First Name
Andy
Last Name
Piatt
Submitted by Andy Piatt on Mon, 09/25/2017 - 17:10
Severity
Incident
Was Hydrogen Released?
Yes
Was There Ignition?
Yes
Incident Date
May 01, 2001
Setting
City Street
Hydrogen Delivery Vehicle/Tube Trailer
Equipment
  • Hydrogen Storage Equipment
  • Hydrogen tubes
  • Vehicle & Fueling Systems
  • Gaseous Hydrogen Delivery Vehicle
Damage and Injuries
Human Life
Lost Time Injury
Property Damage
Probable Cause
Vehicle Collision
Contributing Factors
Human Error
Operation Induced Damage
Characteristics
High Pressure (> 100 bar)
When Incident Was Discovered
During Operations
Lessons Learned

1. Increase physical protection, shielding, and securing of transported hydrogen tube valves, piping, and fittings from multi-directional forces that are likely to occur during accidents, including rollovers. Reference: 49 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 173.301.

2. Provide training to emergency responders on the unique chemical and flammability properties of hydrogen, including its nearly invisible flame during daylight hours and its tendency to rise quickly since it is 14 times lighter than air.

Key:

  • = No Ignition
  • = Explosion
  • = Fire
Hydrogen Incident Summaries by Equipment and Primary Cause/Issue
Equipment / Cause Equipment Design or Selection Component Failure Operational Error Installation or Maintenance Inadequate Gas or Flame Detection Emergency Shutdown Response Other or Unknown
Hydrogen Gas Metal Cylinder or Regulator   3/31/2012
4/30/1995
2/6/2013		 4/26/2010 12/31/1969     3/17/1999
11/1/2001
12/23/2003
Piping/Valves 4/4/2002
2/2/2008
5/11/1999		 4/20/1987
11/4/1997
12/31/1969
8/19/1986
7/27/1991
12/19/2004
2/6/2008
10/3/2008
4/5/2006
5/1/2007
9/19/2007
10/31/1980		 2/7/2009 1/24/1999
2/24/2006
6/8/1998
12/31/1969
2/7/2009

9/1/1992
10/31/1980

 10/3/2008  
Tubing/Fittings/Hose   9/23/1999
8/2/2004
8/6/2008
9/19/2007		 1/1/1982 9/30/2004
10/7/2005		   10/7/2005  
Compressor   10/5/2009
6/10/2007
8/21/2008
1/15/2019		     10/5/2009 8/21/2008  
Liquid Hydrogen Tank or Delivery Truck 4/27/1989 12/19/2004
1/19/2009		 8/6/2004 12/31/1969   1/1/1974 12/17/2004
Pressure Relief Device 7/25/2013
5/4/2012		 1/15/2002
1/08/2007		 12/31/1969        
Instrument 1/15/2019 3/17/1999
12/31/1969
2/6/2013		     11/13/73    
Hydrogen Generation Equipment 7/27/1999     10/23/2001      
Vehicle or Lift Truck   7/21/2011         2/8/2011
12/9/2010
Fuel Dispenser   8/2/2004
5/1/2007
6/11/2007
9/19/2007		   2/24/2006
1/22/2009		      
Fuel Cell Stack            

5/3/2004
12/9/2010
2/8/2011
Hydrogen Cooled Generator       12/31/1969
2/7/2009		      
Other (floor drain, lab
anaerobic chamber,
heated glassware,
test chamber,
gaseous hydrogen
composite cylinder,
delivery truck)		   11/14/1994
7/21/2011		 7/27/1999
6/28/2010
8/21/2008		 12/31/1969
3/22/2018		     6/10/2019
  • = No Ignition
  • = Explosion
  • = Fire