I-Code Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Proposals: Update #1
Patrick Serfass and Darren Meyers, Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC)

Informal Report on ISO TC 197 Plenary Meeting
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

Alternative Fuel Technologies: A Crash Course (1,622Kb PDF)
Andrea Betts Menendez

Compilation of Hydrogen Safety Training Programs
Antonio Ruiz (DOE) and Patrick Serfass (NHA)

Hydrogen-Specific Detectors Update
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

Call for Hydrogen Vehicle Safety Papers for the 2007 SAE Congress
R. Rhoads (Rody) Stephenson, SAE Fire Safety Committee

Brief Update on ISO TC 11: Boilers and Pressure Vessels
John J. Koehr, ASME and Chair of the US TAG for ISO TC 11

Introducing a New Series of Articles
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

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

I-Code Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Proposals: Update #1
Patrick Serfass and Darren Meyers, Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC)

The monograph and hearing schedule for the Public Hearings of the 2006/2007 cycle of the ICC Family of codes is now available online. The monograph includes all of the code changes that will be reviewed at the Public Hearings, September 20-October 1, 2006 in Lake Buena Vista, FL at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. The code hearing schedule provides an estimation of when various code changes will be reviewed. That is, if the codes scheduled early on the schedule take less time than predicted, the later codes will start earlier than scheduled. This is important if you are planning to attend just one portion of the Public Hearings.

Monograph:
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/2006-
07cycle/ProposedChanges

Hearing schedule: 
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/2006-
07cycle/ProposedChanges/hearing_schedule.pdf

The following are the code changes proposed in various codes that staff of the Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes (HIPOC) has identified as relevant to the hydrogen and fuel cell community. The actual code proposals can be viewed by locating the individual code change in one of the documents available on the monograph page.

1) International Fuel Gas Code-Scoping Changes
Subject Section 2003 Scoping Assignment
2006 Scoping Assignment - Storage of hydrogen 706.4 will be heard by the International Fire Code Committee


2) FG54-06/07 (468Kb PDF)
704.1.2.3.5
Proponent: Guy Tomberlin, Fairfax County, Virginia, representing Virginia Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors Association (VPMIA) and the Virginia Building Code Officials Association (VBCOA)

Summary: Hydrogen piping shall not be located inside in a concealed location.


3) M56-06/07 (125Kb PDF)
502.4 through 502.5.2, 407 (New)
Proponent: Ronald Marts, Telcordia, representing AT&T, SBC, Ameritech, PacBell, Cincinnati Bell, BellSouth, Qwest and Southern New England Tele

Summary: The ventilation requirement for stationary storage battery systems was inadvertently put in the "exhaust" chapter of the IMC instead of the
ventilation chapter.


4) FS37-06/07 (147Kb PDF)
402.4.6, 402.7.1, 403.2, [F]404.3, 410.5.1, 410.5.2, [F]415.6.1.2, [F]415.6.2.2, [F]415.6.3.4.1, [F]415.6.3.5.2, [F]415.7.1, [F]415.7.3, [F]415.8.2.2, 415.8.5.2.1, 415.8.5.2.2, [F]416.2, [F]418.4, [F]418.5, [F]418.6, 706.3.3, 706.3.9, Table 706.3.9, 707.11, 707.13.3, 707.13.4, 712.3, 901.7, 903.2, [F]909.11 (IMC 513.11 & IFC 909.11), 909.20.2, 909.20.6.1, [F]910.3.4, [F]910.4.4, 1021.3, (IFC [B] 1021.3), 1022.2 (IFC [B] 1022.2) 3006.4, 3104.5, 3410.6.16.1 (IEBC [B] 301.6.16.1)
Proponent: Philip Brazil, P.E, Reid Middleton, Inc., representing himself

Summary: The definition of fire barrier was revised last cycle from begin a vertical or horizontal assembly to being a wall assembly and by deleting the provisions for horizontal fire barriers. The purpose of this proposal is to make the necessary revisions to the provisions in those code sections.


5) F53-06/07 (26Kb PDF)
608.1, Table 608.1, 608.5, 608.5.2, 608.6.1, 602 (New)
Proponent: Ronald Marts, Telcordia Technologies, representing AT&T, SBC, Ameritech, PacBell, Cincinnati Bell, Qwest, Southern New England Telephone

Summary: This proposed change adds Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP) batteries to Section 608.


6) F54-06/07 (12Kb PDF)
608.6.3 (New)
Proponent: Lynne M. Kilpatrick, Fire Department, City of Seattle, WA

Summary: The ventilation systems in 608.6.1 and 608.6.2 are required to insure that the concentration of hydrogen does not exceed 1% or present an
explosion hazard.


7) F154-06/07 (468Kb PDF)
2209.4.1 (New)
Proponent: Thomas Joseph, Chair, Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes

Summary: To prevent overpressure of the vehicle fuel system. Overpressure protection of the vehicles is provided by the fueling station system.


8) F155-06/07 (122Kb PDF)
2209.5 (New), 2202.1, 2209.3.2.3, 907.2.24 (New) [IBC [F] 907.2.24 (New)]
Proponent: Thomas Joseph, Chair, Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes

Summary: Current provisions of the code do not address the requirements for indoor attended fast fill systems. Fast fill hydrogen fuel dispensing can be safely accomplished with the requirements added by this new section 2209.5.


9) F156-06/07 (100Kb PDF)
2209.5.1.1(New), Chapter 45; IBC 406.5.2 (New), Chapter 35
Proponent: Thomas Joseph, Chair, Hydrogen Industry Panel on Codes

THIS PROPOSAL IS ON THE AGENDA OF THE IFC AND THE IBC GENERAL CODE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES. SEE THE TENTATIVE HEARING ORDERS FOR THESE COMMITTEES.

Summary: The current language does not address safety issues associated with electrostatic discharges (ESD). Fueling surfaces for hydrogen powered vehicles should be at least as protective regarding ESD issues as those fueling surfaces used for petroleum powered vehicles.

Analysis: Results of review of the proposed standard(s) will be posted on the ICC Website by August 20, 2006.


10) F157-06/07 (94Kb PDF)
2211.7.2, 2211.7.2.1
Proponent: Greg Rogers, South Kitsap Fire & Rescue, representing ICC Joint Fire Service Review Committee

Summary: Consistency with other gas detection requirements in Chapter 22. (See 2208.2.2 and 2209.2.2)


11) F172-06/07 (94Kb PDF)
3003.7.11 through 3003.7.11.2 (New), 3504.2.2 (New), Chapter 45
Proponent: Paul J. Buehler, Jr., Plug Power, Inc.

Summary: Revise outdated material because current International Fire Code and NFPA 55 sections do not deal with the storage of bottled hydrogen out of doors inside cabinets, but rather only consider "naked" cylinders or indoor gas cabinets per Sections 2703.8.6 and 3006.2.3. This amendment is to facilitate the placement of bottled hydrogen in proximity to low powered electrical equipment meeting only the highest standards of the telecommunications industry.

Analysis: Results of review of the proposed standard(s) will be posted on the ICC Website by August 20, 2006.

12) F175-06/07 (88Kb PDF)
3204.3.1.3
Proponent: John C. Dean, The National Association of State Fire Marshals

Summary: There has been considerable discussion on the requirement for, or prohibition of, or restriction on, the use of diking around above-ground LH2 storage. The proposed language captures the intent to prevent liquid hydrogen from entering areas not zoned/rated for flammable gas, and to control the ground-level vapor cloud, to the extent possible, to within areas designed to address a flammable mixture.


13) F191-06/07 (123Kb PDF)
3501.1, 3502.1, 3506 (New), 3201.1, 3204.3.1.1, 2209.3.2.5
Proponent: Larry Fluer, Fluer, Inc., representing Compressed Gas Association

Summary: Part 1. NFPA 55 contains material specific provisions for "bulk" hydrogen systems. The term "bulk" has been added to direct the user to the applicable sections of the Standard. Two new definitions have been added to define "bulk liquefied" and "bulk compressed" gas systems where specific details surrounding such installations can be found.

Part 2. Chapter 32 was intended to be a generic chapter for cryogenic fluids. Material specific hazards were to be placed into the appropriate chapter based on the nature of the material. A code change was introduced into the last code cycle (F216-04/05 Fluer, representing CGA) to F192 ICC PUBLIC HEARING ::: September 2006 relocate the requirements for liquid hydrogen tanks to Chapter 35, however, the necessary correlating changes and references were overlooked and the code change was rejected at the request of the proponent.

The provisions for liquid hydrogen have been proposed to be relocated without change from Chapter 32 to Chapter 35 and placed into a new Section 3506. Section 3506 is the only section in the chapter intended to apply to cryogenic fluids, and hydrogen is the sole cryogenic fluid provided for at this time.


14) F193-06/07 (97Kb PDF)
Table 3504.2.1
Proponent: Paul J. Buehler, Jr., Plug Power, Inc.

Summary: Revise outdated material because current International Fire Code and NFPA 55 sections do not deal with the storage of bottled hydrogen out of doors inside cabinets, but rather only consider "naked" cylinders or indoor gas cabinets per Sections 2703.8.6 and 3006.2.3. This amendment is to facilitate the placement of bottled hydrogen in proximity to low powered electrical equipment meeting only the highest standards of the telecommunications industry.


15) F194-06/07 (118Kb PDF)
3506 (New), 3502.1 (New)
Proponent: Larry Fluer, Fluer, Inc., representing Compressed Gas Association

Summary: METAL HYDRIDE STORAGE SYSTEM. A closed system consisting of a group of components assembled as a package to contain metal-hydrogen compounds for which there exists an equilibrium condition where the hydrogen absorbing metal alloy(s), hydrogen gas, and the metal-hydrogen compound(s) co-exist and where only hydrogen gas is released from the system in normal use.
METAL HYDRIDE. A generic name for compounds composed of metallic element(s) and hydrogen.


16) F229-06/07 (90Kb PDF)
IFGC [F] 706.4 (New)
Proponent: John C. Dean, The National Association of State Fire Marshals

Summary: This differs from anything in existing code in that it stipulates pressure limits, not just quantities of hydrogen gas. Ventilation and alarms are required so that should there be a gas leak, it is detected and there is no chance of asphyxiation. The IEC and NFPA 55 have established 25% of the LFL as the alarm point, and this seems to be consistent with good engineering practice. Proposed changes are based on findings from NASFM's Ad Hoc committee consisting of emergency responders, federal and state authorities, and industry experts all having experience with and/or code enforcement authority over residential and consumer hydrogen facilities.

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

For more information on the 2006/2007 code development procedure, visit:
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/2006-07cycle/index.html

Informal Report on ISO TC 197 Plenary Meeting
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

ISO TC 197, Hydrogen Technologies, held its 2006 annual plenary on June 8 in conjunction with the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC). AFNOR, the member body from France, hosted the meeting, along with meetings of working groups, at its facility in Saint Denis, on the outskirts of Paris.

Very brief summary reports for the work items are provided here. These are informal, and based on my own notes taken at the Plenary meeting. Formal minutes will be provided to member countries of ISO TC 197 at a later date. The key for abbreviations and acronyms is as follows:

CD: Committee DraftCor: Corrigendum

DIS: Draft International StandardDTC: Draft Technical Corrigendum

DTS: Draft Technical SpecificationFDIS: Final Draft International Standard

IS: International StandardTS: Technical Specification

WD: Working DraftWG: Working Group

WI: Work Item

The proposed dates for publications of all work items are as follows:

WG1: WI 13985: Liquid hydrogen - Land vehicle fuel tanks
FDIS: June 2006
IS: December 2006

WG5: WI 17268: Compressed hydrogen surface vehicle refuelling connection devices
CD due Dec 2006. No NWIP necessary to begin revision work, as it is already part of the scope.
Current version is mainly harmonized with the SAE J2600 standard published in October 2002. The revision will include more recent changes to the SAE document.

Revision target dates:
CD: December 2006
DIS: June 2007
FDIS: June 2008
IS: December 2008

WG6: WI 15869: Gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen blends - Land vehicle fuel tanks
FDIS: February 2007 based on the US request to extend circulation by 3 months (from 2 months to 5). This document had large number of comments. Addressing each properly is anticipated to take some time. Therefore the US exercised the right of any P-member country to request additional time for circulation. 

IS August 2007

WG8: WI 22734: Hydrogen generators using water electrolysis process
Part 1 Industrial and Commercial applications

FDIS: January 2007
IS: July 2007
Part 2: Residential Applications
DIS: January 2007
FDIS: January 2008
IS: July 2008

The next WG 8 meeting is scheduled to be held during the week of August 28, 2006 at Air Liquide in Paris

WG9: WI 16110: Hydrogen generators using fuel processing technologies
WG9 met this week in Paris for two days, and made good progress. There are two parts to this work - Safety and Performance. The WG discussed comments on the DIS for Part 1 - Safety. There were 170 comments received. The draft FDIS is scheduled to be sent to Secretary next week. Part 2 - Performance is still a Working Draft. The WG made progress and finalized the work to be done. Critical issues were raised by Japan with respect to the calculation of efficiency. This is a sensitive subject. The WG decided to leave the efficiency equation out of the standard. How to determine inputs and outputs will be addressed. 

Part 1 safety:
FDIS: September 2006
IS: March 2007
Part 2 test methods for performance
CD: September 2006
DIS: March 2007
FDIS: March 2008
IS: September 2008

WG10: WI 16111: Transportable gas storage devices - Hydrogen absorbed in reversible metal hydrides
Ned Stetson reviewed what happened in Palm Springs - the WG is preparing a TS concurrent with a DIS due to the need for a standard that can be referenced. In May, the Central Secretariat sent word that TC 58 also needed to approve the document. WG10 met yesterday to discuss comments received from the 2nd CD circulation. Clean-up of the document based on these comments is in progress. The Convener expects the draft should be sent to Secretary in July. The goal of the Working Group is to have the TS approved before the next meeting of the United Nations Subcommittee on Dangerous Goods.

DTS: July 2006
TS: December 2006
DIS: March 2007
FDIS: March 2008
IS: September 2008

WG11: WI 20012: Gaseous hydrogen- Fuelling stations
The next meeting is planned for the week of August 28 in Paris.

DTS: February 2007
TS: August 2007
The Convener stated he anticipates the draft may need a lot of editing work, based on WG8 editing comments, which are being considered for this document

WG12: WI 14687: Hydrogen fuel - Product Specification
There are two work items in this Working Group: ISO/DTS 14687-2: Hydrogen Fuel - Product Specification - Part 2: PEM fuel cell applications for road vehicles; and
Cor 2 to ISO 14687:1999. The Corregendum is to remove PEM fuel cell for road vehicles from ISO 14687:1999, and the draft T.S. is to define requirements for these applications. The two work items are to be released simultaneously.

DTC: July 2006
DTS: July 2006
TS: October 2006
CD: October 2007
DIS: October 2008
FDIS: October 2009
IS: April 2010

Sylvie Gingras sent her Editing Committee comments on the draft TS to WG 12 and Karen Hall (also a member of the Technical Editing Committee) simultaneously. Karen asked the procedure/mechanism to resolve the issue that the editing isn't done, and the WG is working with a document with incomplete editing. Sylvie and Karen are to work out any issues with the Technical Editing changes received so far off-line. WG 12 should proceed with best version possible at their meeting tomorrow.

WG13: WI 26142: Hydrogen detectors

CD: September 2006
DIS: May 2007
FDIS: May 2008
IS: September 2008

Many comments were received on the 2nd draft. The WG didn't get through all of them yesterday. The 3rd meeting is planned for the end of October. The document is expected to then move to the CD stage. The WG generated a revision to their scope, which must be approved by TC 197. After much discussion, the proposed changes were not supported. Some members of TC 197 suggested the scope focus on the function - multilevel sensing - rather than application. The rationale was that it is not up to us to say where this standard is to be applied, but to define requirements for a hydrogen-specific detector that indicates levels of hydrogen. Other members suggested the scope be limited to hydrogen refueling stations, as this work item was originally proposed, to avoid application spread. TC 197 directed WG 13 to propose a new scope and title to make it clearer, taking the discussion into account.

TC 31 and TC 197 are building a better relationship and have an agreement for this WI.

CD: November 2006
DIS: May 2007
FDIS: May 2008
IS: September 2008

Update on Published standards: 
ISO 13984:1999 The recent systematic review has been completed. The result is that TC 197 will reconfirm this IS.

ISO 14687:1999/Corr 2001 H2 Fuel Product Specification - A systematic review is to be launched at same time as the DTS and proposed technical corrigendum are circulated.

176268:2006 was published in April 2006.

There were no new work item proposals.

Membership - The United Kingdom and India joined TC 197 as P-members. 

Ad hoc group on hydrogen components - estimated completion date is 30 September 2006. The next step is a meeting of the ad hoc group to approve the final report is next step.

ISO Round Table on Global Harmonization of regulations, codes and standards (RC&S) for Gaseous Fuels and Vehicles: This meeting is scheduled for January 2007 in Geneva. ISO is Inviting 400 participants - and expects about 60 to attend from automotive, industry and regulatory organizations. See the meeting announcement on the ISO website.

Next meeting: In conjunction with the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention WHTC Nov 4-7 2007, Italy has invited ISO TC 197 to Montecatini Terme (in Tuscany, between Florence and Pisa). In addition, the 20th World Energy Congress & Exhibition will be held the week of Nov 11-15 in Rome. Italy proposed ISO meetings between these dates. Randy Dey proposed Nov 8 for the ISO TC 197 Plenary, and WG meetings throughout the week of Nov 4.

Compilation of Hydrogen Safety Training Programs
Antonio Ruiz (DOE) and Patrick Serfass (NHA)

Thanks to the Hydrogen Safety Review Panel we have a short list of organizations that offer different types of hydrogen training. Not every group offers training for every audience. But with a quick look, you may find an organization with a program that fits your needs. This information will continuously be available on the Technical Resources page of the Hydrogen and Fuel Safety Report where there are a host of other relevant resources focused on safety and technical subjects for the hydrogen community.

• California Fuel Cell Partnership Resources and Training
  Emergency responses materials: CaFCP Emergency Response Guide, Fuel Cell Vehicles and Hydrogen Fueling Stations, Version 2.0, August 2004, 79 pages; First responder training session information and schedule.
   
• NASA - White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) Hydrogen Safety Course
  WSTF personnel developed and teach "Hydrogen Safety" (NSTC 037), a 2-day course for engineers in the use and handling of hydrogen, and "Hydrogen Safety Operations" (NSTC 054), a 1-day course for technicians. Course material is based on NASA's Safety Standard for Hydrogen and Hydrogen Systems (NSS 1740.16); contact and schedule information included.
   
• Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. KnowH2ow® Safety Training
  KnowH2ow® Safety Training: hydrogen safety training programs ranging from safe handling and properties, to design and operation of hydrogen energy based systems; reference and contact information provided.
   
• Hydrogen Safety, LLC SafeH2 Industrial Training 
  SAFEH2™ Industrial Training: two-day training, core modules first day cover safety -related fundamentals; specialized modules second day go into depth in topics such as product, process and facility design, process monitoring, etc.; web-based, interactive curriculum also available.
   
• European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ENGVA) 
  The ENGVA through the European Gaseous Fuels Training Institute provides CNG and hydrogen safety training dealing with NGV, hydrogen vehicles and natural gas and hydrogen refueling stations; details and contact information provided for this one-day course. See also "Europe Launches Gaseous Fuel Training Institute" (HFCSR, Nov. 2004)

Know of a hydrogen safety or training program not listed here? Please tell us know about it! You can emailinfo@HydrogenandFuelCellSafety.info or use any of the contact details listed on our Contact page.

Hydrogen-Specific Detectors Update
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

ISO TC 197 Working Group (WG 13: HYDROGEN DETECTORS) met on June 7 in France to continue work on the development of an international standard for multi-level hydrogen-specific detectors. The group has several new members and addressed many of the issues relating to the need for the standard, scope, and comments from participating countries on the second working draft. There was not enough time available to complete the review of comments, so an additional meeting is being planned for autumn in Vancouver.

The background for the formation of WG13 was described in an article published in the February 2006 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Report.

While IEC 61779 covers detectors for flammable gases, there are no provisions for measuring range, selectivity and poisoning, which are considered essential for securing the safety of hydrogen installations. UL 2075 covers toxic and combustible gas and vapor detectors and sensors intended to be portable or employed in indoor or outdoor locations in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.

The ISO WD took as many provisions from the IEC standard as possible. However, WG13 recognizes that IEC 61779 did not address some issues that should be addressed for hydrogen-specific detectors.

Due to hydrogen's wide flammability range, it is desirable to detect lower concentrations with more accuracy than afforded in IEC 61779. The new ISO WD proposes simpler test requirements that address the issues of hydrogen measurement and monitoring only. It is also attempting to simplify any tests where doing so does not compromise the safety or performance, but merely avoids steps and equipment that are designed to test detection equipment for gases other than hydrogen.

The Working Group proposed a revised scope during the ISO TC 197 Plenary on June 8, but this revision was not approved. Participating countries raised concerns that the scope remains confusing, and suggested either limiting the scope to hydrogen refueling stations, expanding it to all stationary applications, or focusing on the suitability of the standard when hydrogen measurement and monitoring is required, rather than specifying applications. The one point where there was agreement, however, was that the standard is not intended to cover on-board vehicle applications, where alternative methods for ensuring safety are more suitable. The Technical Committee directed WG 13 to take the comments raised during the TC meeting back to the Working Group and propose a new scope at a later date.

Call for Hydrogen Vehicle Safety Papers for the 2007 SAE Congress
R. Rhoads (Rody) Stephenson, SAE Fire Safety Committee

The 2007 SAE World Congress will be held April 16-19, 2007 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Interested in submitting a paper on hydrogen vehicle safety? You can submit 200 to 300 word abstracts before June 30, 2006. Abstract submittal instructions and other details can be found at:

http://www.sae.org/congress/techprogram/cfp.htm

Brief Update on ISO TC 11: Boilers and Pressure Vessels
John J. Koehr, ASME and Chair of the US TAG for ISO TC 11

In my capacity as ISO/TC11 (Boilers and Pressure Vessels) observer to ISO/TC197, Hydrogen Technologies, please note the following status of activities related to ISO/DIS 16528, Boilers and Pressure Vessels:

• The final draft International Standard (FDIS) Ballot is due to close at the end of July 2006.
   
• The next meeting of ISO TC 11 is scheduled for August 2006 in conjunction with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code meetings in Henderson, NV, USA.

For further information, please contact John Koehr at 800-843-2763

Introducing a New Series of Articles
Karen Hall, National Hydrogen Association

The National Hydrogen Association is planning a series of articles for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Report. The purpose is to create a dialog about how existing efforts may or may not tie into other efforts and key commercialization decisions. It is anticipated that this discussion and follow-up analysis may help identify potential gaps in codes and standards activities in time to ensure these gaps are filled to meet key commercialization decisions.

Organizations and individuals involved in the development of codes and standards for hydrogen and fuel cell applications are invited to contribute articles, as well as comment on articles prepared by others.

I will begin by providing an example of how this series may be used. Let's say that a number of national and/or international regulatory authorities are creating regulations that presume hydrogen refuelling stations will have multi-level sensors installed to indicate any hydrogen present, as well as quantify the amount. This is a realistic example because it is in fact the case in Japan. If this were an issue in the U.S., we would then want to look at the DOE Multi-year Program Plan for Codes & Standards (899Kb PDF) (a living document which is being revised), as well as the National Template (132Kb PDF) and International Template (59Kb PDF). We can see that organizations are listed on the templates to lead or participate in activities relating to sensors/detectors. The analysis would be to discover whether these activities meet the requirements completely, and what steps are required to complete this activity.

If you anticipate that your application will need to use commercially-available flammable gas detectors for sensing hydrogen, then these standards are already in place. For example, UL 2075 covers toxic and combustible gas and vapor detectors and sensors intended to be portable or employed in indoor or outdoor locations in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.

If your application is expected to ensure there are no hydrogen leaks, but need not specify how that is achieved (this might be the case with hydrogen vehicles, for example, where safe, reliable methods exist that rely on pressure and/or temperature differences, rather than physically detecting hydrogen), then you may have an interest in ensuring developing codes, standards, and regulations continue to afford that flexibility, while still ensuring safety.

So the idea is to generate discussion about the anticipated end needs, and determine if the required codes, standards, and regulations are in place or being developed. Basically, it will be to help determine if there are any missing pieces to get to the end result. In this example, the U.S. national efforts relating to hydrogen detectors/sensors are not currently targeting multi-level sensors; however ISO TC 197 is developing a standard on multi-level hydrogen sensors, which could be used at hydrogen refuelling stations. In fact, the scope and applicability is currently under debate (see related article). If this activity is important to your organization or your country's regulators, then you would want to participate in this activity, or at least follow it closely, to make sure that the final product can be used for your purpose, if desired, and not required for applications where additional options are desired. Currently, the International Standard is scheduled to be published in September 2008. Does that meet your commercialization decision date?

The US commercialization decision on refuelling stations is after that date. Therefore, support of this activity is expected to contribute to the commercialization decision of this activity.

We are planning to start with some analysis of the connectors, or nozzles, for hydrogen refuelling. This is a good example, because it is an activity that is dependent on other activities. It relies on some requirements for refuelling, and possibly the fuel itself (to prevent cross-contamination). Most importantly, the connector at the refuelling station must fit the receptacle in the car, but not fit receptacles in cars that take other fuels, or other pressures. I will be working closely with DOE, NREL, SAE, and ISO TC 197 to develop this story, so I anticipate it may be ready for the July or August edition of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Report. The NHA welcomes other ideas from stakeholders on topics you would like to read about, as well as contributed articles.