D.C. Fire Marshals Come Face-to-Face with Hydrogen

 

by Lara Neer, Program Coordinator, National Hydrogen Association
The National Hydrogen Association’s safety codes and standards work with ISO-TC 197, ICC AHC, SAE, and other standards bodies—national and international—strive to ensure that code officials have the ability to properly site hydrogen systems both stationary and vehicular. The Vehicle Ride and Drives played a large role in the 12th Annual U.S. Hydrogen Meeting and these exciting exhibits were close to being disallowed by the District of Columbia’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.

The NHA consulted with D.C. Fire and EMS prior to the meeting regarding permits for the hydrogen refueling station and fuel cell vehicles. We were told that it was not a problem and that the District’s Fire Department simply wanted to view the vehicles. Unfortunately, when the Fire Marshals arrived to permit the vehicles on the afternoon of 6 March, they took a dim view of the relative safety of the vehicles. Their concern centered on the placement of the tanks, possible ignition sources, and safety precautions that would be taken in case of an accident. The Marshals even made reference to the dangerous explosiveness of hydrogen gas.

The NHA had to quickly devise a plan that would allow the D.C. Fire and EMS Department to permit these hydrogen systems. Tina Schneider, NHA’s Conference Planner, enlisted the help of hydrogen safety experts Addison Bain, formerly of NASA, and Jim Hansel of Air Products and Chemicals, as well as the exhibitors Ron Gilland of Ford Motor Company, Michael Johnston from SunLine Transit Agency, Tom Judy of U.S. MagneGas, Rod MacKenzie from Stuart Energy Systems; and Gene L. West of U.S. MagneGas. Each of the exhibitors prepared a schematic of the hydrogen system in their vehicle or refueling station and a Material Safety Data Sheet.

The morning of 7 March, the group traveled en masse to the Fire Prevention Bureau to present their safety information and answer all questions posed by the Marshals. The hydrogen experts explained that the hydrogen systems in the vehicles followed the Natural Gas Vehicle Standards. The Marshals remarked that the process of siting would be greatly enhanced if hydrogen standards existed. They also asked about safety features on the vehicles and were told that both the Ford P2000 and U.S. MagneGas demonstration vehicle were designed to automatically shut down in the event of an accident.

To say that Sergeant Mike Bashore and Inspector Steve Smith were impressed and surprised with the caliber of information and personnel at the meeting would be an understatement. In addition to the specifications and MSDS, they were given a copy of the video Hydrogen: The Matter of Safety, which they were able to view after the meeting. The group also brought literature on the individual exhibits, giving the Fire Marshals a wealth of information.

This experience proves that safety codes and standards are paramount if the hydrogen industry intends to commercialize these systems in the near future. If applicable codes and standards were available on 6 March, the D.C. Fire and EMS Department and the exhibitors could have avoided the initial permitting delay and subsequent meeting. Sgt. Bashore and Insp. Smith must have been thoroughly convinced of the safety of the vehicles because later that day they went to the hotel to test-drive the vehicles for themselves. A big thank you to everyone who assisted in the education of the Fire Marshals and the eventual permitting of the hydrogen technology exhibits. ©2001. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of the National Hydrogen Association.
This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

Home Page • Return to NHA News Index