Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Fire Services
Storage and Handling of Gaseous and Liquefied Hydrogen Systems
Part 2 - STORAGE AND HANDLING OF GASEOUS HYDROGEN NFPA 50A
Chapter 3 - Location of Gaseous Hydrogen Systems
Section R. 29.7034 - Specific requirements
Current through Vol. 24-16, September 15, 2024
Rule 34. Sections 3-2.1, 3-2.4, 3-2.5, and table 3-2.1 are reproduced from NFPA 50A, and table 3-2.2, sections 3-2.2, 3-2.3 and 3-2.6 to 3-2.9 of the storage and handling of gaseous and Liquefied H2 code are added as follows:
3-2 Specific requirements.
3-2.1 The location of a system, as determined by the maximum total contained volume of H2, shall be in the order of preference as indicated by Roman numerals in table 3-2.1.
Table 3-2.1
Preferred Locations of Gaseous Hydrogen Systems
| Nature of Location | Size of Hydrogen System | ||
| Less than 3500 scf (99 m3) | 3500 scf to 15,000 scf (99 m3 to 425 m3) | In Excess of 15,000 scf (425 m 3) | |
| Outdoors | I | I | I |
| In a separate building | II | II | II |
| In a special room | III | III | Not permitted |
| Inside buildings not in a special room or exposed to other occupancies | IV | Not permitted | Not permitted |
3-2.2 The minimum distance in feet from an H2 system of indicated capacity located either outdoors, in separate buildings, or in special rooms to any specified outdoor exposure shall be in accordance with table 3-2.2. The distances in numbers 1, 3 to 10, and 14 inclusive in table 3-2.2 shall not apply where protective structures having a minimum fire resistance rating of 2 hours are located between the system and the exposure.
(a) An aboveground H2 storage container system shall be erected per table 3-2.2, but not less than 50 feet (22.9 meters), from any of the following:
A school.
A church.
A hospital. A theater.
Assembly occupancy for 50 or more persons.
Exception: The restrictions in section 3-2.2(a) shall not apply to an aboveground H2 system used exclusively for stationary power generation.
Table 3-2.2
Minimum Distance from Outdoor Gaseous Hydrogen Systems to Exposures
| Total Gaseous Hydrogen Storage | |||
| Type of Outdoor Exposure | Less than 3500 scf (99 m3) Feet (meter) | 3500 scf to 15,000 scf (99 m3 to 425 m3) Feet (meter) | In excess of 15,000 scf (425 m3) Feet (meter) |
| 1. Building or structure (a) Wall(s) adjacent to system constructed of noncombustible or limited&combustible materials | |||
| (1) Sprinklered building or structure or unsprinklered building or structure having noncombustible contents | 0a (0) | 5a (1.5) | 5a (1.5) |
| (2) Unsprinklered building or structure with combustible contents Adjacent wall(s) with fire resistance rating less than 2 hoursb | 0c (0) | 10 (3.1) | 25d (7.6) |
| Adjacent wall(s) with fire resistance rating of 2 hours or greaterb | 0 (0) | 5 (1.5) | 5 (1.5) |
| (b) Wall(s) adjacent to system constructed of other than noncombustible or limited&combustible materials | 10 (3.1) | 25 (7.6) | 50d (15.2) |
| 2. Wall openings | |||
| (a) Not above any part of a system | 10 (3.1) | 10 (3.1) | 10 (3.1) |
| (b) Above any part of a system | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) |
| 3. All classes of flammable and combustible liquids above ground | 10 (3.1) | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) |
| (a) 0-1000 gal (3785L) | |||
| (b) In excess of 1000 gal (3785L) | 25 (7.6) | 50 (15.2) | 50 (15.2) |
| 4. All classes of flammable and combustible liquids below ground | |||
| 0-100 gal (3785L)e | 10 (3.1) | 10 (3.1) | 10 (3.1) |
| (a) Tank | ||||
| (b) Vent or fill opening of tank | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | |
| 5. All classes of flammable and combustible liquids below ground in excess of 1000 gal (3785L)e (a) Tank | 20 (6.1) | 20 (6.1) | 20 (6.1) | |
| (b) Vent of fill opening of tank | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | |
| 6. Flammable gas storage (other than H2), either high pressure or low pressure (a) 0&15,000 scf (255 me) capacity | 10 (3.1) | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | |
| (b) In excess of 15,000 scf (255 me) capacity | 25 (7.6) | 50 (15.2) | 50 (15.2) | |
| 7. Oxygen storage (a) 20,000 scf (566 me) or less | Refer to NFPA 51, Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen&Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes | |||
| (b) More than 20,000 scf (566 me) | Refer to NFPA 55, Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids in Portable and Stationary Containers, Cylinders, and Tanks | |||
| 8. Fast&burning solids such as ordinary lumber, excelsior, or paper | 50 (15.2) | 50 (15.2) | 5 0 (15.2) 2 5 (7.6) 2 5 (7.6) 5 0 (15.2) 5 0 (15.2) 1 5 (4.6) 5 (1.5) 1 0 (3.1) 1 5 (4.6) 5 0 (15.2) | |
| 9. Slow&burning solids such as heavy timber or coal | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | ||
| 10. Open flames and welding | 25 (7.6) | 25 (7.6) | ||
| 11. Air compressor intakes or inlets to ventilating or air&conditioning equipment | 50 (15.2) | 50 (15.2) | ||
| 12. Places of public assembly less than 50 people | 25 (7.6) | 50 (15.2) | ||
| 13 Public sidewalks and parked vehicles | 15 (4.6) | 15 (4.6) | ||
| 14 Line of adjoining property that can be built upon | 5 (1.5) | 5 (1.5) | ||
| 15. Flammable/Combustible liquid dispenser | 10 (3.1) | 10 (3.1) | ||
| 16. Public Way, driveway | 15 (4.6) | 15 (4.6) | ||
| 17. Railroad | 50 (15.2) | 50 (15.2) | ||
| a Portions of wall less than 10 ft (3m) (measured horizontally) from any part of a system shall have a fire resistance rating of at least 1/2 hour. bExclusive of windows and doors (see number 2 of Table 3&2.2). cPortions of walls less than 10 ft (3m) (measured horizontally) from any part of a system shall have a fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour. dBut not less than 1/2 the height of adjacent wall of building or structure. | ||||
| eDistances can be reduced to 15 ft (4.5m) for Class IIIB combustible liquids. |
3-2.2.1 Loose or piled combustible material and weeds and long dry grass shall not be within 10 feet (3.1 meters) of any system.
Roof top storage.
Construction of the building/roof that carries the load of the storage tank must carry a minimum 1-hour fire rating.
System must be securely mounted to roof.
System must be located to allow for inspection of the system acceptable to the department based on the best interest of public health, safety, and welfare and the environment.
3-2.3 Unloading connections on delivery equipment shall not be positioned closer to any of the exposures cited in table 3-2.2 than the distances given for the storage system.
(a) H2 transfer between cargo transport vehicle and stationary container systems (single or multiple containers utilizing a common or manifolded transfer line), shall comply with all of the following:
(b) The delivery vehicle shall be located so that all parts of the vehicle are on the premises when delivery is made. Check valves shall be located as close to the container as practical.
3-2.4 H2 systems of less than 3500 scf (99 m3), where located inside buildings and exposed to other occupancies, shall be situated in the building so that the system will be as follows:
Exception: The separation distance between multiple systems of 3500 scf (99 cubic meters) or less shall be permitted to be reduced to 25 feet (7.6 meters) in buildings where the occupancy between storage areas is free of combustible materials and protected with a sprinkler system designed for Ordinary Hazard, Group 1 occupancies or Light Hazard occupancies in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
3-2.6 An owner and operator shall ensure that a container system, which is underground, mounded, or partially underground, is protected from corrosion by 1 of the following:
3-2.7 Out-of-service aboveground containers.
Containers that are no longer in service for a period of 12 months shall be closed. To close the aboveground container, the owner or operator shall empty the container, purge it with an inert gas and safeguard it against tampering. Piping that is removed from service shall be purged with nitrogen and capped or removed.
3-2.7.2 Each container that is to be reused at the original location or a new location shall be purged with an inert gas and be in compliance with all the requirements for the installation of a new container, and shall be recertified by the manufacturer or authorized representative, and tested in accordance with the container's design specifications or be pressure tested with an inert gas or H2 at 1.1 times the MAWP for not less than 10 minutes. Piping that is to be reused shall comply with all the requirements for the installation of new piping and shall be tested in compliance with section 3-2.9 of this code prior to being brought back into service.
3-2.8 Out-of-service underground, mounded, and partially buried containers.
3-2.8.1 Containers that are no longer used to store H2 and are not intended to be brought back into service shall be permanently closed. To permanently close the container, the container shall be emptied and purged with an inert gas to render the container free of H2, and then the container shall be removed from the ground. When a structure above or near the container prevents removal, the container shall be emptied and purged with an inert gas to render the container free of H2, then the container shall be filled with an inert solid material. Piping that is permanently removed from service shall be purged with an inert gas and capped or removed.
3-2.8.2 Containers may be rendered temporarily out-of-service only when it is intended they be brought back into service at a later date. To temporarily close a container, all of the following requirements shall be met:
3-2.8.2.1 Each container that is temporarily out of service for greater than 12 months shall be pressure tested with an inert gas at 1.1 times the MAWP for not less than 10 minutes prior to being brought into service. Temporarily out of service piping shall be tested in compliance with section 3-2.9 of this code prior to being brought back into service.
3-2.9 Testing. After installation, prior to being placed into service, all container connections and all fielderected piping, tubing, hose, and hose assemblies shall be tested and proved H2 gas-tight for the rated pressure, volume, and temperature of the gas transported by an approved method as outlined in ASME B31.3, "Process Piping," adopted by reference in section 8-1, or the following:
