Comparison of NFPA and ISO Approaches for Evaluating Separation Distances
Jeffrey LaChance, Sandia National Laboratories

The development of a set of safety codes and standards (C&Ss) for hydrogen facilities is necessary to ensure they are designed and operated safely. To help ensure that a hydrogen facility meets an acceptable level of risk, code and standard development organizations (SDOs) are utilizing risk-informed concepts in developing hydrogen codes and standards. Two SDOs, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have been developing standards for gaseous hydrogen facilities that specify the facilities have certain safety features, use equipment made of material suitable for a hydrogen environment, and have specified separation distances.

HIPOC Indoor Refueling Efforts
Aaron Harris, Chair of the HIPOC Subgroup

The Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC), a DOE sponsored codes and standards coordinating group, has formed a subgroup to develop code change proposals relating to indoor refueling of hydrogen powered industrial vehicles including fork lifts and “tugs”, HIPOC and the indoor fueling subgroup comprises members consisting of fire marshals, code officials, and representatives from industry. The overall goal of the subgroup is to provide clarity and consistency between the fire codes and NFPA 52 for installation of indoor hydrogen vehicle refueling stations. The subgroup’s short-term goals focus is on proposals for NFPA 52 due by May of 2011 and a longer term focus on the next cycle of ICC code changes and NFPA 55 as required. 

In 2008, members of HIPOC and the Hydrogen Technology Committee at the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) assembled detailed code change proposals to the ICC International Fire Code (IFC) for indoor hydrogen fueling. For a variety of reasons the Fire Code Committee voted not to accept those proposed changes to the IFC. 

More recently a subgroup of NFPA 2 Working Group 6 and researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have been funded to model the indoor hydrogen release scenario associated with an unlikely but potential thermal relief valve failure mode identified with fueling of hydrogen-powered vehicles. This work leverages previous work by Sandia in hydrogen releases in highway tunnels. Sandia will use a half-scale model of a warehouse to validate computational fluid models and validate the modeling used by CGA and NFPA to develop table 9.4.3.2.1 Minimum Room Volume Based on Maximum Fueling Event (kg). Sandia has developed a half scale model approach using input from industry OEMs. These simulations are planned for August 2010. The HIPOC subgroup will coordinate with the NFPA 2 subgroup as their work progresses and integrate results from Sandia’s modeling. 

To ensure that the efforts developed for the 2008 ICC proposals are not lost, the HIPOC subgroup will review the old ICC proposals along with comments from the IFC Committee which recommended their rejection. Based on that review, as well as the NFPA 2 subgroup’s results, the HIPOC subgroup will draft recommendations for the entire Panel’s consideration. Because of the order of approaching due dates, development of potential proposals for NFPA 52 will be the first priority, followed by proposals to ICC and NFPA 55 as appropriate. If HIPOC proposals are accepted by the NFPA- 52 technical committee the subgroup will submit proposals harmonize the language in the related ICC codes. 

The long-term goal of the HIPOC subgroup coordination of fire codes (NFPA and IFC) for safe, efficient and consistent installation of indoor refueling stations.

NFPA 2 Report on Comments Now Available
Geoff Bromaghim, National Hydrogen Association

The Report on Comments (ROC) for NFPA 2, the Hydrogen Technologies Code, was publicly posted on August 4, 2010.  Interested parties can review the document on the NFPA website athttp://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=2. 
The ROC details the committees’ action on all of the proposals received from the Report on Proposals (which for NFPA 2 was posted on December 28, 2009).

According to NFPA procedure, the ROC is made publicly available for a seven-week period in which stakeholders may file a Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM).  The NITMAM Closing Date is October 22, 2010, and NITMAM forms are available on the same webpage as the ROC. 

If any NITMAM’s are submitted and are certified by the Motions Committee of the Standards Council as a proper amending motion, then the proposed NFPA 2 document will be presented for action at the next Annual Association Technical Meeting (June 2011).  If no NITMAM’s are submitted and certified as proper amending motions by the closing date, then the proposed NFPA 2 document instead will be forwarded directly to the NFPA Standards Council for action on issuance.

The ROC is available directly through this link:http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/2/2-F2010-ROC.pdf

For more information on NFPA’s code and standards development process, click here.

International Association of Fire Chiefs Calls for Proactive Training
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is calling on emergency responders “to be proactive in preparing for the alternative energy sources that are becoming more prevalent and the challenges these sources pose for emergency responders”.  In the August 1 issue of On Scene, the IAFC recognizes a growing deployment of hydrogen vehicles and refueling stations, as well as other applications.

Entitled “Hydrogen Update: The Future Is Now–Be Proactive”, the article gives a good overview of the NFPA codes and standards that address hydrogen, notes there are other standards, regulations, rules and laws that have been created through OHSA, NFPA, the Society of Automobile Engineers, the Department of Transportation and various industries.

The article, written by A.K. Rosenhan, PE, FIFireE, CFO, can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.iafc.org/displayindustryarticle.cfm?articlenbr=43597. 

CSA Seeking Technical Experts to Work on the Development of Hydrogen Standards
Debbie Chesnik, CSA America

CSA is seeking technical experts to work on the development of hydrogen standards.

Technical Advisory Groups will meet to address technical issues and draft proposed standards text for industry review and comment and ultimately for approval as American National Standards. 

CSA America will lead development of the following new safety based and performance industry-consensus documents. The approved TAG/standards scope(s) are noted here (80kb PDF). 

  • CSA America HPIT 1 - Compressed Hydrogen Powered Industrial Truck On-board Fuel Storage and Handling Components

  • CSA America HPIT 2 - Compressed Hydrogen Station and Components for Fueling Powered Industrial Trucks

  • CSA America CHMC 1 - Test Method for Evaluating Material Compatibility for Compressed Hydrogen Applications

Please forward this message to other contacts who may have interest or the technical expertise in this line of work.

Please contact Julie Cairns with any questions or comments you may have regarding this activity by telephone 1-877-235-9791 ext. 8213, fax 1-877-539-7613 or email: julie.cairns@csa-america.org.

We would appreciate a response as quickly as possible regarding your participation on the groups noted. For information on becoming a member of CSA's hydrogen standards development committees, contact Michelle Williams (michelle.williams@csa-america.org) as soon as possible.

International Short Course and Advanced Research Workshops
Earlybird Discount - 10% before 17th September 2010

You are invited to attend the 9th International Short Course and Advanced Research Workshop in the popular series 'Progress in Hydrogen Safety', organised by the HySAFER Centre at the University of Ulster. This course will be delivered by keynote speakers who are experts in their field from: USA, Belgium, Germany and UK who will present on the state of the art developments in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The brochure, programme and registration form can be downloaded athttp://hysafer.ulster.ac.uk/phs/ and where you can also view future ISCARW 10 and 11.

The HySAFER centre at the University of Ulster focuses on the

  • What? 9th in the series 'Progress in Hydrogen Safety' - Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Early Market Applications

  • Where? University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Belfast, UK

  • When? 11 15th October 2010

  • What is the Cost? £950 GBP (£250 GBP for 1 days attendance)

  • How Long? 5 days

area of hydrogen safety and the phenomena associated with potential hydrogen accidents (leaks, explosions, fires etc.).

In addition to research, the centre is actively involved in the development of education programmes in hydrogen safety, including short courses. The research activities of HySAFER range from fundamental work to ground breaking applications and primarily include computer simulations, and consequence modelling, of potential accident scenarios.

Who should attend?
The International Short Course and advanced research workshop is ideally suited to those who wish to meet the growing demand for specialists in Hydrogen Safety Engineering i.e. industries and services such as aerospace, process industry, energy industry, civil works, transport and distribution, fire and rescue services, regulatory authorities, teaching and research institutes, various industrialist co operations, consultancies etc. The course is aimed at researchers, professionals, industrialists and those who have an interest in working with hydrogen in this new and rapid advancing field. The course presents the opportunity to network with the best in the industry.

Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma and Masters in Hydrogen Engineering
The teaching materials from the International short course series 'Progress in Hydrogen Safety' are used in World's First Higher Educational Programme in Hydrogen Safety the PgCert/PgDip/MSc in Hydrogen Safety engineering offered by the University of Ulster. Those attending the International Short Course and advanced research workshop and who are also registered with the PgCert/PgDip/MSc in Hydrogen Safety Engineering will obtain 20 CATS Points for Module Progress in Hydrogen Safety leading to the degree PgDip/MSc in Hydrogen Safety Engineering. 

Accommodation
The University may have availability for this period booking can be made athttp://www.accommodation.ulster.ac.uk/OnlineForms/casualapp.pdf

We look forward to seeing you here in Belfast! 

Joan Casey, Business Manager
University of Ulster
Hydrogen Safety Engineering and Research Centre (HySAFER Centre)
p: 02890 366407
e: j.casey@ulster.ac.uk 

Introduction to Hydrogen for Code Officials Course Offered by U.S. Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy is offering an online training course on hydrogen for code officials. The course, Introduction to Hydrogen for Code Officials, provides information that code officials need to understand hydrogen and fuel cell technology basics, applications for these technologies, and applicable codes and standards. 

Four modules are included in the course:

  1. Hydrogen and fuel cell technology basics
  2. Hydrogen and fuel cell applications
  3. Hydrogen fueling stations
  4. Fuel cell facilities

The course also features supplementary resources, such as a library section that includes publications, related links, and a glossary of terms.

NextEnergy Hosts Hydrogen Codes & Standards Conference
Kelly Jezierski, NextEnergy

NextEnergy cordially invites you to our 2010 Hydrogen Codes & Standards Conference on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. This is NextEnergy's 5th annual event - and sure to be our best! 

This year's focus will be on International Hydrogen Codes & Standards. In addition to technical presentations, this will be an excellent opportunity to network with other professionals in this field.

Register by August 20th and save 33%! Plus, save an additional 10%

  • What? Hydrogen Codes & Standards Conference

  • Where? NextEnergy Center, Detroit, MI [map]

  • When? September 21, 2010

  • What is the Cost? $75 (early bird discount is $50)

discount for 2 personnel and 20% for 3 or more personnel from any one company! The regular registration fee is $75.00 and the early bird discount is $50.00.