N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 2309: Section FC 2309: Hydrogen Motor Fuel-Dispensing and Generating Facilities

2309.1 General.

Hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generating facilities shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with this section and FC Chapters 53, 55 and 58, as applicable.

2309.1.1 Prohibition.

It shall be unlawful to:

1. Maintain or operate a self-service hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facility.

2. Maintain or operate a marine hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facility.

3. Fill a container with hydrogen, other than containers permanently mounted on a powered industrial truck or a hydrogen-powered motor vehicle and used for motive power as set forth in FC 5801.5(1).

4. Generate, compress, store or dispense hydrogen indoors, except for gaseous hydrogen in hydrogen fuel gas rooms in accordance with FC 5808.

2309.1.2 Supervision.

The dispensing of hydrogen at hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be conducted by or under the personal supervision of a certified attendant in accordance with FC 2301.7.

2309.1.2.1 Inspection of dispensing area.

The certified attendant at a hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facility responsible for supervision of the dispensing of hydrogen shall inspect the dispensing area on a daily basis to ensure that the facility is being maintained in accordance with this chapter and the rules. The certified attendant shall notify the owner and make any other notifications required by this code if there is any evidence that the facility is not in good working order. A record of such inspections and notifications shall be maintained at the premises in accordance with FC 107.7.

2309.1.2.2 Duties of fleet personnel.

Employees or other persons working for the owner of a fleet hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facility whose duties involve the dispensing of hydrogen shall be trained and knowledgeable in such dispensing in compliance with the requirements of this code and the rules.

2309.1.3 Maintenance.

Maintenance of hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be conducted under the personal supervision of a person holding a hydrogen fueling-facility maintenance certificate of fitness.

2309.1.4 Lighting.

Dispensing areas shall be well lighted whenever dispensing is conducted.

2309.1.5 Dispensing area signage.

Durable signs shall be conspicuously posted in dispensing areas in hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facilities in compliance with the requirements of FC 2309.1.5.1 through 2309.1.5.4.

2309.1.5.1 Operating instructions.

A sign setting forth dispenser operating instructions shall be posted on every dispenser. Such sign shall also indicate the location of the emergency shutdown valves and emergency shutdown controls required by FC 2309.7.3 and 2309.7.4.

2309.1.5.2 Hydrogen dispensing warning sign.

A warning sign that reads as follows shall be posted on or immediately adjacent to each dispenser:

1. No smoking.

2. Shut off engine.

2309.1.5.3 Emergency procedures.

A sign setting forth emergency procedures that reads as follows shall be posted in the dispensing area, or other location designated in this section:

IN CASE OF FIRE, LEAK OR EMERGENCY:

ACTIVATE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN

DIRECT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO EXIT VEHICLES AND LEAVE AREA IMMEDIATELY

KEEP ALL PERSONS AWAY FROM THE AREA

NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (CALL 911)

(FACILITY ADDRESS) (indicate address, with cross-street reference

).

2309.1.5.4 Canopy top hydrogen storage.

An approved sign having 2-inch (51-mm) block letters shall be conspicuously posted at approved locations on the exterior of any canopy structure when gaseous hydrogen compression and storage equipment is located on top of such canopy reading "CANOPY TOP HYDROGEN STORAGE."

2309.1.6 Emergency telephone.

A telephone not requiring a coin to operate or another approved, clearly identified means to notify the department, shall be provided on the site in an approved location.

2309.2 Equipment.

Equipment used for the generation, compression, storage or dispensing of hydrogen shall be designed for hydrogen motor fuel in accordance with this section.

2309.2.1 Approved equipment.

Containers and tanks; pressure relief devices, including pressure valves, hydrogen vaporizers, pressure regulators, and piping used for gaseous hydrogen systems shall be designed and constructed in accordance with FC Chapters 53, 55 and 58.

2309.2.2 Listed or approved equipment.

Hoses, hose connections, compressors, hydrogen generators, dispensers, detection systems and electrical equipment used for hydrogen shall be listed or approved for use with hydrogen. Hydrogen motor fueling connections shall be listed and labeled or approved for use with hydrogen.

2309.2.3 Electrical equipment.

Electrical wiring and equipment shall be suitable for the location in which they are installed and shall be in accordance with the Electrical Code.

2309.3 Location.

In addition to the requirements of FC 2303.1, generation, compression, storage and dispensing equipment shall be located in accordance with this section.

2309.3.1 Outdoors.

Generation, compression, storage or dispensing equipment shall be allowed outdoors only in accordance with FC Chapter 58 and NFPA 2.

2309.3.2 Gaseous hydrogen storage.

Storage of gaseous hydrogen shall be in accordance with FC Chapters 53 and 58 and NFPA 2.

2309.3.3 Liquefied hydrogen storage.

Storage of liquefied hydrogen shall be in accordance with FC Chapters 55 and 58 and NFPA 2.

2309.3.4 Canopy tops.

Gaseous hydrogen compression and storage equipment located on top of motor fuel-dispensing facility canopies shall be in accordance with

FC Chapters 53 and 58

, the

Fuel Gas Code and this section.

2309.3.4.1 Construction.

Canopies shall be constructed in accordance with the motor fuel-dispensing facility canopy requirements of Chapter 4 of the Building Code and the following:

1. The canopy shall meet or exceed Type I construction requirements.

2. Operations located under canopies shall be limited to fueling only.

3. The canopy shall be constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen gas.

2309.3.4.2 Fire extinguishing systems.

Fuel-dispensing areas under canopies shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system. The design of the sprinkler system shall not be less than that required for Extra Hazard Group 2 occupancies. Operation of the sprinkler system shall activate the emergency functions of this section.

2309.3.4.3 Emergency discharge.

Operation of the sprinkler system shall activate an automatic emergency discharge system, which will discharge the hydrogen gas from the equipment on the canopy top through the vent pipe system.

2309.3.4.4 Emergency shutdown control.

Operation of the sprinkler system shall activate the emergency shutdown control required by FC 2309.7.4.

2309.4 Canopies.

Dispensing equipment need not be separated from canopies of Type I or II construction that are constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen gas and in accordance with Chapter 4 of the Building Code.

2309.5 Weather protection.

Generation, compression, storage or dispensing equipment shall be allowed under weather protection in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 4 of the Building Code and FC 5004.13. The weather protection shall be constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen gas.

2309.6 Overpressure protection.

Dispensing systems shall be equipped with an overpressure protection device set at 140 percent of the service pressure of the fueling nozzle it supplies.

2309.7 Safety precautions.

Safety precautions at hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generating facilities shall be in accordance with this section.

2309.7.1 Protection from vehicles.

Guard posts or other approved means shall be provided to protect hydrogen storage systems and use areas subject to vehicular damage in accordance with FC 312.

2309.7.2 Vehicle fueling pad.

The motor vehicle shall be fueled on noncoated concrete or other approved paving material having a resistance not exceeding 1 megohm as determined by the methodology specified in EN 1081.

2309.7.3 Emergency shutoff valves.

A manual emergency shutoff valve shall be provided at a clearly visible, accessible and approved location, to shut down the flow of gas from the hydrogen supply to the piping system.

2309.7.4 Emergency shutdown controls.

In addition to the manual emergency shutoff valve required by FC 2309.7.3, a remotely located, manually activated emergency shutdown control shall be provided. An emergency shutdown control shall be located within 75 feet (22 860 mm) of, but not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) from, dispensers and hydrogen generators.

2309.7.5 System requirements.

Activation of the emergency shutdown control shall automatically shut down the power supply to all hydrogen storage, compression and dispensing equipment; shut off natural gas or other fuel supply to the hydrogen generator; and close valves between the main supply and the compressor and between the storage containers and dispensing equipment.

2309.8 Defueling procedure.

The defueling, purging or other discharge of gaseous hydrogen from hydrogen motor fuel supply systems, including tanks and piping, shall be conducted in accordance with FC Chapters 53 and 58 and NFPA 2. Documentation setting forth the procedure for discharging the storage container shall be submitted to the department for review in connection with the approval of the hydrogen motor fuel storage and dispensing system installation. The written procedure shall address the actions the operator shall take in the event of a low-pressure or high-pressure hydrogen release during gaseous hydrogen discharge.

Exception: Discharges limited to the fuel supply piping from the fuel storage tank to the engine compartment on a motor vehicle or powered industrial truck.