Preparing Maintenance Facilities for Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Copyright © 2014 Sierra Monitor Corporation

Preparing Maintenance Facilities for Alternative Fuel Vehicles by Corey Miller, Senior Sales Engineer


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• Provide insight and promote discussion on what it will take to prepare your maintenance facility for Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV)

• Define alternative fuels as non-gasoline/diesel. Includes CNG, LNG, LPG, Hydrogen, and Fuel Cell

• Review hazardous nature of these fuels

Executive Summary


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• Various codes and ordinances that influence design • Equipment commonly used in operation of system Detection Alarm Mitigation

• Cost of ownership

Executive Summary (cont’d)


• Natural Gas (Methane, CH4) 100% LEL = 5% by volume Lighter than air Odorless CNG = Compressed Natural Gas LNG = Liquid Natural Gas

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Alternative Fuels


•Hydrogen (H2) 100% LEL = 4% by volume Much lighter than air Odorless Used as fuels in two methods:

• Combustion engines • Fuel Cell – to create electricity

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Alternative Fuels


•Propane 100% LEL = 2.1% by volume Heavier than air Odorless Liquefied for storage and transportation but gas

for combustion

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Alternative Fuels


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•International Code Council International Fire Code (IFC 2012)

• Section 2311.7 • Requires gas detection equipment for non-odorized gases • Shall be “performance approved”

International Mechanical Code (IMC 2012) International Building Code (IBC 2012)

Codes and Regulations


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•National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA 30A (2012) – Repair Garage-Major, where lighter-than-air gaseous

fueled vehicles are repaired or stored • The terms “repair garage – major” are intended to correlate with Article

511.3 of NFPA 70 ®, National Electrical Code ® • Within 18 inches (450 mm) of ceiling, except as noted below

• Class 1 Div. 2 • Within 18 inches (450 mm) of ceiling where ventilation of at least one

ft3/min./ft2 of floor area is provided and suction is taken from a point within18 inches (450 mm) of the highest point in the ceiling

• Unclassified



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•National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA 52 (2013) Vehicular Gaseous Fuel Systems NFPA 88A (2015) – Standards for Parking Structures NFPA 59 (2015) – Standard for the Storage and Handling of

Liquefied Petroleum Gases at Utility Gas Plants



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•Note that the ICC code series and NFPA 30A, 52, and 88A are codes that, if adopted, are adopted voluntarily by states and enforced by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

•Local AHJ may enforce additional requirements beyond the national codes and thus should be consulted directly before final design of any modifications



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• Type of work being conducted on vehicles Major or Minor

• Solicit the services of a qualified engineer (NFPA 52) • Building structure • Natural ventilation • Surrounding buildings • Security • Occupation • Ignition Source Heaters, grinding and welding areas

• Geographic and climate considerations

Design Consideration


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• Gas detection has two deployment alternatives Portable – used as personnel protection and is not used

as detection method in maintenance facility Fixed – used for area protection and alarm activation

Gas Detection


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• Controller based system Pro

• Control and interface from a single point • Easier to install with fewer wires • Third party approval for a complete system • Simpler calibration technique

Con • Size limitation

Fixed Gas Detection


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• Sensor based Pro

• More flexibility in system design • Third party approvals for sensors only

Con • Requires data wires and power wires • Calibration can be more cumbersome

Fixed Gas Detection


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• Open Path Gas Detection Pro

• Less cost per area • Fewer components

Con • Not accurate for point gas level analysis

• Measures in LEL/meter • Difficult to install • Not accepted by some local AHJ

Fixed Gas Detection


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• Open Path Gas Detection

Fixed Gas Detection


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• Catalytic Bead • Infrared • Electrochemical

Sensor Technology


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• Combustible materials (CH4 and H2) • Performance approved by a NRTL UL 2075, FM 6320 or CSA 22.2 No. 152

• Requires periodic calibration

Catalytic Bead Technology


DC Supply Active Bead

Output

Passive Bead

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• Light hydrocarbons, C1-C6 (excluding Hydrogen) • Large measurement range • Located within 18 inches of the ceiling • Low maintenance • Performance approved • 1 year calibration interval • Accurate & stable

Infrared Technology


Detector

Sample Cell

Source

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• CO and NO2 • Located in the “breath zone” (4 ~ 7 ft. off grade) • Current generating electrolytic reaction • High sensitivity for PPM levels of toxic gas • Specificity to gas of interest

Electrochemical Technology


Capillary Diffusion Barrier

Sensing Electrode

Counter Electrode

Electrolyte Sensor Pins

Current Collectors

Separator

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Sensor Technology


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Sensor Technology


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Sensor Technology


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Sensor Technology


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Sensor Technology


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Sensor Technology


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• Design Consideration Sensor Location

• Spacing • Height

• Combustible • Hydrogen (H2) • Methane (CH4) • Propane

• Toxic • Carbon Monoxide (CO) • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

• Use of common sense

Sensor Technology


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• Notification Required at 25% LEL of combustible level Visual from all points Audible to all ADA compliant First responder intuitive Allow the authority to know when it is safe to return Evacuation if required

• Audible and Visual are different than “Fire Alarm” • Auto dialers, where required

Alarm and Notification


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Alarm and Notification


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• Natural air flow • Pressurization of office areas • Evacuation of air Exhaust fans

• Produce make-up air Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) Doors and vents

Mitigation


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• “Push/Pull” Design – simplified Air is 100% cubic feet per minute of outside air Air handling unit(s) “push” air into the building Exhaust fan(s) “pull” the air from the building and exhaust to atmosphere

• Two modes of operation NORMAL (low fan speed) – 24 hours/day, 7 days/week EMERGENCY (high fan speed) – activated on flammable gas concentration of not

more than 20%

Mitigation


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• Air Volume (CFM) Requirements NORMAL (low fan speed)

• Minimum one (1) CFM per 12 cubic feet of room volume [room volume = length (ft.) x width (ft.) x height (ft.)] • Minimum per National Fire Protection Code (NFPA 52)

EMERGENCY (high fan speed) • Change the volume of air eight (8) times every 60 minutes (vs. NORMAL at five (5) times

every 60 minutes) • Eight (8) air changes every 60 minutes equals about 45% more EMERGENCY air volume

(CFM) than NORMAL air volume

Mitigation


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Mitigation Mechanicals


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• Security Vents over doors

• Shunt trip and shut down • Explosion proof requirements • Signage

Additional Considerations


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• Total Cost of Ownership Utility cost

• Moving the air • Heating the air

Equipment cost • Installation

• $75K to $150K estimated per bay • Includes design and build

Cost of Ownership


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• Total Cost of Ownership Equipment maintenance cost

• Annually, estimated $25~$150 per sensor • Access to the sensor

• Ladder • Scissor Lift • Bucket Lift

• Full system test: • Horns • Strobes • BBU

Safety

Cost of Ownership


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Thank You

Copyright © 2014 Sierra Monitor Corporation 38

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Preparing Maintenance Facilities for Alternative Fuel Vehicles