IEC/TC 105 Working Group 8 Update
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

California Moves Ahead with Measurement Standards and Permitting Streamlining
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

SAE Activities to Note
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

NFPA 2 Cycle Change
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist FCHEA

Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Focus Group
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist FCHEA

Important Update on Upcoming ISO/TC 197 Meetings
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Codes & Standards Coordinating Committee Teleconference - September 2013 Minutes (PDF)
Connor Dolan, External Affairs Manager, FCHEA

National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Codes & Standards Coordinating Committee Teleconference - October 2013 Minutes (PDF)
Connor Dolan, External Affairs Manager, FCHEA

IEC/TC 105 Working Group 8 Update
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

In July 2013, we reported that IEC/TC 105 Working Group 8, which is responsible for developing a new International Standard (IEC 62282-6-101: Micro Fuel Cell Power Systems Safety - General Requirements), was ready for proposals from manufacturers to address technology-specific issues. We are happy to report that several proposals were received, and work is progressing.

A separate supplement (Part 2) is needed for each fuel cell technology. When combined with the General Requirements document (Part 1) which is common to all micro fuel cell systems, the Part 2 document for each micro fuel cell technology will provide the full set of requirements necessary for that technology.

Working Group 8 met on November 5&6 in conjunction with the Technical Committee's annual Plenary meeting in Frankfurt, Germany. The Working Group reviewed these proposed "Part 2", technology-specific documents:

  • Fuel cell technologies - Part 6-106: Micro fuel cell power systems - Safety - Indirect Class 8 (corrosive) compounds;
  • Fuel cell technologies - Part 6-107: Micro fuel cell power systems - Safety - Indirect water-reactive (Division 4.3) compounds; and
  • Fuel cell technologies - Part 6-109: Micro fuel cell power systems - Safety - Butane, solid oxide fuel cells.

WG 8 Convenor Harry Jones (USA) has noted that the following technologies covered in 62282-6-100 no longer have representative technical experts on WG8 that would address anticipated topics:

  • Annex A, Formic acid micro fuel cell power systems - Safety (62282-6-102)
  • Annex C, Reformed methanol micro fuel cell power systems (62282-6-104)
  • Annex G, Borohydride micro fuel cell power systems: Class 8 (corrosive) compounds in direct borohydride fuel cells (62282-6-108)

Lack of expertise may result in termination of effort to prepare technology-specific requirements for these topics. A request is being made to member countries for representative experts in these technologies. 

If you are interested in additional information on the activities of IEC/TC 105 WG 8, or would like to be considered as a national representative expert, please contact Steve Tucky, the WG 8 Secretary, at steve.tucky@csagroup.org. 

California Moves Ahead with Measurement Standards and Permitting Streamlining
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) proposes to amend the California Code of Regulations (CCR) sections pertaining to hydrogen gas-measuring devices. Proposed amendments include additional classes that increase the allowable accuracy limits (tolerances) found in the CCR.

The Department will accept written comments on these proposed regulations until 5 pm January 6, 2014. The Notice, Proposed Text, and Initial Statement of Reasons and instructions on how to submit comments are available on the California Division of Measurement Standards website at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/dms/regulations.html.

In other news, the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) recently announced an initiative to streamline permitting of new hydrogen and electric fueling stations. The State of California is partnering with Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai and Other Auto Manufacturers for a 2015 Roll Out.

The complete Press Release can be found here:http://business.ca.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ykJz9zSBICc%3d&tabid=40&mid=626

SAE Activities to Note
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

SAE J2572: Recommended Practice for Measuring Fuel Consumption and Range of Fuel Cell and Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicles Fuelled by Compressed Gaseous Hydrogen, is being revised to incorporate changes reflecting progress both the fuel cell and automotive industries have made in the extending the range and improving the fuel consumption of their latest generation of compressed hydrogen gas fueled light duty vehicles. The revised document will reflect advances in measurement techniques along with information gained through research and development testing of hydrogen systems since the initial publication of this document.

The SAE J2601 series of documents also has progress to report. J2601-3, Fueling Protocol for Gaseous Hydrogen Powered Industrial Trucks, was published as a Technical Information Report (TIR), issued in June 2013. For additional information, including ordering details, please visithttp://standards.sae.org/j2601/3_201306/.

NFPA 2 Cycle Change
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

Due to proposals to develop a resolution regarding scope and content for hydrogen between NFPA 2 and NFPA 55, NFPA 2 has moved cycle from F2014 to A2015 to align it with NFPA 55. NFPA 55 will coordinate its hydrogen content with NFPA 2.

As part of the proposed approach, the upcoming ballot date for NFPA 2 will be delayed to allow the First Revisions on NFPA 55 from the recent First Draft Meeting to be incorporated into the NFPA 2 ballot. The NFPA 2 Technical Committee held a Supplemental First Draft Web Meeting after the NFPA 55 First Draft Meeting.

The NFPA 2 ballot is expected to be available to Technical Committee members by late December. The ballot deadline for both documents is January 31, 2014. The First Draft Report is expected to be posted by March 7, 2014. Public comment is due April 11, 2014 (paper comments) and electronic comments are due by May 16, 2014.

The joint Second Draft Meeting for both NFPA 2 and NFPA 55 documents will be held the week of July 14th at NREL in Golden, Colorado. The first three days will address NFPA 55 public comment. The last three days NFPA 2 public comment. The hydrogen related public comment will be considered on middle day.

There were 395 First Revisions for NFPA 2. Stakeholders are encouraged to plan time for review of the First Draft Report in March 2014.

Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Focus Group
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has initiated a Focus Group on Fuel Cell Standards for Wireless and Other Critical ICT Infrastructure. The TIA is conducting web-based meetings of interested stakeholders to address the needs for guidance to facilitate deployment of fuel cells for wireless and other critical ICT infrastructure. Fil Cosentino, Vice President, Technology, VP Energy serves as Interim Chair.

Agenda items include review of existing requirements, such as NFPA 853, NFPA 55, NFPA 497, and others; as well as industry best practice documents and existing permitting guides. There is also discussion of producing a video on fuel cell applications for the ICT industry. Among other things, such a video may provide clarity on the technologies and existing code requirements. 

FCHEA members who would like further information on this focus group, or who would like to be invited to future meetings, are encouraged to contact me at khall@fchea.org.

Important Update on Upcoming ISO/TC 197 Meetings
by Karen Hall, Senior Technical Specialist, FCHEA

ISO/TC 197 will be holding a Plenary Meeting on December 5-6 in Paris, France. Several Working Groups (WGs) are also scheduled to meet. Some will be advancing their work, while others will be holding initial meetings for new activities.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no meeting in Paris for WG 21 Compressors, WG 22 Hoses and WG 23 Fittings. Kick-off meetings for these new work items will be held at a later date, to be determined.

Below is a table of all TC 197 WGs, including all of the new ones created over the past few months.

WG#Work ActivityNext Meeting

WG 5Gaseous Hydrogen Land Vehicle Refuelling Connection DevicesOn Plenary Agenda for disbandment due to completion of work

WG 8Hydrogen Generators using Water Electrolysis ProcessOn Plenary Agenda for disbandment due to completion of work

WG 9Hydrogen Generators using Fuel Processing TechnologiesOn Plenary Agenda for disbandment due to completion of work

WG 10Transportable Gas Storage Devices - Hydrogen Absorbed in Reversible Metal HydrideOn Plenary Agenda for disbandment due to completion of work

WG 12Hydrogen Fuel - Product Specification - PEM Fuel Cell Applications for Road VehiclesOn Plenary Agenda for disbandment due to completion of work

WG 13Hydrogen Detection Apparatus - Stationary ApplicationsOn Plenary Agenda for disbandment due to completion of work

WG 14Hydrogen Fuel - Product Specification - Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Applications for Stationary AppliancesOn Plenary Agenda for disbandment due to completion of work

WG 15Gaseous Hydrogen - Cylinders and Tubes for Stationary StorageNext Meeting Monday December 2 in Paris

WG 16Basic Considerations for the Safety of Hydrogen SystemsNext Meeting Tuesday December 3 in Paris

WG 17Pressure Swing Adsorption System for Hydrogen Separation and PurificationNext Meeting Tuesday December 3 in Paris

WG 18Gaseous Hydrogen Land Vehicle Fuel Tanks and TPRDsKick-off Meeting Wednesday December 4 in Paris

WG 19Gaseous Hydrogen Fueling Station DispensersKick-off Meeting Monday December 2 in Paris

WG 20Gaseous Hydrogen Fueling Station ValvesKick-off Meeting Monday December 2 in Paris

WG 21Gaseous Hydrogen Fueling Station CompressorsNew Work Item - Launch Meeting TBD

WG 22Gaseous Hydrogen Fueling Station HosesNew Work Item - Launch Meeting TBD

WG 23Gaseous Hydrogen Fueling Station FittingsNew Work Item - Launch Meeting TBD

WG 24Gaseous Hydrogen Fueling Stations - General RequirementsKick-off Meeting Wednesday December 4 in Paris

Anyone wishing to attend the meetings in Paris must be registered through the ISO/TC 197 member country. In the United States, this is done though CGA, who administers the US Technical Advisory Group for ISO/TC 197.