GB/T 24549-2020Fuel cell electric vehicles—Safety requirements (English PDF)

3.1 Main shut off valve

A valve that is used to shut off the downstream supply of hydrogen from a compressed hydrogen storage system.

3.2 Pressure relief device; PRD

A device that operates under certain conditions and can discharge the hydrogen in the compressed hydrogen storage system to prevent system failure.

3.3 Thermally-activated pressure relief device; TPRD

A safety relief device that starts to act when the temperature reaches the set value and cannot be reset automatically.

3.4 Enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces

The space in the vehicle that may be exposed to the compressed hydrogen storage system and the environmental space and area where hydrogen may accumulate, such as the passenger compartment, luggage compartment, cargo compartment, or space under the front hatch.

3.5 Nominal working pressure; NWP

At the reference temperature (15°C), the gas pressure in the compressed hydrogen storage system reaches the limit charging pressure when it is completely stable.

4.1 Safety requirements for the whole vehicle

4.1.1 Hydrogen emission from the whole vehicle

The test shall be carried out in accordance with the test method specified in the Subclause 6.1 hydrogen emission at idle thermal state specified in GB/T 37154-2018.

During normal operation (including startup and shutdown), the average hydrogen volume concentration in any continuous 3s shall not exceed 4%; and the instant hydrogen volume concentration shall not exceed 8%.

4.1.2 Hydrogen leakage from the whole vehicle

4.1.2.1 Requirements in the vehicle

4.1.2.2 Requirements outside the vehicle

For Type-M1 vehicles, the hydrogen leakage test shall be carried out in an enclosed space in accordance with Appendix A; and the hydrogen volume concentration measured at any time shall not exceed 1%.

4.1.3 Reminder of low hydrogen remaining amount

The meter indicating the hydrogen pressure or the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank shall be installed in an area that is easy for the driver to observe. If the pressure or remaining amount of hydrogen affects the driving of the vehicle, an obvious signal (for example. sound or light signal) device shall issue the prompt to the driver.

4.1.4 Electrical safety requirements

The electrical safety of fuel cell electric vehicles shall comply with the provisions of GB 18384-2020.

4.2 Requirements for system safety

4.2.1 Requirements for hydrogen storage cylinders and pipelines

4.2.1.1 Requirements for installation location

Pipeline joints shall not be located in a completely enclosed space. In general, hydrogen storage cylinders and pipelines shall not be installed in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment or other poorly ventilated places; but if it is unavoidable to install them in the luggage compartment or other poorly ventilated places, corresponding measures shall be taken to discharge the hydrogen that may leak in time.

4.2.1.2 Requirements for thermal insulation

The hydrogen storage cylinders and pipelines that may be affected by heat sources such as exhaust pipes and mufflers, etc. shall be protected by thermal insulation.

4.2.1.3 Anti-static requirements

High-pressure pipelines and components (including hydrogenation ports) shall be grounded reliably.

4.2.2 Requirements for pressure relief system

The requirements for pressure relief system are as follows. […]

4.2.3 Requirements for hydrogenation and hydrogenation port

4.2.4 Hydrogen leakage and detection of fuel pipeline

4.2.4.1 The method specified in 4.2.4.2 or 4.2.4.3 shall be used to conduct hydrogen leak detection on the accessible part of the fuel pipeline, and conduct key leak detection on the joints. For the pipeline between the hydrogen storage cylinder and the fuel cell stack, the leak detection pressure is the actual working pressure. Conduct the detection for the pipeline from the hydrogenation port to the hydrogen storage tank, the leak detection pressure is 1.25 times the nominal working pressure.

4.2.4.2 Use leak detection fluid for visual inspection, and no bubbles shall appear within 3min. […]

4.2.5 Functional requirements for hydrogen leak alarm device

The device shall warn the driver through audible alarms, warning lights or text displays.

4.2.6 Requirements for fuel emission

In order to maintain the hydrogen system or other purposes, the vehicle shall have the function of safely discharging the remaining fuel.

5.1 User Manual

Fuel cell electric vehicle manufacturers shall provide user manuals that specify the specific operation, fuel and safety features of the vehicle. The manual includes at least the following.

a) Automobile safety operating procedures, including operating environment;

b) Precautions for fuel, coolant and other materials stored and used in the automobile;

c) The requirements for parking lots of fuel cell electric vehicles shall be explained;

d) Fuel filling procedures and safety equipment precautions; […]

5.2 Service manual

Fuel cell electric vehicle manufacturers shall compile information related to vehicle repair and maintenance. It should include at least the following.

a) Description of the user's automobile repair site;

b) The chemical and physical properties of hazardous materials used in automobiles;

c) The hazards that may occur to the automobile or system during maintenance;

d) First aid procedures unique to the automobile when a certain danger occurs;

e) Maintenance tools, equipment and personal protective equipment; […]

5.3 Others

The fuel cell electric vehicle manual shall meet the requirements of 5.1 and 5.2, and shall also meet the requirements of GB/T 38117-2019.

A.1 Measurement parameters, units, accuracy and resolution

A.2 Test preparation

A.2.1 Vehicle conditions

A.2.2 Environment temperature conditions

The test shall be carried out at 25°C ± 5°C.

A.2.3 Requirements for enclosed space

A.2.3.1 The size requirements of the enclosed space. the internal length shall not exceed the length of the vehicle by 1m; the internal width shall not exceed the width of the vehicle by 1m; the internal height shall not exceed the height of the vehicle by 0.5m.

A.2.3.2 Requirements for air exchange rate of the enclosed space. for the hydrogen leakage test in the vehicle parking state, the air exchange rate per hour shall be no greater than 0.03.

A.2.3.3 Location requirements for mechanical ventilation devices in enclosed space. the distance between the air inlet and outlet of the mechanical ventilation device and each hydrogen concentration sensor shall be greater than or equal to 1m.

A.2.3.4 Position requirements for the hydrogen concentration sensor in the enclosed space. at least 3 evenly arranged on both sides of the top surface of the enclosed space; 1 at the geometric center of the top; no less than 7 in total, see Figure A.1.

A.3 Test procedure

A.3.1 General

This test aims to check the hydrogen leakage when the vehicle is parked in an enclosed space without mechanical ventilation (air exchange rate per hour is no greater than 0.03). During the test, if the hydrogen volume concentration at any position exceeds 1%, the test shall be stopped immediately and ventilation shall be started.

A.3.2 Test procedures

The test lasts at least 8h, and the sampling frequency is at least 1Hz. The test procedures are as follows. […]

B.1 Test conditions

B.1.1 Test vehicle

Start the fuel cell system of the vehicle, preheat to the temperature for normal operation of the vehicle, and the vehicle is at a standstill state.

B.1.2 Test gas

According to the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer, select the appropriate hydrogen concentration, and the concentration shall be no more than 4%.

B.2 Test preparation

The test shall not be affected by wind. In order to blow the test gas into the hydrogen leak detection sensor, the following measures shall be taken if necessary. […]

B.3 Test process

The hydrogen leak alarm function verification test is as follows. […]