Additionally, they can help address safety or operational issues by identifying the root cause of a problem and determining next steps. of signing off on a design rests with the local fire depart ment, or another AHJ. Other permitting agencies such as the electrical, mechanical, or structural departments will sign off on construction elements of the design. Compli ance inspections may be conducted by all of the agencies. To learn more about which projects are eligible for assis tance, visit the Tiger Teams page at cleancities.energy. gov/technical-assistance/tiger-teams/ . For more informa tion about Tiger Teams, contact John Gonzales at john.
gonzales@nrel.gov , or Kay Kelly at kay.kelly@nrel.gov . Local governing bodies adopt specific versions of the above codes, and, until newer versions are officially recognized in a local governing body, the latest editions may not be valid for design purposes. Some local govern ing bodies may develop requirements in addition to any national or international code they have adopted. For this reason, it is essential that the appropriate approved/ acknowledged/adopted version of the codes and ordi nances are used as the basis for design and implementa tion.
Although there is generally agreement between the codes and ordinances prepared by various agencies, in a few cases the requirements may differ. Regulations There are a number of codes and ordinances dealing with the design and use of a CNG vehicle maintenance facility. The primary documents used by AHJs are NFPA 30A – Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, and the appropriate sections of the IFC. Other documents that may be employed include: • International Building Code NFPA 30A provides specific design and operational requirements based on the type of maintenance per formed within the facility.
This document separates the type of maintenance and repair activities into two categories: major and minor. This distinction is critical in determining the upgrades required to existing facilities. • International Electrical Code • International Mechanical Code • NFPA 52 – Vehicular Gaseous Fuel Systems Code • NFPA 88A – Standard for Parking Structures • National Electrical Code It is essential that an open dialogue be established • National Fire Code with the AHJ early in the design process so that a mutually acceptable design, including appropriate • National Mechanical Code. equipment and operating protocols, is developed.
All of these codes provide valid and safe methods for The codes are intended to be guidelines to help the designer and the AHJ arrive at a practical solution to provide a safe environment within the maintenance facility. The authors of the codes realize there are many varying factors, particularly the overall design of a main tenance facility, its mission, weather conditions, and other situations which preclude a “one-size-fits-all” approach to facility design. It is essential that an open dialogue be established with the AHJ early in the design process so that a mutually acceptable design, including appropriate equipment and operating protocols, is developed.
facility design, but it is the local governing body that makes the final decision as to which are used. These codes generally contain similar (or in many cases identical) language. In addition to those listed above, many local governing bodies have their own additional codes. It is essential to recognize that all of these codes provide valid and safe methods for facility design, but it is the local governing body that makes the final decision as to which are used, and the AHJ that ensures the codes are met.
Facility Assessment and Design Considerations Approval of the permit applications that contain the designs and proposed equipment for CNG facility modifi cations is generally the responsibility of local building and safety departments. Typically, the primary responsibility The following section provides a practical approach to evaluating an existing maintenance facility for conver sion into a facility properly equipped to perform indoor COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY MODIFICATION HANDBOOK 6