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November/December 2018 | VehicleServicePros.com 39
according to some codes. Th at said, some AHJs will
require a detection system for facilities servicing
only CNG vehicles.
Electrical, lighting
and space heaters
Th is modifi cation can become rather challenging
for fl eets. In many facilities, the
area within 18” of the ceiling
must have explosion-proof electrical
equipment. Th is includes
wiring, junction boxes, conduit,
lighting, fans and other appliances.
Th e exception is if the
facility provides for continuous
ventilation that allows for
at least four air changes per
hour (ACH).
If unable to achieve the
four-ACH requirement, a fl eet
has two choices: relocate the
electrical equipment below
the 18”, or replace it with Class
1, Division 2 rated equipment.
Generally speaking, it can be
less expensive to eliminate or
relocate non-compliant electrical
fi xtures than to replace
them with more costly explosion
proof units.
Space heating is another
area of concern. Heaters with
open fl ames or hot surfaces in
excess of 750 degrees F cannot
be present. Additionally,
inside air cannot be used for
a heater’s combustion air.
Th e supply air and exhaust
fl ow from these heaters must
be completely contained and
directed from and to the
outside of the facility.
Put the facility
modification plan
into motion
Once the fl eet has devised
a cost-eff ective plan that is
accepted by the AHJ, it is
ready to move forward. In
some instances, it might make
more sense to put up a new
building. NGVi’s Th omason
says that if a fl eet’s existing
facility is already stretched
too thin, putting up a smaller
building solely for NGV
service work could prove to be
a more cost-eff ective option.
“Th e good thing is that if the
fl eet ever wants to also work
on gas or diesel vehicles in
that new building, it’s no problem,”
Th omason says.
Fleets may also consider
servicing NGVs outside.
Th omason says there are tent-like structures that
are cost-eff ective. Many are designed in such a way
that ceiling ventilation is inherently provided.
“Th is is defi nitely an option for fl eets in certain
environments where excessive heat and cold are not
an issue so they don’t have to worry about heating
and cooling systems,” Th omason says. “I actually had
a client in Oakland, California, that went this route.”
However a fl eet goes about servicing NGVs, training
and standard operating procedures are going to
be key. Th ere are several organizations and online
resources to help fl eets learn how to incorporate
natural gas into their operations. A few notable
examples are ngvamerica.org/fuel, ngvi.com and
altfuelgarage.org/natural-gas.
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