Basic Principles of Fuel Cell Safety
The fuel cell engine uses hydrogen (directly, or indirectly produced from other fuels) to electrochemically produce
electrical power. The hazards of fuels, electrical power, machinery, etc. are well understood and addressed by
multiple safety standards and codes for fuel cells and their fuels.
The important safety categories that apply to fuel cell power systems are:
Flammability, Hazardous material, Ventilation, Mechanical, Structural, Electrical, and Electromagnetic.
Fuel cells do not employ radioactive components or materials, nor produce ionizing radiation.
The following categories are addressed by codes and standards for product safety:
o Flammability - Flammable Gas and Liquid
- safety concerns: potential fire, explosion risk
o Protection against fire or explosion hazard addressed by FC 1 for stationary fuel cell systems and FC 3
for portable applications, and repeated in NFPA 853.
o Fire prevention, pressure relief, and leakage containment or venting of fuel storage per NFPA 2, 30, 55,
58, 853.
o Hazardous Material
- safety concerns: inhalation, skin exposure, oral poison, etc.
o Occupational Health & Safety Organization (OSHA) per Code of Federal Regulations 29, Part 1910
(29CFR1910).
o Ventilation and Make-up air
- safety concerns: potential asphyxiation, removal of excess heat
o room ventilation & fuel supply ventilation per OSHA (29CFR1910) and International Building Code (IBC
2012 - Section 717)
o NFPA 853 ventilation requirements for fuel cell power systems.
o Mechanical
- safety concerns: personal injury hazard due to contact with moving parts (fans & louvers), compressed gas
o Addressed by FC 1 & FC 3:
 physical inspection & protection (IEC/ANSI/NEMA 60529 rating: IP2x for indoor or outdoor
applications).
 compliance to NFPA 79 for machine safety.
o rupture risk for compressed gas is addressed by International Fuel Gas Code (reflected by state fire
codes), and NPFA 55.
o Structural
- safety concerns: personal injury hazard due to tipping or movement; physical mounting and structural support
o wind shear and seismic stability analysis and static testing required per ASCE 7 & International
Building Code (IBC 2012- Section 1604).
o Electrical
- safety concerns: shock hazard, discharge hazard, possible ignition source.
hazardous voltages, currents, energy - if touched, insulation & critical spacing to prevent accidental discharges
& resulting molten material, and possible ignition sources for flammable gas.
o Addressed by FC 1 & FC 3 for power generator
 compliance to IEC/UL 60950-1 for electrical spacing & insulation.
o Installation per NFPA 70, especially Article 692 for fuel cell systems.
o Electromagnetic
- safety concerns: unexpected interference and loss of safety controls due to Radio Frequency (RF) energy
o radiated & conducted RF emissions are addressed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
per Code of Federal Regulations 47, Part 15.
Aug. 4, 2014