What is NFPA 2 and why is it important to the hydrogen industry?

Hydrogen is a chemical element found in abundance in nature and can be used as a clean, renewable energy source. Hydrogen emits no greenhouse gases or air pollutants when burned or converted to electricity using a fuel cell. Hydrogen can be applied to various sectors, such as electricity, transportation, industrial and residential, offering a versatile and efficient solution for the energy transition.

However, hydrogen also presents some specific challenges and risks that must be responsibly managed to ensure the safety of people, property, and the environment. Hydrogen is a highly flammable and explosive gas that requires special storage, transportation and use conditions. Hydrogen can also react with other materials and cause structural damage or leaks. Furthermore, hydrogen is colorless, odorless, and inaudible, making it difficult to detect in an emergency.

To prevent and control hydrogen-related fires and explosions, a specific regulatory framework is needed that establishes minimum safety requirements for the handling of hydrogen. This regulatory framework is the hydrogen technologies code, known as NFPA 2 for its acronym in English.

NFPA 2 is a code developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting fire safety worldwide. The NFPA develops and publishes more than three hundred codes and standards that address a wide range of topics related to fire prevention and protection.

NFPA 2 is one of the most important NFPA codes, as it covers all aspects of the hydrogen life cycle, from production to consumption, storage, transportation, and distribution. The code provides fundamental safeguards for the generation, installation, storage, conduction, use and handling of hydrogen in the form of compressed gas (GH2) or cryogenic liquid (LH2).

This code is based on the principles of fire safety engineering and available scientific data on the properties and behavior of hydrogen. The code incorporates best practices and lessons learned from previous experiences with hydrogen, as well as applicable international standards, such as those of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Is a voluntary code that can be adopted by competent authorities as part of the regulation of the use of hydrogen. The code also serves as a guide for designers, manufacturers, installers, operators and users of systems and equipment involving hydrogen. The code helps evaluate and mitigate the risks associated with hydrogen, as well as establish criteria for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of hydrogen systems.

Is periodically updated to reflect technological advances and new applications of hydrogen. The most recent edition of the code is for the year 2023 and is available in English on the NFPA website.

NFPA 2 is an essential code to promote the safe and sustainable development of the hydrogen industry. The code helps protect human life, property and the environment from the potential dangers associated with hydrogen. The code also facilitates the harmonization of technical and regulatory criteria between the different countries and regions that are committed to hydrogen as an energy alternative. Hydrogen is one of the keys to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. NFPA 2 is a critical instrument to ensure that hydrogen is used safely and responsibly.

How is the code implemented in different countries and regions?

The NFPA 2 code is a voluntary code that can be adopted by the competent authorities of different countries and regions as part of the regulation of the use of hydrogen. However, the degree of application and adoption of the code may vary depending on the legal, regulatory, and technical context of each country or region. Some examples of countries and regions that have applied or adopted the NFPA 2 code are:

• United States: The NFPA 2 code is the recognized national standard for hydrogen technologies in the United States. The code is incorporated by reference into the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the International Fire Code (IFC), which are the most widely used codes for electrical and fire safety in the country. The NFPA 2 code is also enforced through federal, state, and local regulations that adopt it or require it for certain hydrogen projects or facilities.
• Canada: The NFPA 2 code is used as a guide for the design, installation, and operation of hydrogen systems in Canada. The code is complemented by other Canadian standards, such as CSA B149.5, which establishes requirements for the installation of pressurized hydrogen equipment, and CSA B51, which regulates pressure vessels and piping.
• European Union: The NFPA 2 code is not directly applied in the European Union but is recognized as an international reference standard for hydrogen technologies. The code is aligned with European directives and regulations, such as the ATEX Directive, which sets out requirements for explosion protection, and the PED Regulation, which regulates pressure equipment. The code is also harmonized with European standards, such as EN 62282, which specifies requirements for fuel cells and hydrogen systems.
• Japan: The NFPA 2 code is used as a guide for the development and implementation of hydrogen technologies in Japan. The code is adapted to local conditions and regulations, such as the High-Pressure Gas Safety Law, which regulates the storage and transportation of hydrogen, and the Industrial Equipment Safety Law, which regulates the installation and use of equipment of hydrogen. The code is also complemented by other Japanese standards, such as JIS B 8415, which establishes requirements for hydrogen refueling stations.

What other NFPA codes are relevant to hydrogen?

In addition to the NFPA 2 code, which focuses on hydrogen technologies, there are other NFPA codes that are relevant to hydrogen in different contexts and applications. Some of these codes are:

• NFPA 1: Fire Code. This code establishes general requirements for fire prevention and protection in all types of occupations and activities. The code includes specific provisions for the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel in vehicles and filling stations.
• NFPA 55: Compressed and Cryogenic Gases Code. This code regulates the storage, handling, transportation, and installation of compressed and cryogenic gases, including hydrogen. The code addresses the physical and chemical hazards of gases, as well as the design, construction, testing, maintenance, and inspection requirements of vessels, piping, equipment.
• NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC). This code establishes requirements for electrical safety in electrical installations and equipment. The code includes specific provisions for hydrogen systems and fuel cells, such as wiring, grounding, overcurrent protection, disconnection, and labeling requirements.
• NFPA 853: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Fuel Cell Systems. This standard provides requirements for the installation of stationary fuel cell systems that use hydrogen or other fuels to generate electricity. The standard addresses the safety, performance, testing and maintenance aspects of fuel cell systems and their components.

These are some of the NFPA codes that are relevant to hydrogen, but they are not the only ones. The NFPA has other codes that may apply to hydrogen depending on the nature and scope of each project or installation. For more information on NFPA codes, you can visit the NFPA website.

Which are the main challenges of hydrogen as an energy source?

Hydrogen as an energy source has many advantages, such as its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, its versatility to be applied to various sectors, and its ability to take advantage of renewable energy sources. However, it also faces some important challenges that must be overcome to achieve its large-scale development and deployment. Some of these challenges are:

• Production: Renewable hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, which requires electricity and water. Electricity must come from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, to ensure the sustainability of the process. Water must be of excellent quality and available in sufficient quantity, which can be a problem in some water-scarce regions. Furthermore, electrolysis is an energy-intensive process with limited efficiency, which involves significant energy losses.
• Costs: Renewable hydrogen is currently more expensive than hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, such as natural gas, which is the most widely used method today. The cost of renewable hydrogen depends mainly on the cost of renewable electricity and electrolysis equipment, which is expensive and scarce. It is estimated that the cost of renewable hydrogen must be reduced by at least 50% to be competitive with fossil hydrogen.
• Infrastructure: Hydrogen is an exceptionally light and diffusive gas, which makes its transportation and storage difficult. Hydrogen requires specific infrastructure, such as pipelines, tanks, compressors, refueling stations and adapted vehicles, which are expensive and currently limited. The development of a hydrogen infrastructure involves significant investment and coordination, both at public and private levels, as well as a harmonization of technical and regulatory criteria between different countries and regions.
• Safety: Hydrogen is a very flammable and explosive gas, which increases the risk of accidents during its handling and use. Hydrogen can also react with other materials and cause structural damage or leaks. Furthermore, hydrogen is colorless, odorless, and inaudible, making it difficult to detect in an emergency. Therefore, hydrogen requires specific safety measures, such as detection, ventilation, extinguishing and evacuation systems, as well as adequate training and awareness of operators and users.

These are some of the main challenges of hydrogen as an energy source, but they are not the only ones. Hydrogen is an emerging technology that requires greater research, innovation, and development to improve its efficiency, reduce its costs and increase its safety. It also requires a favorable regulatory framework, international cooperation, and social acceptance to promote its adoption and dissemination. Hydrogen has immense potential to contribute to the energy transition and climate neutrality, but it also implies a profound transformation of the current energy system.