(189b) Safety Considerations for Interfacing Hydrogen with the Public for Vehicles

Hydrogen fueled fuel-cell or combustion engine vehicles will interface hydrogen directly with the public. Thus, the long-established and very effective safety practices that have evolved in the large hydrogen production and distribution industry are being migrated ? with some additions and modifications - to the public application. One of the closest aspects of the interface is the actual dispensing of un-odorized hydrogen into vehicles, as the fueling process involves a temporary connection. In some installations, hydrogen will be generated at the fueling station in addition to the hydrogen compression and storage normally required. This paper will describe numerous safeguards to minimize potential hydrogen releases as well as how the modern safety concept of multiple layers of protection is utilized. This paper also describes how recent hydrogen safety codes and standards from vehicle design, building code, piping and pressure vessel and fire protection professional organizations are being successfully integrated.