5809 On-Demand Hydrogen Mobile Fueling Operations — 2025 California Fire Code

On-demand hydrogen mobile fueling operations that dispense gaseous hydrogen into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles shall comply with Sections 5809.1 through 5809.6.5. Mobile fueling of liquid hydrogen is prohibited.

5809.1.1 Approval required. Hydrogen mobile fueling operations shall not be conducted without first obtaining a permit and approval from the fire code official. Hydrogen mobile fueling operations shall occur only at approved locations. The fire code official is authorized to approve individual locations or geographic areas where mobile fueling is allowed.

An on-demand hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle or mobile fueling trailer shall be that which is utilized in on-demand fueling operations for the dispensing of gaseous hydrogen into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles.

5809.2.1 Hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle requirements. Each hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle or mobile fueling trailer shall comply with all local, state and federal requirements, as well as the following:

1. The hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle or mobile fueling trailer and its equipment shall be in compliance with the appropriate requirements of NFPA 2 and US DOTn requirements for the transportation of hydrogen gas.
2. Hydrogen mobile fueling vehicles or mobile fueling trailers shall only contain and dispense gaseous hydrogen.
3. The hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle or mobile fueling trailer and its equipment shall be maintained in good repair.
4. Fueling a hydrogen motor vehicle shall be from tanks or containers mounted on a mobile fueling trailer or from tanks or containers mounted on a mobile fueling vehicle. A mobile fueling operation shall not combine a mobile fueling vehicle with a mobile fueling trailer.
5. Mobile fueling vehicles and trailers shall be provided with at least one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 40-B:C on the mobile roadside service hydrogen-fueling vehicle with signage clearly indicating its location. 6. The roadside hydrogen service vehicle shall comply with all local, state and federal requirements. 7. Individual hydrogen fuel supply tanks installed on roadside hydrogen service vehicles shall have a maximum individual fuel capacity of 1,270 cubic feet (3 kg) of hydrogen. 8. The maximum aggregate amount of all hydrogen fuel in the supply tanks of roadside hydrogen service vehicles shall not exceed 4,233 cubic feet (10 kg) of hydrogen.

Documents developed to comply with Sections 5809.3.1 through 5809.3.3 shall be submitted to the fire code official prior to approval of the permit application to conduct mobile gaseous hydrogen fueling operations. Any modification to an approved plan shall be updated as necessary by the owner of the mobile fueling operation and maintained in compliance with Section 110.3.

5809.3.1 Safety and emergency response plan. Hydrogen mobile fueling operators shall have an approved written safety and emergency response plan that establishes policies and procedures for fire safety, release and control, personnel training and compliance with other applicable requirements of this code. Operators shall demonstrate readiness to respond to a hydrogen leak and carry out appropriate mitigation measures.

FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

5809.3.2 Training records. Hydrogen mobile fueling vehicles or mobile fueling trailers shall be operated only by designated personnel who are trained on proper fueling procedures , the equipment manufacturer’s training and the appropriate mitigating actions in the event of a fire or a hydrogen leak prior to beginning the dispensing operations. Re-training shall be performed periodi- cally, but no less frequent than annually. Training records of operators shall be maintained by the dispensing company and made available to the fire code official upon request.

5809.3.3 Site plan. Where required by the fire code official, a site plan shall be developed for each location at which hydrogen mobile fueling occurs. The site plan shall be of sufficient detail to indicate the following:

1. All buildings and structures.
2. Lot lines or property lines.
3. Solar photovoltaic parking lot canopies.
4. Appurtenances on-site and their use and function.
5. All uses adjacent to the lot lines of the site.
6. Hydrogen fueling locations.
7. Scale of the site plan.

Hydrogen mobile fueling shall not occur on public streets, in public ways or inside buildings. Fueling on the roof level of parking structures or other buildings is prohibited.

Exception: Fueling hydrogen-fueled vehicles on a public street during a roadside emergency.

5809.4.1 Separation. The point of connection of the vehicle being fueled and the roadside hydrogen service vehicle shall not take place less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from buildings, property lines or combustible storage.

5809.4.2 Sources of ignition. Smoking, open flames and other sources of ignition, including unrated electrical equipment, shall be prohibited within 25 feet (7620 mm) of fuel-dispensing activities. Signs prohibiting smoking or open flames within 25 feet (7620 mm) of the vehicle or the point of fueling shall be prominently posted on the hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle. The fuel cell of vehicles being fueled shall be shut off during fueling.

Hydrogen mobile fueling equipment shall comply with Sections 5809.5.1 and 5809.5.2.

5809.5.1 Dispensing hoses, nozzles and equipment. Dispensing hoses, nozzles, equipment and appurtenances shall be listed or approved by a recognized third party for its intended use and comply with NFPA 2.

5809.5.1.1 Hose reel. The dispensing hose shall be properly placed on an approved reel or in an approved compartment before moving the roadside hydrogen service vehicle.

5809.5.1.2 Pressure limit. Only dispensing of compressed gaseous hydrogen at partial pressure into the fuel tanks of hydrogen- fueled vehicles from on-board hydrogen supply tanks is allowed.

5809.5.2 Fire extinguisher. An approved portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum rating of 4-A:80B:C shall be provided on the hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle with signage clearly indicating its location.

Hydrogen mobile fueling vehicles or mobile fueling trailers shall be operated in accordance with this section and NFPA 2.

5809.6.1 Attendant. Hydrogen mobile fueling vehicles or mobile fueling trailers shall be attended at all times during fueling operations, with brakes set and warning lights in operation.

5809.6.1.1 Bonding cable. A bonding cable shall be securely connected between the mobile fueling vehicle and the fueled vehicle prior to the start of the dispensing operation.

5809.6.1.2 Brakes. During fueling operations, mobile fueling vehicle’s brakes shall be set, chock blocks shall be in place and warning lights shall be in operation.

5809.6.2 Emergency access roads. Hydrogen mobile fueling vehicles shall not obstruct emergency vehicle access roads.

5809.6.3 Dispensing hose. Where equipped, hydrogen mobile fueling vehicles or mobile fueling trailers shall be positioned in a manner to preclude traffic from driving over the dispensing hose. The dispensing hose shall be properly placed on an approved reel or in an approved compartment prior to moving the mobile fueling vehicle. The dispensing hose shall be equipped with a breakaway coupling installed within 3 feet (1 m) from the dispensing nozzle.

5809.6.4 Safety cones. Safety cones or other visual barriers shall be employed as warning devices to highlight the vehicle fueling

area.

5809.6.5 Vehicle lights. The hydrogen mobile fueling vehicle or mobile fueling trailer flasher lights shall be in operation while dispensing operations are in progress.

5809.6.5.1 Emergency communication device. Operators of mobile, roadside service hydrogen fueling vehicles shall have in their possession at all times an emergency communication device to notify the proper authorities in the event of an emergency during fueling.

5809.6.6 Nighttime deliveries. Nighttime deliveries shall be made only in areas deemed adequately lighted by the fire code official.

5809.6.7 Spill reporting. Releases shall be reported where required by Section 5003.3.1.

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CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 59 – FLAMMABLE SOLIDS

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

• The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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