Alternative Fuels Workshop & Wisconsin Smart Fleet Recognition Program - Sierra Monitor Corporation Presentation

Corey Miller

www.sierramonitor.com


• Provide insight and promote discussion on what it will take to prepare your Maintenance Facility for alternative fueled vehicles

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

• Review hazardous nature of these fuels


• Various codes and ordinances that influence design

• Equipment commonly used in operation of system– Detection– Alarm– Mitigation

• Cost of ownership


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


• 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


• Propane– 100% LEL = 2.1% by volume

– Heavier than air

– Odorless

– Liquefied for storage and transportation but gas for combustion


• 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)


• 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 in. (450 mm) of ceiling, except as noted below

– Class 1 Div 2

• Within 18 in. (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 within 18 in. (450 mm) of the highest point in the ceiling

– Unclassified


• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)– NFPA 52 (2013) – Vehicular Gaseous Fuel Systems

– NFPA 88A (2011) – Standards for Parking Structures

– NFPA 59 (2012) -- Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases at Utility Gas Plants


• 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


• Type of work being conducted on vehicles– Major or Minor

• Solicit the services of a qualified engineer (NFPA52)• Building structure• Natural ventilation• Surrounding buildings• Security• Occupation• Ignition Source

– Heaters, grinding and welding areas• Geographic and climate considerations


• Gas detection has two deployment alternatives– Portable – used as personnel protection

and is not used as detection method in maintenance facility

– Fixed – use for area protection and alarm activation


• Controller based vs. Sensor based systems• Controller based

– 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


• Controller based vs. Sensor based systems

• Sensor based– Pro

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

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


• 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


• Open Path Gas Detection


• Open Path Gas Detection


• Catalytic bead• Infrared• Electrochemical


• Combustible materials (CH4 and H2)

• Performance approved by a NRTL– UL2075, FM 6320 or CSA 22.2 No. 152

• Requires periodic calibration – 90 days or 180 days

DCSupply

Output

Active Bead

Passive Bead


Sample Cell

Detector Source

• Light hydrocarbons, C1-C6 not Hydrogen

• Located with the 18” of the ceiling

• Performance approved

• Accurate & stable

• Large measurement range

• Low maintenance

• 1 Year calibration interval


• 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








• Design Consideration– Sensor Location

• Spacing• Height

– Combustible» Hydrogen (H2)» Methane (CH4)» Propane

– Toxic» Carbon Monoxide» Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

• Use of common sense


• 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



• Natural air flow

• Pressurization of office areas

• Evacuation of air– Exhaust Fans

• Produce make-up air– HVAC

– Doors and Vents


• “Push/Pull” Design - Simple– 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%


• 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 each 60-minutes (vs. NORMAL at five (5) times each 60-minutes

• Eight (8) air changes each 60-minutes equals about 45% more Emergency air volume (CFM) than Normal air volume



• Security– Vents over doors

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


• 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


• Total Cost of Ownership• Equipment maintenance cost

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

• Ladder, Scissor Lift or Bucket Lift» Full system test: Horns, Strobes and BBU

• Safety


Contact Sierra Monitor at:

[email protected]

Education

Alternative Fuels Workshop & Wisconsin Smart Fleet Recognition Program - Sierra Monitor Corporation Presentation