DOE Creates Open-Access Hydrogen Incident Database
17 May 2006
by Jack Rosebro
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| Servicing a DaimlerChrysler F-Cell vehicle |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has created a public Hydrogen Incidents Database that focuses on characterizing hydrogen-related incidents and near-misses, and the ensuing lessons learned from those events.
DOE is funding the website that hosts the database, which was built and is maintained by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The database currently lists 42 incidents, and another 60 are expected to be added within the next few months.
Names, addresses, companies, dates, and locations are excluded from each record in an effort to encourage contributions.
Proponents of hydrogen-fueled transportation often cite the need to educate the public as one of the cornerstones of the successful buildout of a hydrogen economy. Particular emphasis has been placed on educating the fire service about hydrogen fuels (earlier post), as well as seeking their input.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently changed its compressed natural gas safety standard to an overall gaseous fuel standard, reflecting the increased popularity of compressed hydrogen gas in the transportation industry. NFPA 52 now covers CNG, LNG, and hydrogen.
DOE has also opened a Hydrogen Safety Bibliographic Database, which currently stands at about 300 entries.
Resources:
So DOE finds a reason to sdd a few bureaucrats to count hydrogen incidents. I guess we won't need the DOT and OSHA doing the same thing. Probably NASA too, they use the stuff.
Well I'm glad they don't ignore serious problems.
Posted by: K | 17 May 2006 at 11:46 AM
Bureaucrats subsidized by the almighty oil industry, I'm sure..
Posted by: fyi CO2 | 17 May 2006 at 02:28 PM