NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Regulations, Codes, and 

Standards (RCS) Template for 

California Hydrogen Dispensing 

Stations

C. Rivkin, C. Blake, R. Burgess, W. Buttner, 

and M. Post

Technical Report

NREL/TP-5600-56223

November 2012
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

15013 Denver West Parkway

Golden, Colorado 80401

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Regulations, Codes, and 

Standards (RCS) Template for 

California Hydrogen Dispensing 

Stations 

C. Rivkin, C. Blake, R. Burgess, W. Buttner, 

and M. Post

Prepared under Task No. HT12.7310

Technical Report

NREL/TP-5600-56223

November 2012
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iii

Executive Summary

The purpose of this report is to provide information on codes and standards that would help the 

design and construction and regulatory approval of hydrogen dispensing stations. Although this 

document is directed at California projects, many of the procedures and codes and standards 

requirements are similar in other parts of the United States. The California Environmental 

Quality Regulations are not in effect outside of California, but the Risk Management Plans 

required in California are part of a national program that has very similar requirements across the 

country.

Building hydrogen dispensing stations for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is a critical piece of the 

infrastructure required to support the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on a commercial 

scale. There are fewer than 50 publicly accessible [1] hydrogen dispensing stations in the United 

States as of April 2012 and all of these stations are prototype or developmental stations. They do 

not fuel at the volume of commercial liquid fuel stations. They are dissimilar to the common 

commercial gasoline retail dispensing stations that often contain convenience stores and other 

products sales such as propane as well as multiple dispensers and multiple dispenser islands. 

They also differ from existing retail stations in the relatively low number of vehicles they fuel.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

(EERE) Fuel Cell Technologies Program Safety, Codes and Standards (SCS) Project has as one 

of its objectives the accelerated deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. To achieve 

this objective the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) through direction and funding 

from EERE has developed a template for a commercial hydrogen dispensing stations to 

streamline the project development and permitting process for widespread deployment of 

hydrogen dispensing stations.
iv

Table of Contents

1 Background and Purpose ........................................................................................................ 1

2 The Permitting Process........................................................................................................... 2

3 Permit Templates and Example Permit................................................................................... 4

4 Listing of Codes and Standards for Hydrogen Technologies............................................... 17

5 California Environmental Quality Regulation (CEQA) Requirements................................ 22

6 California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CAL-ARP) Requirements ................. 24

7 References............................................................................................................................. 25
1

1 Background and Purpose

Building hydrogen dispensing stations for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is a critical piece of the 

infrastructure required to support the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on a commercial 

scale. There are fewer than 100 hydrogen dispensing stations in the United States as of April 

2012 and all of these stations are prototype or developmental stations. They are dissimilar to the 

common commercial gasoline retail dispensing stations that often contain convenience stores and 

other products sales such as propane as well as multiple dispensers and multiple dispenser 

islands. They also differ from existing retail station in the relatively low number of vehicles they 

fuel.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

(EERE) Fuel Cell Technologies Program Safety, Codes and Standards (SCS) Project has as one 

of its objectives the accelerated deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. To achieve 

this objective the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) through direction and funding 

from EERE has developed a template for a commercial hydrogen dispensing stations to 

streamline the project development and permitting process for widespread deployment of 

hydrogen dispensing stations.

This template defines the Regulations, Codes, and Standards (RCS) requirements for hydrogen

dispensing stations and the administrative process involved in obtaining the required approvals to 

build and operate a station.

This template contains information on the permitting processes that most project applicants 

would encounter as well as the RCS that their applications would have to meet. This document 

should be helpful to both project developers and code officials. There are elements of this 

document that are specific to California but many of the requirements that a project would have 

to meet are similar in other locations in the United States. The California Fire Code [2] is based 

on the International Fire Code, which is widely used in the United States. Additionally, many 

code officials will require compliance with NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code (as well as 

some of the reference standards shown in this document), which would be the same requirements 

across the United States.

The California-specific portions of this document are the discussion of the California 

Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) [3] and the California Risk Management Plan [4]

requirements, which are based on federal requirements that are in effect across the United States.
2

2 The Permitting Process

The permitting process is actually several processes typically involving multiple permits and 

agencies. The processes are in place to protect public safety, public health, and the environment. 

An example of the permits, agencies, and purposes for these multiple permitting process is 

shown in Table 1.

The permitting processes can be broken down into seven stages which help define the overall 

process and the timeline for completing all of the required components.

1. Preliminary project scoping

2. Station design

3. Approval process

4. Station/dispenser construction

5. Station/dispenser startup

6. Station/dispenser operation

7. Station/dispenser maintenance

The required permits address all of these phases but the permitting structure does not correlate on 

a one to one basis with the with the chronological steps required to build and operate a 

dispensing station. Tables 1 and 2 list elements of the permitting and approval processes. The 

difference between these tables is that there are regulatory agencies that typically issue a permit 

after the applicant has shown compliance with requirements and agencies that approve of an 

applicant’s submission without issuing a permit.

Table 1. Hydrogen Dispensing Station Permitting/Potential Permits Required

Permit Agency Permit/Permit Scope

Construction Building Department Permit to Construct General/Address safety 

construction issues

Drainage Engineering Department Permit to Construct Drainage/Modification to 

sewer drainage

Site grading Engineering Department Permit to Construct Grading/Modification to 

site elevation

Electrical Building/Electrical Department Electrical Permit/Modification to electrical 

service

Demolition Building Department Construction Permit/Demolish structures 

required for dispenser construction

Food services Health Department Food sales

Air emission 

impacts

South Coast Air Quality 

Management District (SCAQMD)

Air Quality Permit or No impact declaration

Fire safety Fire Department Plans Review 

Office

Fire Safety Permit/General fire code 

compliance

Water quality Water Quality Management Agency Liquid discharges to the environment
3

Table 2. Hydrogen Dispensing Station Approvals

Approval Agency Approval Scope

California Environmental Quality 

Act (CEQA) (see overview of 

CEQA attached at the end of this 

document)

Self enforcing although local 

AHJ has first opportunity to 

enforce

CEQA approval or finding of no 

significant impact/ environmental 

agency having jurisdiction

Zoning Local zoning board Zoning approval/allows 

construction and operation at 

defined location

California Accidental Release 

Prevention Program (CAL –

ARP)

Local administering agency (for 

example county health or fire 

department) and U.S. EPA

Approved submission or finding 

of non-applicability/ requires an 

evaluation of the impact of the 

release of a regulated materials 

from the site and a plan in the 

event of a release

The Permit Applicant 

The administrative process for reviewing and approving projects may vary from jurisdiction but 

there are common elements. These basic elements are as follows:

1. Presubmittal review and feedback (optional but highly recommended)

2. Review and feedback to applicant

3. Formal submission of application 

4. Public meeting (on an as needed basis determined by both administrative law and the 

jurisdiction’s determination as to whether public input should be solicited)

5. Make adjustments in the permit application (as needed) based on public input

6. Review of modified application and feedback to application

7. Resubmittal of modified application

8. Issuance of permit

9. Project construction

10. Site inspection to determine that project built as shown in final design plans

11. Periodic inspections to determine ongoing compliance.

The presubmittal review, although not typically required, is a critical step in this process. It is at 

the time that significant problems could be identified and potentially averted. Examples of 

problems that could be averted are: 

1. Identification of problems at the proposed site that the applicant is not aware of

2. Identification of requirements the project must meet that the applicant had not evaluated 

in the draft application

3. Any history of issues with similar projects in the jurisdiction.
4

3 Permit Templates and Example Permit

Template 1 – Hydrogen Dispenser Added to Existing Fueling Station

For this template a single dispenser is added to an existing fueling station. In all California 

jurisdictions, the California Fire Code is the enforced fire code. The addition of a single 

dispenser still will trigger construction requirements. The dispenser will require at least the 

following elements:

• A dispensing platform 

• Vehicle crash protection 

• Electrical service

• Hydrogen storage or generation equipment or both for dispenser that has hydrogen 

generating and storage capability

• Lighting

• Compressors to compress the hydrogen to vehicle storage pressure

• Dispenser with fueling hose and nozzle

• Piping from the gaseous hydrogen storage system to the dispenser

• Fire protection system

• Maintenance system

• Unique construction requirements such as handicapped parking requirements.
5

Note that the citations associated with the code requirements are the International Fire Code’s numbering system.

California Fire Code 2012 edition

Item Code citations Compliance issues

General requirements 2309.3.1.1 Outdoors. Generation, compression, or

storage equipment shall be allowed outdoors in 

accordance with Chapter 58.

Requiring the equipment be located outdoors 

will allow any releases to disperse and dilute 

rapidly 

Dispensing platform 2309.4.1 Dispensing systems. Dispensing systems shall

be equipped with an overpressure protection device set at

140 percent of the service pressure of the fueling nozzle 

it supplies.

This section gives a few general 

requirements for the dispenser-primarily 

gives the overpressure limit

Vehicle crash protection and fueling area 2309.5.1 Protection from vehicles. Guard posts or other

approved means shall be provided to protect hydrogen

storage systems and use areas subject to vehicular 

damage in accordance with Section 312.

2309.5.1.1 Vehicle fueling pad. The vehicle shall be

fueled on noncoated concrete or other approved paving

material having a resistance not exceeding 1 megohm as 

determined by the methodology specified in EN 1081.

Electrical service 2309.2.3 Electrical equipment. Electrical installations

shall be in accordance with NFPA 70.

NFPA 2 will set electrical classification 

zones around dispensers

Hydrogen storage or generation 

equipment or both for dispenser that has 

hydrogen generating and storage 

capability

2309.2 Equipment. Equipment used for the generation, 

compression, storage or dispensing of hydrogen shall be 

designed for the specific application in accordance with 

Sections 2309.2.1 through 2309.2.3.

2309.2.1 Approved equipment. Cylinders, containers 

and tanks; pressure relief devices, including pressure 

valves; hydrogen vaporizers; pressure regulators ; and 

piping used for gaseous hydrogen systems shall be 

designed and constructed in accordance with Chapters 

53, 55 and 58.

Currently there are very few listed 

components for hydrogen dispensing 

systems. As a result of the absence of listed 

equipment, the system would have to go 

through the approval process by the AHJ.

The AHJ may seek the assistance of a third 

party hydrogen safety expert to perform the 

review of the system and components.
6

2309.2.2 Listed or approved equipment. Hoses, hose

connections, compressors, hydrogen generators, 

dispensers, detection systems and electrical equipment 

used for hydrogen shall be listed or approved for use 

with hydrogen. Hydrogen motor-fueling connections 

shall be listed and labeled or approved for use with 

hydrogen.

2309.3.1.3 Gaseous hydrogen storage. Storage of 

gaseous hydrogen shall be in accordance with Chapters 

53 and 58.

2309.3.1.4 Liquefied hydrogen storage. Storage of

liquefied hydrogen shall be in accordance with Chapters

55 and 58.

The components most directly in contact 

with the individual performing the fueling 

operation are of particular concern. These 

components would include the dispenser 

nozzle and hose. A hose or nozzle failure 

could result in an injury to the individual 

performing the fueling operation. At a retail 

fueling facility, this individual could be any 

member of the public purchasing fuel or 

proximate to the fueling operation.

Lighting Must meet NEC requirements

Compressors to compress the hydrogen 

to vehicle storage pressure

2309.2 Equipment. Equipment used for the generation, 

compression, storage or dispensing of hydrogen shall be 

designed for the specific application in accordance with 

Sections 2309.2.1 through 2309.2.3.

2309.2.1 Approved equipment. Cylinders, containers 

and tanks; pressure relief devices, including pressure 

valves; hydrogen vaporizers; pressure regulators; and 

piping used for gaseous hydrogen systems shall be 

designed and constructed in accordance with Chapters 

53, 55 and 58.

2309.2.2 Listed or approved equipment. Hoses, hose

connections, compressors, hydrogen generators, 

dispensers, detection systems and electrical equipment 

used for hydrogen shall be listed or approved for use 

with hydrogen. Hydrogen motor-fueling connections 

shall be listed and labeled or approved for use with 

hydrogen.

The chapters referred to in this section 

specify requirements as follows:

Chapter 53 Compressed Gases

Chapter 55 Cryogenic Fluids

Chapter 58 Flammable Gases and 

Flammable Cryogenic Fluids

Dispenser with fueling hose and nozzle 2309.2 Equipment. Equipment used for the generation, 

compression, storage or dispensing of hydrogen shall be 
7

designed for the specific application in accordance with 

Sections 2309.2.1 through 2309.2.3.

2309.2.1 Approved equipment. Cylinders, containers 

and tanks; pressure relief devices, including pressure 

valves; hydrogen vaporizers; pressure regulators; and 

piping used for gaseous hydrogen systems shall be 

designed and constructed in accordance with Chapters 

53, 55 and 58.

2309.2.2 Listed or approved equipment. Hoses, hose

connections, compressors, hydrogen generators, 

dispensers, detection systems and electrical equipment 

used for hydrogen shall be listed or approved for use 

with hydrogen. Hydrogen motor-fueling connections 

shall be listed and labeled or approved for use with 

hydrogen.

Piping from the gaseous hydrogen 

storage system to the dispenser

Piping shall be in accordance with ASME B31.12 

hydrogen Pipelines and Piping

704.1.2 Piping systems. Piping, tubing, valves and 

fittings conveying gaseous hydrogen shall be designed 

and installed in accordance with Sections 704.1.2.1 

through 704.1.2.5.1, Chapter 27 of the International Fire

Code, and ASME B31.3. Cast-iron pipe, valves and 

fittings shall not be used.

Cast iron pipe is particularly susceptible to 

hydrogen embrittlement and failure.

Fire protection system 2309.3.1.5.2 Fire-extinguishing systems. Fueldispensing areas under canopies shall be equipped

throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system 

in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. The design of the 

sprinkler system shall not be less than that required for 

Extra Hazard Group 2 occupancies. Operation of the 

sprinkler system shall activate the emergency functions 

of Sections 2309.3.1.5.3 and 2309.3.1.5.4.

2309.3.1.5.3 Emergency discharge. Operation of the 

automatic sprinkler system shall activate an automatic 

emergency discharge system, which will discharge the 

hydrogen gas from the equipment on the canopy top 

Note that fuel dispensing that is not 

conducted under a canopy does not require 

the use of an approved automatic sprinkler 

system. However, there still may be a safety 

basis for install a sprinkler system.

The AHJ may require manual release of the 

stored hydrogen. Also, the AHJ may allow 

for the use of manual release instead of the 

use of an automatic sprinkler system.
8 

through the vent pipe system.

2309.3.1.5.4 Emergency shutdown control. Operation

of the automatic sprinkler system shall activate the 

emergency shutdown control required by Section

2309.5.3.

Maintenance system 2309.3.1.2.1 Maintenance. Gaseous hydrogen systems

and detection devices shall be maintained in accordance 

with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Maintenance is critical particularly for high 

pressure gas dispensing systems where 

detecting a system disturbance before it 

develops into a more serious problem.

Ignition control 2309.3.1.2.2 Smoking. Smoking shall be prohibited in 

hydrogen cutoff rooms. “No Smoking” signs shall be 

provided at all entrances to hydrogen cutoff rooms.

2309.3.1.2.3 Ignition source control. Open flames,

flame-producing devices and other sources of ignition

shall be controlled in accordance with Chapter 58.

2309.3.1.2.4 Housekeeping. 

Hydrogen cutoff room shall be kept free from 

combustible debris and storage.

Hydrogen has an ignition energy of XX 

which means that it can be easily ignited.

Emergency shutoff 2309.5 Safety precautions. Safety precautions at 

hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generation facilities 

shall be in accordance with Sections 2309.5.1 through 

2309.5.3.1.

2309.5.2 Emergency shutoff valves. A manual 

emergency shutoff valve shall be provided to shut down 

the flow of gas from the hydrogen supply to the piping 

system.

2309.5.2.1 Identification. Manual emergency shutoff

valves shall be identified and the location shall be clearly 

visible, accessible and indicated by means of a sign.

2309.5.3 Emergency shutdown controls. In addition to

the manual emergency shutoff valve required by Section

2309.5.2, a remotely located, manually activated 

emergency shutdown control shall be provided. An 

Shutting down the gas flow in the event of 

an upset condition is critical. Until the gas 

flow is shut down fuel is being fed to a 

potential release point.

The 75 foot distance will allow the 

activation of the emergency shutdown valve 
9 

emergency shutdown control shall be located within 75 

feet (22 860 mm) of, but not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) 

from, dispensers and hydrogen generators.

2309.5.3.1 System requirements. Activation of the

emergency shutdown control shall automatically shut off 

the power supply to all hydrogen storage, compression

and dispensing equipment; shut off natural gas or other 

fuel supply to the hydrogen generator; and close valves 

between the main supply and the compressor and 

between the storage containers and dispensing equipment

without unduly exposing the individual 

performing the shut down to the hazards 

associated with a hydrogen release.

Unique construction requirements 2309.3.1.5 Canopy tops. Gaseous hydrogen compression

and storage equipment located on top of motor fueldispensing facility canopies shall be in accordance with 

Sections 2309.3.1.5.1 through 2309.3.1.5.5, Chapters 53 

and 58 and the International Fuel Gas Code. 

2309.3.1.5.1 Construction. Canopies shall be 

constructed in accordance with the motor fuel-dispensing

facility canopy requirements of Section 406.7 of the 

International Building Code. 

2309.3.1.5.5 Signage. Approved signage having 2- inch 

(51 mm) block letters shall be affixed at approved 

locations on the exterior of the canopy structure stating: 

CANOPY TOP HYDROGEN STORAGE.

2309.3.2 Canopies. Dispensing equipment need not be

separated from canopies of Type I or II construction that

are constructed in a manner that prevents the 

accumulation of hydrogen gas and in accordance with 

Section 406.7 of the International Building Code.

This provision allows for canopy mounted 

equipment. Early installations employing 

canopy mounted equipment have proven to 

be very expensive in part because of the 

construction and material cost associated 

with supporting heavy equipment.
10

Template 2 – Stand Alone Hydrogen Dispensing Station

The initial deployment of hydrogen dispensing capability will more likely be single dispensers 

added to existing fueling facilities. As hydrogen dispensing deployment progresses, dedicated 

hydrogen fueling stations will be built. These stations will have additional components that a 

single dispenser station will not have. A station with a single dispenser will likely have a high 

pressure gas storage system to supply the dispenser. A stand-alone hydrogen dispensing station 

would likely have the following additional components:

a. Cryogenic liquefied hydrogen storage

b. Evaporation equipment to convert liquefied hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen

c. Bank of gaseous hydrogen storage tanks

d. A convenience store for selling cigarettes, alcohol, and other high profit margin items.
11

California Building Code

406.5.2.1 Canopies used to support gaseous hydrogen

systems. Canopies that are used to shelter dispensing operations 

where flammable compressed gases are located on the roof of 

the canopy shall be in accordance with the following:

1. The canopy shall meet or exceed Type I construction

Requirements. 

2. Operations located under canopies shall be limited to 

refueling only.

3. The canopy shall be constructed in a manner that prevents the 

accumulation of hydrogen gas

California Fire Code The requirements shown previously would apply with the 

addition of cryogenic storage requirements found in 

Section 5806 Flammable Cryogenic Fluids

Above Ground Tank Requirements 5806.3 Above-ground tanks for liquid hydrogen. 

Aboveground tanks for the storage of liquid hydrogen shall be 

in accordance with Sections 5806.3 through 5806.3.2.1.

5806.3.1 Construction of the inner vessel. The inner vessel of 

storage tanks in liquid hydrogen service shall be designed and 

constructed in accordance with Section VIII, Division 1, of the 

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and shall be vacuum 

jacketed in accordance with Section 5806.3.2.

5806.3.2 Construction of the vacuum jacket (outer vessel).

The vacuum jacket used as an outer vessel for storage tanks in 

liquid hydrogen service shall be of welded steel construction 

designed to withstand the maximum internal and external 

pressure to which it will be subjected under operating 

conditions to include conditions of emergency pressure relief of 

the annular space between the inner and outer vessel. The jacket 

shall be designed to withstand a minimum collapsing pressure 

differential of 30 psi (207 kPa).

5806.3.2.1 Vacuum-level monitoring. A connection shall be 
12

provided on the exterior of the vacuum jacket to allow 

measurement of the pressure within the annular space between 

the inner and outer vessel. The connection shall be fitted with a 

bellows-sealed or diaphragm-type valve equipped with a 

vacuum gauge tube that is shielded to protect against damage 

from impact.

Underground Tanks 5806.4 Underground tanks for liquid hydrogen. Underground

tanks for the storage of liquid hydrogen shall be in accordance 

with Sections 5806.4.1 through 5806.4.8.3.

5806.4.1 Construction. Storage tanks for liquid hydrogen shall 

be designed and constructed in accordance with ASME Boiler 

and Pressure Vessel Code (Section VIII, Division 1) and shall 

be vacuum jacketed in accordance with Section 5806.4.8.

5806.4.2 Location. Storage tanks shall be located outside in 

accordance with the following:

1. Tanks and associated equipment shall be located with respect 

to foundations and supports of other structures such that the 

loads carried by the latter cannot be transmitted to the tank.

2. The distance from any part of the tank to the nearest wall of a 

basement, pit, cellar or lot line shall not be less than 3 feet (914 

mm).

3. A minimum distance of 1 foot (305 mm), shell to shell, shall 

be maintained between underground tanks.

5806.4.3 Depth, cover and fill. The tank shall be buried such 

that the top of the vacuum jacket is covered with a minimum of 

1 foot (305 mm) of earth and with concrete a minimum of 4 

inches (102 mm) thick placed over the earthen cover. The 

concrete shall extend a minimum of 1 foot (305 mm) 

horizontally beyond the footprint of the tank in all directions. 

Underground tanks shall be set on firm foundations constructed 

in accordance with the International Building Code and 

surrounded with at least 6 inches (152 mm) of noncorrosive 

inert material, such as sand.

Exception: The vertical extension of the vacuum jacket as 

required for service connections.
13

5806.4.4 Anchorage and security. Tanks and systems shall be 

secured against accidental dislodgement in accordance with this 

chapter.

5806.4.5 Venting of underground tanks. Vent pipes for

underground storage tanks shall be in accordance with Section 

5503.3.

5806.4.6 Underground liquid hydrogen piping. Underground

liquid hydrogen piping shall be vacuum jacketed or protected by 

approved means and designed in accordance with Chapter 55.

5806.4.7 Overfill protection and prevention systems. An 

approved means or method shall be provided to prevent the 

overfill of all storage tanks.

5806.4.8 Vacuum jacket construction. The vacuum jacket 

shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section 

VIII of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and shall be 

designed to withstand the anticipated loading, including loading 

from vehicular traffic, where applicable. Portions of the vacuum 

jacket installed below grade shall be designed to withstand 

anticipated soil, seismic and hydrostatic loading.

5806.4.8.1 Material. The vacuum jacket shall be constructed of 

stainless steel or other approved corrosion resistant

material.

5806.4.8.2 Corrosion protection. The vacuum jacket shall be 

protected by approved or listed corrosion-resistant materials or 

an engineered cathodic protection system. Where cathodic 

protection is utilized, an approved maintenance schedule shall 

be established. Exposed components shall be inspected at least 

twice a year. Maintenance and inspection events shall be 

recorded and those records shall be maintained on the premises

for a minimum of three years and made available to the fire 

code official upon request.

5806.4.8.3 Vacuum-level monitoring. An approved method 

shall be provided to indicate loss of vacuum within the vacuum 

jacket(s).
14

Example Permit

Jurisdiction of __________________, _____________(state)

Building/ Fire Permit For Hydrogen Dispensing Installation 

Compliance with the following permit will allow the construction and operation of a hydrogen 

dispensing installation in the _________________ jurisdiction. This permit addresses the 

following situations:

1. The addition of a hydrogen dispensing and storage system to an existing fueling station

2. TBD

This permit contains a general reference to the California fire and Building Codes or equivalent 

codes used in the jurisdiction. All work and installed equipment will comply with the 

requirements of XXXX code used in the jurisdiction. The jurisdiction maintains the 

authority/responsibility to conduct any inspections deemed necessary to protect public safety. 

Section 1 of the permit application requires basic identifying information be submitted.

Section 2 of the permit application identifies which code requirements need to be complied with 

depending on whether the dispenser is being added to an existing station or whether the 

dispenser is at a new stand alone station.

The technical installation requirements address the following specific elements of station safety:

A. Approval/listing and labeling requirements

B. Piping code compliance

C. Storage vessel stamps/approval

Section 3 consists of a standard certification statement that could be modified as needed by the 

jurisdiction. By signing the certification statement the applicant agrees to comply with the 

standard permit conditions and other applicable requirements. This consent would give the 

jurisdiction the option of allowing the applicant to proceed with installation and operation of the 

dispensing equipment.

Section 4 of the document gives an example of a checklist the jurisdiction could develop to track 

key information on the application. The example under section 4 contains only a few items of the 

many that the jurisdiction might wish to track.

This permit package also includes a schematic drawing depicting a typical installation. The 

purpose of the schematic is only to show how the station equipment could be arranged and is not 

intended to convey any permit requirements.
15

Section 2: Sample Permit Structure

Topic Permit Requirements

Siting Do storage and dispenser systems meet separation 

distance requirements?

Mechanical Is equipment listed or approved?

-Valves

-Pressure Relief Devices (PRDs)

-Piping

-Containers

-Hoses

-Nozzles

Electrical Is equipment proximate to dispenser classified?

Maintenance Have maintenance requirements been defined in permit 

application?

Is there documentation required?

Emergency response Are E-stops accessible?

Do they have a plan?

Are personnel trained?

Is communications with the Fire Department and other 

emergency responders clearly defined?

Sensors Do sensors detect releases or upset conditions?

Is the information from sensors conveyed to the 

process equipment, operators, and Fire Department?

Section 3: Owner Responsibility Statement

Section 4: Jurisdiction Checklist

I hereby certify that the electrical work described on this permit application shall be/has been installed 

in compliance with the conditions in this permit, NFPA 70, National Electric Code, and the Fire Code 

currently adopted and enforced within the jurisdiction of installation. By agreeing to the above 

requirements, the licensee or owner shall be permitted to construct and operate the charging station.

Signature of Owner Date

Information each Jurisdiction would add to permit such as:

1. Unique requirements in the jurisdiction such as seismic requirements

2. Summary of California Risk Management Plan (RMP) analysis if subject to RMP

3. Summary of California Environmental Quality Act Compliance (CEQA) Analysis 
16

This graphic illustrates the addition of a hydrogen dispenser to an existing fueling station.

Schematic of a Typical Hydrogen Dispensing Station with Single Dispenser
17

4 Listing of Codes and Standards for Hydrogen Technologies

Table 3 gives a listing of documents that are required by law in California and also lists codes 

and standards that may be relevant to a project and could be enforced by an Authority Having 

Jurisdiction (AHJ) based on specific safety considerations.
18

Table 3. Codes and Standards for Hydrogen Technologies

California codes and ICC codes adopted by the State of California and enforced as law in the State of California

California Building Code333

406.5.2.1 Canopies used to support gaseous hydrogen systems. 

Canopies that are used to shelter dispensing operations where 

flammable compressed gases are located on the roof of the canopy 

shall be in accordance with the following:

1. The canopy shall meet or exceed Type I construction

requirements. 

2. Operations located under canopies shall be limited to refueling 

only.

3. The canopy shall be constructed in a manner that prevents the 

accumulation of hydrogen gas

California Fire Code See information shown previously.

ICC Documents 

Code Topic

International Building Code (IBC)

International Fire Code (IFC)

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

International Fuel gas Code (IFGC)

Key reference documents that are not directly adopted as law in the State of California

NFPA 2 and Related Documents NFPA 2 is a comprehensive hydrogen technologies code. It covers 

vehicle fueling and infrastructure as well as hydrogen storage.

It will likely be referenced in the 2015 IFC and eventually 

referenced in the CFC.

Code Topic

NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code (UFC) The NFPA 1 UFC is used in roughly 25% of the states- primarily in 

the Northeastern portion of the US.

NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code NFPA 2 covers almost all aspects of hydrogen technologies 

infrastructure including hydrogen dispensing and vehicle 

maintenance. The first edition was promulgated in 2011 and 

included extract materials from NFPA 55, NFPA 853, and NFPA 52.
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NFPA 70 National Electric Code (NEC) The NEC sets requirements for the classified areas in the dispensing 

requirements.

Standards Documents

CSA Standards

CSA America HGV 4.1 -2012 Final standard for 

Hydrogen Dispensing Systems

This document covers the complete dispensing system.

CSA America HGV 4.2 -2012 Final standard for hoses 

for compressed hydrogen fuel stations, dispensers, and 

vehicle fuel systems

Standard for listing hoses for high pressure hydrogen dispensing.

CSA America HGV 4.3 -20012 Final standard Fueling 

Station Parameter Safety

Standard for evaluating station performance as defined in SAE 

J2601.

CSA America HGV 4.4 -20012 Final standard for 

breakaway devices for compressed hydrogen dispensing 

hoses and systems

Standard for evaluating devices to be used in conjunction with CSA 

4.2.

CSA America HGV 4.5 -20012 Final standard for 

priority and sequencing equipment for hydrogen vehicle 

fueling

CSA America HGV 4.6 -2009 TIR for manually 

operated valves for use in gaseous hydrogen vehicle 

fueling stations

CSA America HGV 4.7 -2009 TIR for automatic valves 

for use in gaseous hydrogen vehicle fueling stations

CSA America HGV 4.10 -2008 TIR for performance of 

fittings for compressed hydrogen gas and hydrogen rich 

gas mixtures

CSA Standards HPRD-1-2009 TIR for pressure relief 

devices for compressed hydrogen vehicle fuel containers
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UL Standards

UL 2075 Standard for Safety Gas and Vapor Detectors 

and Sensors

These requirements cover toxic and combustible gas and vapor 

detectors and sensors intended to be portable or employed in indoor 

or outdoor locations in accordance with the National Electrical Code, 

NFPA 70. A gas detector and/or sensor and/or vapor detector, as 

covered by these requirements, consists of an assembly of electrical 

components coupled with a sensing means inside a chamber, or by 

separate components to detect toxic and/or combustible gases or 

vapors. The detector includes provision for the connection to a 

source of power and signaling circuits.

CGA Standards

H-1 Service Conditions for Portable, Reversible Metal 

Hydride Systems

http://www.cganet.com/customer/publication_detail.aspx?id=H-1

H-2 Guidelines for the Classification and Labeling of 

Hydrogen Storage Systems with Hydrogen 

http://www.cganet.com/customer/publication_detail.aspx?id=H-2

H-3 Cryogenic Hydrogen Storage http://www.cganet.com/customer/publication_detail.aspx?id=H-3

H-4 Terminology Associated with Hydrogen Fuel 

Technologies

http://www.cganet.com/customer/publication_detail.aspx?id=H-4

H-5 Installation Standards for Bulk Hydrogen Supply 

Systems

CGA S-1.1

Pressure Relief Device Standards-Part 1-Cylinders 

for Compressed Gases, Fourteenth Edition 

Edition: 14th 

Compressed Gas Association / 01-Nov-2011 / 49 pages 

CGA S-1.2

Pressure Relief Device Standards - Part 2 - Cargo 

and Portable Tanks for Compressed Gases 

Edition: 9th 

Compressed Gas Association / 18-Mar-2009 / 35 pages 

CGA S-1.3-2008

Pressure Relief Device Standards-Part 3-Stationary 

Storage Containers for Compressed Gases

The purpose of this standard is to complement the 

requirements of various regulations, codes, standards, 

or specifications applicable to storage containers for 
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compressed gases. In case of conflict, the requirements 

of the regulations, codes, standards, or specifications of 

the authorities having jurisdiction over such containers 

shall apply. It is recommended that containers 

fabricated after December 31, 1995, use PRDs that 

meet the requirements of this edition of CGA S-1.3

ASME Standards

ASME B31.12 Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines Code for the design of hydrogen piping systems that was developed 

from ASME B31.3- the code used extensively for industrial piping 

systems.

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPV) Sets requirements for storage vessels including vessels used on 

vehicles- although its primary application is for fixed storage 

vessels.

SAE Standards

SAE J2579 Vehicle Fuel Systems This standard covers the vehicle fuel storage system. Many of the 

requirements of this standard form the basis of the Global Technical 

Regulation (GTR) for fuel cell vehicles.

SAE J2601 Fueling Protocol The standard sets station performance requirements for hydrogen 

dispensing over a range of temperatures and pressures.
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5 California Environmental Quality Regulation (CEQA) 

Requirements

Summary of Key Requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act 

(CEQA)

Background. The CEQA Statute (Res. Code §21000 et seq) was promulgated in 1970 to protect 

the environment from the potential adverse impacts of projects. The act was implemented 

through the CEQA Guidelines which are regulations that explain and interpret the law. They are 

found in CCR Title 14 Chapter 3. Projects are generally construction projects but also include 

programs, such as a change in zoning requirements that would allow different types of 

construction that could result in an environmental impact. Figure 1 describes the process flow for 

compliance with the CEQA regulations.

Applicability. CEQA applies to projects undertaken by state and local agencies or a private 

entity for which they must receive some discretionary approval. For example, adding a piece of 

equipment that requires a permit from an Air Quality Management District would be considered 

discretionary approval.

Basic Requirements. Projects must be evaluated for significant environmental impacts and 

grouped into one of the following three categories:

1. The project has no significant environmental impacts

2. The project as initially proposed has significant environmental impacts but has been 

modified to eliminate those impacts. For example the project as initially proposed 

resulted in the discharge of a pollutant to the environment. The project was modified to 

eliminate the use of a materials that that would result in a discharge to the environment. 

Therefore, the project has no environmental impact.

3. The project will have a significant environmental impact and an Environmental Impact 

Report (EIR) has been produced describing measures taken to reduce impacts and the 

effects of the residual impacts.

Enforcement. CEQA is a self-executing statute which means that no one agency has 

responsibility for enforcing the statute.

Exemptions. There are both statutory exemptions and categorical exemption as defined by the 

Secretary of the Resources Agency.

1. A comprehensive list of statutory exemptions is found in Article 18 of the CEQA 

guidelines. Most of these exemptions are listed in Section 15282 of the Guidelines

2. Categorical exemptions are found in Article 19 of the CEQA Guidelines. Categorical 

exemptions are not absolute and there exceptions to these exemptions that are found in 

Section 15300.2 of the Guidelines.
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Figure 1. CEQA process flow chart
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6 California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CAL-ARP) 

Requirements

California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CAL-ARP)

The CAL–ARP program is the Federal Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations promulgated 

by the USEPA under with additional California requirements that include an expanded list of 

regulated materials.

The basic purpose of the program is to reduce the risk to the public of dangerous materials used 

in commercial activities by providing information to first responders so that they can safety 

resolve any incidents involving dangerous materials.

The basic requirements of the program are the preparation of document by a facility owner that 

includes at least the following elements:

• Regulated substances held onsite at the stationary source

• Offsite consequences of an accidental release of a regulated substance

• The accident history at the stationary source

• The emergency response program for the stationary source

• Coordination with local emergency responders

• Hazard review or process hazard analysis

• Operating procedures at the stationary source

• Training of the stationary source's personnel

• Maintenance and mechanical integrity of the stationary source's physical plant

• Incident investigation.

Organizations that meet the following criteria must submit a plan:

An owner or operator of a stationary source that has more than a threshold 

quantity of a regulated substance (listed in Tables 1-3, Title 19 § 2770.5) in a 

process may have to complete and submit a risk management plan. Also, any 

facility the enforcing authority determines poses a significant risk, may be 

required to submit a plan under the due diligence clause in the regulations.
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7 References

1. Hydrogen Fueling Station Locations, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, 

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_locations.html

2. California Fire Code text, http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/

3. California Environmental Quality Act text, http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/stat/

4. Regulation text of California Risk Management Plan Regulations,

http://calarp.com/CalARP%20Regs.pdf