What is a best practice?
A best practice is a technique or methodology that has reliably led to a desired result. Using best practices is a commitment to utilizing available knowledge and technology to achieve success.
What is H2BestPractices.org?
A wealth of knowledge and experience related to safe use and handling of hydrogen exists as a result of an extensive history in a wide variety of industrial and aerospace settings. Hydrogen is gaining increasing attention worldwide as a possible energy storage medium, for later conversion to electricity through fuel cells or for use as a combustion fuel. This focus has introduced many new participants to research, development, demonstration, and deployment of hydrogen technologies (e.g., fuel cell vehicles and stationary fuel cells).
The purpose of the Hydrogen Safety Best Practices online manual is to share the benefits of extensive experience by providing suggestions and recommendations pertaining to the safe handling and use of hydrogen. Best Practices have been compiled from a variety of resources, many of which are in the public domain and can be downloaded directly from the References section. Many others can be obtained via reference links found at various places within the manual.
Best Practices are organized under a number of hierarchical categories in this online manual, beginning with those displayed down the left-hand column. Because of the interdependence of the topical areas, however, individual pages are often accessible via multiple internal links. A web-based electronic document format lends itself well to this type of overlapping content.
Please notice the mouse-over feature on this website. When a word in the text appears in blue font, you can see its definition by placing your cursor over the word. All the definitions are compiled into a Glossary that can be accessed from the References section of every page. There is also an Acronyms list and a Bibliography that can be accessed from every page. When you click on the link to the Bibliography, it will take you to the alphabetized list of references for the particular section from which you accessed it. Please contact us if you notice any definitions, acronyms, or references that should be in these lists but arenít.
A word about safety
Following the best practices contained in this online manual represents a commitment to the safe use and handling of hydrogen, but it should be recognized that no information resource can provide 100% assurance of safety. Personnel with applicable expertise should always be consulted in designing and implementing any system carrying a potential safety risk. Additionally, since following these best practices does not guarantee compliance with local codes, standards, and regulations, users should check with their local Authority Having Jurisdiction to ensure that those requirements are adequately addressed.
This online manual is linked to a companion website, Hydrogen Lessons Learned (H2LL), to provide unambiguous illustration of the importance of following safe practices and procedures when working with and around hydrogen. Like virtually all energy forms, hydrogen can be used safely when proper procedures and engineering techniques are followed, but its use still involves a degree of risk that must be respected. The importance of avoiding complacency and/or haste in the safe conduct and performance of projects involving hydrogen cannot be overstated.