a result of the "Codes and Standards for the Hydrogen Economy" RFP issued by the DOE/Golden Field Office, several proposals were received and are being evaluated by a merit review panel. Currently, the members of the panel are evaluating the proposals independently. On June 1 and 2, they will meet to review the proposals collectively and establish the competitive range and make their recommendations to the Source Selection Official. The winner is expected to be selected in June. Plans call for the contract to be in place at the beginning of FY07.

5.0 PLANNED FOLLOW-ON DISCUSSION REGARDING THE
NATIONAL TEMPLATES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CODES AND STANDARDS
One of the major items of discussion at the March In-Person meeting was whether or not modifications should be made to the two national templates:

• Template relating to transportation applications and the fueling infrastructure
  
  
• Template relating to portable and stationary applications.

An action item from the March In-Person meeting was to have follow-on discussion at the April teleconference meeting - to be led by Jim Ohi. Unfortunately, since Jim was participating in meetings at DOE/HQ during the time of April's teleconference meeting, the follow-up discussion was not happen and was postponed for May's meeting.

The templates, with changes agreed to at the March meeting and subsequent recommendations, were disseminated to everyone in advance of May's meeting.

National C&S Templates (133Kb PDF)

When Jim reported on the changes to the templates made as a result of reviewing them at the March meeting, there was a misunderstanding regarding what was agreed to regarding the Vehicles section in the National Template for Vehicle Systems and Refueling Facilities.

• In the case of "Fuel Cell Vehicle Systems," it was thought that the consensus was for SAE to be the lead SDO
  
  
• In the case of "Fuel System Components," it was thought that the consensus was for CSA America to be the lead SDO.

It appeared that the confusion centered around hydrogen containers - containers being not only components and containers but also being a part of the system.

After much discussion, it was agreed to address the issue off-line. NREL will convene a teleconference meeting involving CSA America and SAE to come to an agreement regarding "leads". The intent is to do this prior to the next meeting of the Committee.

With respect to the National Template for Stationary and Portable Systems, two new standards development categories were added:

• Fuel Cell Systems (CSA America being the lead SDO)
  
  
• Fuel Cell Installation (NFPA being the lead SDO)

6.0 REPORT ON HYDROGEN INDUSTRY PANEL ON CODES
(HIPOC) ACTIVITIES
Patrick Serfass reported on Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC) activities. Since its inception, HIPOC has convened six teleconference meetings - its chairman being Tom Joseph (Air Products).

HIPOC's recent focus has been on developing code change proposals to ICC documents that will be offered as part of the ICC 2006/2007 Code Development Cycle. The deadline for receipt of proposals was March 24th. HIPOC is offering three code changes:

1. Proposal for International Fire Code (IFC) relating to indoor fast-filling of hydrogen (98Kb PDF)
   
   
2. Proposal for IFC relating to the consistency of PRD activation pressure (63Kb PDF)
   
   
3. Proposal for IFC relating to fueling pad resistivity (63b PDF)

In the interim, the HIPOC members are preparing for presenting the proposals at the initial ICC Code Development Hearings that will take place in Lake Buena Vista, FL during the period September 20 - 30, 2006.

HIPOC is also reviewing ICC and NFPA documents to identify requirements where there are differences, as part of efforts to facilitate harmonization.

And finally, HIPOC is reviewing the new Canadian draft code Hydrogen Installation Code (BNQ Draft 1784-000-5) developed by the Canadian Bureau de Normalization de Quebec.

Canadian Draft Code (836Kb PDF)

7.0 REPORT ON IEC/TC105 ACTIVITIES AND DOCUMENTS IN
THE "COMMENTS" STAGE
Kelvin Hecht reported on IEC/TC105 activities.

IEC/TC105 Report (74Kb PDF)

In addition, Kelvin reported that Working Group 1 (WG1) (Terminology) has gotten started on working to change the current document that gives definitions of terminology in the IEC series of documents into a general fuel cell terminology glossary.

WG3 (Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems - Safety) and WG8 (Fuel Cell Technologies: Micro Fuel Cell Power Systems - Safety) are working on responding to the comments that they received regarding their documents in the "Comments" stage.

8.0 REPORT ON ISO/TC197 ACTIVITIES AND DOCUMENTS IN
THE "COMMENTS" STAGE
Bob Mauro and Debbie Angerman reported on ISO/TC197 activities and documents in the "Comments" stage.

ISO/TC197 Report (80Kb PDF)

The US TAG will be meeting on May 24th to prepare for the ISO/TC197 plenary meeting. The meeting is scheduled for June 8th in the Paris suburb of St. Denis at AFNOR Headquarters. The initial draft agenda has been sent out.

ISO 17268 (Gaseous hydrogen - Land Vehicle Connectors) has been published and is available from CGA.

9.0 OPPORTUNITY FOR CDOS AND SDOS TO REPORT ON
THEIR ACTIVITIES
Laurie Florence reported that Underwriters Laboratories has published UL2267(Standard For Fuel Cell Power Systems for Installation in Industrial Electric Trucks).

The scope of the standard is as follows:

The requirements cover fuel cell power systems intended to be installed in type E, EE, ES and EX industrial trucks used in locations as defined in the Fire Safety Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks including Type Designations, Areas of Use, Conversions, Maintenance and Operations NFPA 505, and the National Electrical Code NFPA 70. The fuel cell power systems are intended to be connected to or integrated with industrial trucks to supply electrical power. These requirements anticipate the use of designs that are fueled by various fuels including hydrogen gas.

(Quoted from UL2267)

There were no other reports.

10.0 UPDATE ON ISO/TC197 WG12 ACTIVITIES
Jim Ohi gave an update on the activities of WG12 (Hydrogen Fuel-Product Specification). Jim reported that the WG submitted the final draft of Technical Specification DTS14687-2 to TC197 and expects that it will be out for vote soon.

Draft Technical Specification (225Kb PDF)

The original Technical Specification ISO 14687:1999 includes hydrogen fuel specifications for PEM fuel cells that is to be removed - hydrogen quality requirements for PEM fuel cells for vehicles being specified in the new TS. Consequently, a Corrigendum to ISO 14687:1999 has been generated to remove the hydrogen fuel quality requirements for PEM fuel cells.

The new technical specification and the Corrigendum will be voted on at the same time.

The next meeting of WG12 will be held in conjunction with the ISO plenary meeting scheduled for June 8th in the Paris suburb of St. Denis at AFNOR Headquarters. The purpose of that meeting will be to make additional progress in developing the R&D and testing programs. Expected participants, in addition to the United States, are Japan and the European Community.

The R&D and testing will focus on the six most critical constituents that are the technical and economic drivers for PEM fuel cells for vehicles:

• Carbon monoxide
• Ammonia
• Helium
• Methane
• Sulfur
• Particulates

At the next meeting, WG12 expects the participation of industry to help: (1) "nail down" the detailed R&D plan; (2) narrow down testing requirements and the sequencing of the testing to be done; and (3) narrow down the instrumentation requirements.

11.0 REPORT ON NEW PLANNED USDOT ACTIVITY: "Ad Hoc
Committee on A Regulatory Framework for A Hydrogen
Economy"
Bill Chernicoff gave a summary report on the new Ad Hoc Committee on a Regulatory Framework for a Hydrogen Economy.

The Committee is chaired by the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), and includes representatives from DOT, Occupational Safety and Health Administration/U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of State.

It is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework that addresses issues of safety, economic utility, and environmental soundness through the identification of existing regulatory and statutory authorities, status of those regulations, any gaps in those authorities, and the lead agency (or instances in which shared authorities exist). The committee promotes consistency within the regulations and comprehensive communications about regulatory oversight among government, industry, and academia on existing and planned activities related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

Bill stated that the work of the Committee involves: (i) identifying existing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations relating to hydrogen and fuel cells for transportation and stationary applications and determining whether or not they should be modified; and (ii) determining if there are requirements for new regulations.

Information about the Committee can be found at the following web site:

http://hydrogen.gov/ad_hoc.html

and is also accessible from

http://hydrogen.gov/news.html

12.0 REVISITING AN OLD ITEM: MISSION STATEMENT FOR
THE NATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Shortly after the National Coordinating Committee was established by merging the activities of the DOE Hydrogen Codes and Standards Coordinating Committee, the USFCC Codes and Standards Working Group and the NHA Codes and Standards Committee, efforts were devoted to developing a Mission Statement for the new entity.

Two versions of mission statements were developed and discussed: (i) one based on the mission statement of the DOE Hydrogen Codes & Standards Coordinating Committee; and (ii) one developed by Susan Townsend, chairperson of the NHA Codes and Standards Committee. The consensus was that the version developed by Susan Townsend was preferred. The action item then was for Susan Townsend to develop a final draft, using the feedback provided by Committee members. Unfortunately, Susan transitioned to other activities at her employer (General Electric) and developing the final draft of the Mission Statement was not completed.

At the May meeting, there was a consensus that the Coordinating Committee should have a Mission Statement and that efforts should be revived to formulating a final version from the working draft. Karen Hall volunteered to lead the activity and Committee members were invited to participate.

Draft developed by Susan Townsend (67Kb PDF)

The action item is for Karen (and those working with her) to develop a final version of the Mission Statement before the Coordinating Committee's June teleconference meeting. Russ Hewett had the action item to send to Karen the comments and suggested modifications he had received from Committee members when they reviewed the draft.

13.0 DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBILITIES FOR NEXT
IN-PERSON MEETING
Given that the last In-Person meeting was on March 15th, the objective was to identify the ideal timeframe for the next In-Person meeting and where it might be held.

While the "tradition" has been to try to have an In-Person meeting once each calendar quarter (in conjunction with an event that members were likely to be at anyways), there was the sentiment that, maybe, having such meetings semi-annually is "just about right".

Consequently, there was no more discussion regarding having such a meeting in June or July.

14.0 NEXT TELECONFERENCE MEETING
The next meeting of the Coordinating Committee will be a teleconference meeting as follows:

o DATE: June 14th (Second Wednesday)
o TIME: 3:00 - 4:30 pm EDT
2:00 - 3:30 pm CDT
1:00 - 2:30 pm MDT
Noon - 1:30 pm PDT
o CALL-IN NUMBER: (641) 793-7000
- PASS CODE: 824011#

Normally, meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month. However, the consensus was to re-schedule the meeting to the second Wednesday, since the NFPA will be conducting its 2006 World Safety Conference & Exposition during the period June 4 - 8 in Orlando, FL. The Conference also includes meetings of the NFPA codes and standards technical committees to act on proposed changes.

The planned agenda will be disseminated prior to the meeting. If there's an item you'd like to have on the agenda, please contact any one of the following:

• Karen Hall (NHA) (202) 223-5547
• Robert Wichert (USFCC) (916) 966-9060
• Sondra Ullman (Plug Power) (518) 782-7700 X1469
• Russ Hewett (NREL) (303) 384-7463

Respectfully Submitted,

Russ Hewett

ATTACHMENT A
National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Codes and Standards Coordinating Committee: Members that Participated in the May 2006 Meeting

GUEST PARTICIPANTS

1. Ron Coiner - CSA America
2. Steve Kazubski - CSA America