Code to advance hydrogen in Canada.

A new hydrogen installation code heralds a new era for the advancement of the hydrogen economy in Canada, according to the Bureau de normalisation du Quebec (BNQ). The new code is a comprehensive document defining the installation requirements of different types of hydrogen installations. Until now, hydrogen installations could only be put in place following approval by the competent authority under an exemption procedure--a tedious process for both the owner of the hydrogen installation and the regulatory authority.

Published by the BNQ as a national standard of Canada, the Canadian hydrogen installation code (CHIC) [CAN/BNQ 1784-000] will help pave the way for a greater use of hydrogen as an energy carrier by guiding safe design and facilitating the approval process of hydrogen installations across Canada.

"Working together with stakeholders, we can help make hydrogen the fuel of the future," said Randy Dey of the CCS Global Group, who chairs the technical committee that developed this new document. "The CHIC, which is the first of its kind, fills a gap and provides Canadian industry and regulatory authorities with a much needed tool for use with hydrogen installations."

The need for such a code had been recognized from the outset by the governments of Canada and Quebec, which both sponsored the development of the new code. The new code is expected to facilitate the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The sponsors also hope it will help build consumer confidence in the use of hydrogen as a clean, safe source of energy.

The CHIC defines the installation requirements of hydrogen refilling stations that dispense gaseous hydrogen, whether the hydrogen is produced on-site by water electrolysis or natural gas reforming or delivered by truck in a liquid or a gaseous form. It also provides the guidelines for the installation of fuel cells and internal combustion engines that provide emergency or back-up power to commercial buildings and residential homes. It has been approved by the interprovincial gas advisory council (IGAC) that represents 14 federal, provincial, and 14 territorial regulatory authorities across Canada.

Bureau de normalisation du Quebec