Vehicle Safety Features

• Vehicles and battery replacement modules should be listed or approved for operation; specific standards stipulate requirements for fuel cell systems in industrial equipment (see below).
• Regulations may limit the on-board hydrogen storage capacity. Industrial trucks with a large on-board storage capacity may require consideration using automotive standards.
• Vehicle storage tanks should be designed and certified to meet the intended pressure-temperature conditions and cycle life.
• A thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) should be provided to relieve the contents of an on-board storage tank when it is exposed to fire.
• An on-board control module should monitor process conditions and shut down the vehicle if unsafe conditions are detected.
• A leak detector should be provided to isolate the fuel source upon detection of an on-board hydrogen leak.
• Vehicle fuel systems should prevent the release of the entire storage contents in the event of a leak downstream of the tank valve. For example, an on-tank normally closed isolation valve might be used.
• Maintenance of vehicle fuel systems should include an inert gas purge procedure prior to returning to service. A mixture of hydrogen and air in the high-pressure fuel system must be avoided.