1.2 How to use the document

This document was created in response to the growing need for guidance to facilitate small hydrogen and fuel cell stationary installations in Europe. This document is not a standard, but is a compendium of useful information for a variety of users with a role in installing these systems, including:

• Design engineers;
• Manufacturers;
• Architects;
• Installers;
• Operators/Maintenance workers;
• Regulators.

The document is organised as follows:

• Introduction and Scope (Chapter 1);
• Introduction to fuel cell systems and their associated hazards (Chapter 2);
• General and Higher Level Requirements (Chapter 3);
• System Specific and Siting Considerations (Chapter 4);
• Permitting Route (Chapter 5);
• Appendices.

Although it is envisaged that the information may be of interest to all user groups, an effort has been made to organise information for ease of use by each user group, particularly in Chapter 3.  Chapter 4 contains additional information relating to specific systems as well as details on siting considerations.

The information in this document provides guidance on some safety aspects of the equipment. This is not a substitute for meeting applicable standards and regulations. Relevant standards and regulations are listed, where available, in the text and in Appendix A2. As many standards and regulations are currently in development or only recently adopted, and final system designs have not yet been determined by many manufacturers, it may be some time before we can reasonably expect equipment certification to these standards. Certification, including CE marking, is not required for demonstration prototypes. It is hoped that the guidance provided in this document can facilitate demonstration and early market installations. A list of abbreviations used in this document is available in Appendix A9. References are provided in Appendix A10.