ISO/TC 197 is Updating "Basic Considerations for the Safety of Hydrogen Systems"
Karen Hall, Technology Transition Corporation

ISO/TR 15916, Basic Considerations for the Safety of Hydrogen Systems, was published as a Technical Report in 2004. This document describes the hazards associated with the use and presence of hydrogen, discusses the properties of hydrogen relevant to safety, and provides a general discussion of approaches taken to mitigate hydrogen hazards. It is a general report which was developed to aid the development of subsequent ISO/TC 197 documents as they relate to hydrogen safety and to promote the acceptance of hydrogen technologies by providing key information to stakeholders on hydrogen safety issues.

In 2010 ISO/TC 197 members voted to start a new work item to update this Technical Report. Work is expected to be completed within 24 months, with an anticipated publication date in November 2012.

There are still opportunities to join the working group through your national Technical Advisory Group or Mirror Committee. Most of the work is expected to be done by e-mail, although opportunities to meet in person in conjunction with the ISO/TC 197 Plenary and other highly-relevant events may be pursued. 

There are presently some areas under discussion where help from other experts would be useful. These are areas where there may be some differences between hydrogen and other flammable gases or liquids that may require clearer explanation or definitions. Here are some examples:

  • Auto-ignition versus diffusion-ignition

  • Flammability limits versus explosive limits

  • Explosive limits versus detonation limits

  • Detonation versus deflagration

These are all areas where there has been much discussion since 2004 when the Technical Report was published. It is desirable to capture the results of these discussions in the updating of this ISO Technical Report. 

In addition, there has been significant progress on hydrogen energy technologies since publication of this Technical Report. If there are subjects that you would like to see covered in more detail in the revision, please get involved or at least send me an e-mail to let me know your thoughts.

If you are able to help enhance these discussions, I would very much like to hear from you. Please send an e-mail to khall@ttcorp.com so we can discuss how we can best include your expertise in the discussions. 

Brief Report on Safety, Codes and Standards Activities from the Recent Conference
Karen Hall, Technology Transition Corporation

Here is a brief report of the safety, codes and standards activities from the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy 2011 Conference, held February 13-16 in the Washington, DC area. This conference was formerly known as the NHA Hydrogen Conference and Expo. 

There were two formal technical sessions dedicated to safety, codes and standards. You may view the presentation abstract by clicking the link for each presentation.

Parallel Session 1 - Codes & Standards 1
Moderator: Jay Keller, Sandia National Laboratories

The Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC) met on February 17th and 18th at the new facilities of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA). Key topics were indoor fueling requirements for industrial trucks, coordination of NFPA 52 code change proposals in light of the possible change of scope (see related article), and developing a strategy for making code change proposals to the I-Codes to harmonize requirements for hydrogen throughout the US model codes. Minutes will be posted once they are available. For more information on HIPOC, please visit www.hydrogenandfuelcellsafety.info/hipoc.

Upcoming Structural Changes in the US Model Code Development Processes
Karen Hall, Technology Transition Corporation

There are a few changes in the works that will impact the timing for code change proposals and committee structure.

NFPA
Earlier this month, the NFPA Committee responsible for maintaining NFPA 52 voted in favor of sending a letter to the NFPA Standards Council requesting a change in scope to remove all hydrogen requirements from NFPA 52 and have the Technical Committee responsible for NFPA 2 take responsibility for hydrogen. If the Standards Council ratifies this, code change proposals submitted on hydrogen for NFPA 52 will most likely be passed on to the NFPA 2 Technical Committee. 

Hydrogen/CNG blends were not included in this scope change request. Therefore it is anticipated the new chapter being developed in NFPA 52 on hydrogen/CNG blends would remain in NFPA 52. This chapter is expected to refer to requirements for hydrogen. 

ICC
The ICC is doing three things to restructure and provide for broader participation in the code development process:

  • Establishment of a new “Codes and Standards Council,” composed of 20 individuals across several disciplines to advise the ICC Board regarding applications for code-related committees, suggest new projects, and review procedures and performance regarding Code Development Committees;

  • Establishment of new discipline-specific “Membership Councils”—including Governing Committees and Charters for each Council assigned by the ICC Board of Directors—which will serve as a forum for information exchange and communication, as a feedback loop with the Board and staff, and as a voice for the discipline regarding the activities and programs of the Code Council;

  • Code Action Committees have been expanded to be discipline-specific bodies to act as a forum for complex technical issues ahead of the Code Development Process, identify emerging issues or draft proposed code changes of importance to ICC Members.

A call for applications for the Codes and Standards Council and various Membership Council Governing Committees is posted on the ICC website at http://www.iccsafe.org/cc/Pages/default.aspx.

There are currently 15 Code Committees; responsible for the review and evaluation of code change proposals submitted to the 13 International Codes. The 2015 code change cycle will open up this year. All technical committees will be filled for the next cycle. Successful applicants will all be starting new terms, including current committee members. 

Technical Code Development Committee members are charged with reviewing code changes within their area of responsibility (Energy/Fire/Structural/etc.). Each Committee meets once during the Code Hearings and acts on the code change proposals in the committee’s area of responsibility. The Councils are involved with governance and oversight. They make recommendations on who fills the Technical Code Development Committees. 

ICC Timeline

  • February 2011: Call for Committee posted for the Codes and Standards Council and Membership Council Governing Committees; all current council members must reapply for either entity

  • May 2011: Board of Directors appoints the Codes and Standards Council and Membership Council Governing Committees, begins chartering additional Membership Councils

  • June 2011: Application deadline for 2012 and 2013 Code Development Committees

  • July 2011: Membership Councils develop their respective work plans

  • August 2011: Codes and Standards Council reviews Code Development Committee applications and provides recommendations to Board

  • Fall 2011: Board appoints 2012/2013 Code Development Committees

  • January 3, 2012: Group A code change deadline—International Building Code, and Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes

Invitation to Participate in PATH Roundtables on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Standards, Commercial Roll-Out Options and Academic Partnerships
Brian Schorr, PATH Program Manager

The Partnership for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen (PATH) is rescheduling the Roundtable Workshop On Market Introductions For Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Technologies until Sunday, 15 May 2011 from 1-3 pm (local Pacific Time) in conjunction with Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2011 (www.HFC2011.com), Vancouver, BC, Canada. It was originally scheduled for this this Sunday, 13 February.

Join us as we explore challenges to market introduction through a dynamic set of discussions during this interactive two-hour session. The Roundtable precedes a special Conference session on Canadian Research Networks, so as you make your travel arrangements to Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2011, plan to arrive early.

Roundtable Format
The session will begin with introductory remarks from PATH Chairman Terry Kimmel, followed by a breakout session of three Roundtable discussions with moderators and recorders to facilitate those discussions. The session will conclude as the group reconvenes to summarize the discussions, report on results, present concluding remarks, and set goals for follow up action items. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided.

The following discussion topics are offered:

  • Roundtable I: "International Standards and Regulations for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells" – An interactive discussion designed to identify international Codes & Standards needs from the individual country perspective, prioritize those needs, and outline a plan for achieving them.

  • Roundtable II: "Vehicle Roll Out Options" – Harmonizing plans across borders to introduce vehicles and infrastructure into the global marketplace.

  • Roundtable III: "Academic Partnerships" – Identifying university curriculums and seeking international exchange programs for students and professors, as well as establishing opportunities for other transnational curriculum development.

  • Alternate Roundtable III (or Roundtable IV): "PATH Annual Report on World Progress in Hydrogen" – With the development of an annual comprehensive assessment of the hydrogen and fuel cell economy, a roundtable discussion will explore key topics that are necessary to complete publication. This Report will be the reference on what is happening in each country, from research programs and funding, to data on hydrogen vehicles, material handling, remote power and other markets.

This PATH Event is open to the public but space is limited.Registration is required and forms are available on PATH's website (www.HPATH.org). International participation is strongly encouraged to ensure robust input to shape the Roundtable conclusions!Brian Schorr, PATH Program Manager

The Partnership for Advancing the Transition to Hydrogen (PATH) is rescheduling the Roundtable Workshop On Market Introductions For Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Technologies until Sunday, 15 May 2011 from 1-3 pm (local Pacific Time) in conjunction with Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2011 (www.HFC2011.com), Vancouver, BC, Canada. It was originally scheduled for this this Sunday, 13 February.

Join us as we explore challenges to market introduction through a dynamic set of discussions during this interactive two-hour session. The Roundtable precedes a special Conference session on Canadian Research Networks, so as you make your travel arrangements to Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2011, plan to arrive early.

Roundtable Format
The session will begin with introductory remarks from PATH Chairman Terry Kimmel, followed by a breakout session of three Roundtable discussions with moderators and recorders to facilitate those discussions. The session will conclude as the group reconvenes to summarize the discussions, report on results, present concluding remarks, and set goals for follow up action items. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided.

The following discussion topics are offered:

  • Roundtable I: "International Standards and Regulations for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells" – An interactive discussion designed to identify international Codes & Standards needs from the individual country perspective, prioritize those needs, and outline a plan for achieving them.

  • Roundtable II: "Vehicle Roll Out Options" – Harmonizing plans across borders to introduce vehicles and infrastructure into the global marketplace.

  • Roundtable III: "Academic Partnerships" – Identifying university curriculums and seeking international exchange programs for students and professors, as well as establishing opportunities for other transnational curriculum development.

  • Alternate Roundtable III (or Roundtable IV): "PATH Annual Report on World Progress in Hydrogen" – With the development of an annual comprehensive assessment of the hydrogen and fuel cell economy, a roundtable discussion will explore key topics that are necessary to complete publication. This Report will be the reference on what is happening in each country, from research programs and funding, to data on hydrogen vehicles, material handling, remote power and other markets.

This PATH Event is open to the public but space is limited.Registration is required and forms are available on PATH's website (www.HPATH.org). International participation is strongly encouraged to ensure robust input to shape the Roundtable conclusions!