means of providing a safe maintenance environment are also discussed. Research into various safety methods is ongoing, which means that the codes covering facility safety may be updated over time. Always consult with the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine the specific codes and editions of codes that will prevail for their specific project. Receive Technical Assistance from Clean Cities The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Clean Cities program advances the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to cut petroleum use in transportation.
At the national level, the program provides unbiased and objective, fuel- neutral resources and information to help transportation stakeholders evaluate options and achieve goals around alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and other strategies to promote the use of domestic fuels in transportation. At the local level, nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions leverage these resources to create networks of local stakeholders that advance transportation projects.
These coalitions are public-private partnerships comprising businesses, fuel providers, vehicle fleets, state and local government agen cies, and community organizations that share information and resources, inform public policy, educate the public, and collaborate on transportation projects. One of the primary variables in evaluating and modify ing a maintenance facility is the intended use of that facility. The codes and regulations offer very different approaches, and it is important to understand that some requirements differ based on the type of maintenance work to be performed within the facility.
It should be noted that the local governing body will have the final say as to which code(s) will be followed, and the AHJ will ensure the appropriate codes are followed. Early interac tion with the AHJ is an essential part of the evaluation of facility modifications. Although similar requirements are needed for the design of new CNG vehicle maintenance facilities, this hand book has been prepared for use by fleet and maintenance facility managers who are responsible for maintaining CNG vehicles indoors in existing facilities.
It is intended to assist managers in evaluating physical modifications or changes in operating protocols, but is not intended to enable them to perform the designs themselves. Rather, it should educate managers about the design variables so that they fully understand the requirements and can ensure compliance. This document is a guide; final designs, equipment selection, and development of operating protocols should be coordinated with a profes sional engineer(s) registered/licensed in the state where the maintenance facility is located. The engineer(s) is responsible for preparing the drawings that will be used for permitting and construction.
Clean Cities coordinators are the primary contacts for their coalitions and work with local fleets. They can assist fleet and facility maintenance managers in locating quali fied facility assessors, design engineers, and construction firms with CNG experience. Clean Cities coordinators are the primary contacts for their coalitions and can assist fleet and facility maintenance managers in locating qualified facility assessors, design engineers, and construction firms with CNG experience. Visit cleancities.energy.gov to find a local Clean Cities coordinator.
Implementation protocols including design, permitting, and construction alternatives as well as project costs and schedules are also provided in this handbook. A ques tionnaire and a decision tree (see Appendices B and C, respectively) have been included to aid the user in deter mining the best approach for the maintenance facility. The Clean Cities program also provides technical assistance and problem-solving through Tiger Teams, a group of highly skilled experts from DOE national laboratories and industry. Tiger Teams can help fleets and industry tackle difficult technical and market chal lenges.
These can include issues related to deploying alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, and emerging transportation technologies. For fleets that have already initiated proj ects, Tiger Teams can help overcome implementation or operational challenges of new technologies, get delayed projects moving again, or serve as a neutral third party to conduct an analysis and identify potential solutions. This handbook covers maintenance facilities that service CNG-fueled vehicles. Although similar require ments are mandated for liquefied natural gas- or liquefied petroleum gas-fueled vehicles, these are not covered in this handbook. SEPTEMBER 2017 5