The Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) has published a new document entitled Recommended Practices for the Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Fueling Facilities (PEI/RP1500). 

The document was written in response to requests from architects, engineers, system operators, regulators, contractors, consultants, end users, system installers, utilities, code officials and manufacturers of compressed natural gas fueling systems. 

PEI/RP1500 is intended for business owners and fleet operators who are considering using CNG for vehicle fueling and want to learn how these facilities work, and what design and performance factors need to be considered before investing in such a facility; as well as code enforcement personnel who are charged with permitting and inspecting CNG fueling facilities.

The recommended practices apply to outdoor CNG facilities that receive pipeline quality natural gas from a utility or non-utility distribution system, remove moisture from the gas, compress the gas, store limited quantities of compressed gas, and dispense the CNG into vehicle fuel tanks. 

The document includes: time fill and fast fill fueling methods; commercial fleet fueling facilities; retail fueling facilities; and fueling appliances intended to fuel a small fleet of vehicles. 

The document was authored by the PEI CNG Vehicle Fueling Systems Installation Committee. Marcel Moreau of Marcel Moreau Associates, served as committee consultant. 

Members of the Committee include Steve Bernstein of Jones & Frank, who served as chair of the committee; Eric Beavers, Beavers Petroleum Equipment Co., Inc.; Julian T. Canuso Jr., Oxford Engineering Company; Jason Carr, Stantec; Andy Grimmer, ANGI Energy Systems, LLC, J. Benjamin Hieber, PWI, Incorporated; Kevin Kalafut, P. B. Hoidale Company, Inc.; Bryan Novy, Kwik Trip, Inc.; Carl P. Overturf, PECO Energy; Sufyan Qarni, Sparq Natural Gas LLC; and Scott Zepp, Consolidated Utilities Corp.

Other recommended practice documents by PEI include: Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems (RP100); Installation of Aboveground Storage Systems for Motor Vehicle Fueling (RP200); Installation and Testing of Vapor Recovery Systems at Vehicle Fueling Sites (RP300); Testing Electrical Continuity of Fuel Dispensing Hanging Hardware (RP400); Inspection and Maintenance of Motor Fuel Dispensing Equipment (RP500); Overfill Prevention for Shop-Fabricated Aboveground Tanks (RP600); Design and Maintenance of Fluid Distribution Systems at Vehicle Maintenance Facilities (RP700); Installation of Bulk Storage Plants (RP800); Inspection and Maintenance of UST Systems (RP900); Installation of Marina Fueling Systems (RP1000); Storage and Dispensing of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (RP1100); Testing and Verification of Spill, Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities (RP1200); Design, Installation, Service, Repair and Maintenance of Aviation Fueling Systems (RP1300); and Design and Installation of Fueling Systems for Emergency Generators, Stationary Diesel Engines and Oil Burner Systems (RP1400). 

Founded in 1951, PEI is the leading authority and source of information for the fuel and fluid handling equipment and services industry. PEI is comprised of more than 1,600 members engaged in manufacturing and distributing equipment used in the fuel and fluid handling industry. Members are located in 50 states and 81 countries. The association is committed to promoting the value of distributor services, and improving the business relationships and practices of its members. PEI is headquartered in Tulsa, Okla. For additional information, please contact Chris Bouldin at cbouldin@pei.org or visit www.pei.org.