|
|
Natural Gas Vehicle Cylinder Safety, Training and Inspection
Program
Have Your CNG Cylinders Been Properly Inspected?
Why do my CNG cylinders need to be
inspected?
Like a gasoline-or diesel fueled-vehicle, a Compressed
Natural Gas vehicle’s fuel system should be inspected
periodically. In fact, the US Department of Transportation
(FMVSS 304) requires this statement on the label of all
CNG cylinders used on motor vehicles:
What is a qualified CNG cylinder
inspection?
Inspections performed by service stations or state agencies
may not include a detailed CNG cylinder visual inspection,
as outlined in a standard
developed by natural gas vehicle industry engineers. Following
this standard, a qualified inspector will note cuts, cracks,
gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets,
damaged gaskets or isolators, heat damage or other problems
and recommend proper action to assure fuel system safety.
A qualified inspector must have:
- knowledge of the types of containers used in CNG vehicle
systems, and damage allowances for each type, and
- understanding of
inspection requirements, tests, procedures, and
- the container manufacturer’s current inspection
guidelines readily available.
A qualified CNG cylinder inspector also must:
- have a minimum of 2 years experience conducting container
inspections, or
- be supervised by someone with 2 years experience, or
- be approved by the container manufacturer, or
- be certified as an inspector by an organization with
NGV training centers, an “authority having jurisdiction”
or a nationally recognized certification testing organization.
Where can I find a qualified
CNG cylinder inspector?
If your fleet does not have a qualified inspector, some
CNG vehicle manufacturers, local gas utilities and cylinder
manufacturers offer cylinder inspection services by qualified
inspectors. If yours do not, a list of CSA-certified inspectors
is available by clicking
here. CSA is the only nationally recognized organization
certifying CNG cylinder inspectors in the US and Canada.
Key in your state or province name (spelled out, not abbreviated),
hit “Search” and a list will come up. Click
on a name for that person’s contact information.
How can I become a certified CNG
cylinder inspector?
If you would like to be trained and CSA-certified as a
qualified CNG cylinder inspector, these organizations provide
training for and administer the CSA certification test:
Is scholarship assistance available?
Scholarships for cylinder inspection training and certification
testing are available for qualifying technicians or organizations
through a US Department of Energy program administered by
the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation. These scholarships
will reimburse you for successfully completing a cylinder
inspector training program provided by one of the organizations
listed above and passing the CSA test.
To apply for a scholarship:
- Contact one of the organizations listed above and determine
when and where you want to take their course. You may take
a course at their facility or work with them to provide
a course for a number of technicians at a facility of your
choice.
- Fill out the online
scholarship form or click
here for a printable document and fax to 703-534-6151.
- We will determine whether scholarship money is available
for you, based on the information included in your request
and availability of program funding (at this time funding
is available only through the end of 2008). We will inform
you of our decision within 10 business days of receiving
your application. If we agree to pay for your training and
testing, you must make your own arrangements with the training
and testing facility and provide us with a receipt for the
amount paid and documentation that you successfully completed
the course and passed the test. You are responsible for
your own travel, lodging and expenses (other than training
tuition and testing cost), unless special plans are made
in advance.
- Questions? – Call or email Hank
Seiff, Director of Technology, Clean Vehicle Education
Foundation, 703-534-6151.
|
