NGVi DELIVERS CNG CODES & STANDARDS TRAINING FOR FIRE MARSHALS AND OTHER CODE OFFICIALS

Las Vegas, NV – Natural Gas Vehicle Institute (NGVi) delivered a one-day training class on CNG codes and standards last week to more than 40 fire marshals, municipal code officials, airport authorities and others.  The event was hosted by Black Hills Energy as a response to the demand for expert information on natural gas vehicles and fueling. The one-day CNG Codes & Standards Training was developed based on NGVi’s award-winning curriculum and has been customized specifically for the informational needs of the fire marshal and code official audience.  The training covers the codes for three primary areas including: CNG Fueling Stations Vehicular CNG Cylinders and the Onboard Fuel Systems Vehicle Maintenance Facility Standards Natural gas as a transportation fuel is extremely safe, but its unique properties require adherence to a number of codes and rigorous safety standards that significantly differ from safety requirements addressing heavier-than-air, liquid fuels like diesel and gasoline. Specific regulations apply to high-pressure CNG fuel systems, to the design, operation, and maintenance of CNG fueling stations, and also to vehicle maintenance facilities and parking structures where natural-gas-powered vehicles are repaired, maintained or stored. “Fire marshals are likely to be familiar with the fire codes, but it is crucial that they understand the practical differences between working with natural gas and liquid fuels and become aware of national codes and regulations governing natural gas vehicles, CNG fueling stations, and vehicle maintenance facilities,” said Leo Thomason, Executive Director and lead instructor at NGVi. “The attendees truly appreciated the focused training we provided on these subjects.”  “The training was an excellent opportunity to learn—the information was very new to us here in Nebraska,” said Clark Conklin, Chief Deputy, Fuels Safety Nebraska State Fire Marshal. “These are…good resources for us regulators. Thank you for giving us the scoop on this issue,” he added. NGVi offers the CNG Codes & Standards course through hosting organizations or companies interested in helping fire marshals and code officials understand more about natural gas as a transportation fuel.  “Gas utility companies, like Black Hills Energy, are really forward-thinking in hosting this kind of training for code officials so that barriers to market penetration for NGVs can be removed,” noted Thomason.