The draft supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments to UN R110 (pending before the November WP.29 session) introduces type-approval provisions for vehicles equipped with liquefied natural gas propulsion systems. In this document, Germany signals its intention to prepare substantial revisions concerning its safety provisions.

Proposal to regulate the discharge direction of pressure relief devices (PRD) on CNG containers in response to a fire accident in the Netherlands in which the PRD produced a long horizontal jet flame for several minutes posing a risk to other road users and surrounding buildings.

Note to open a discussion concerning the gas-cylinder periodic inspection requirements of Annex 3 of UN R110.

Supplement 1 to the 01 series included requirements for the positioning of LNG tanks. While the Netherlands believes that mounting the LNG fuel tank 200mm above the road surface is broadly adequate; this proposal aims to ensure that the fuel tank cannot, under any normal driving or stationary working situations, come into contact with the ground. The new wording provides more definitive conditions, including the possibility of a vehicle having one or more flat tires as well as for those vehicles that have ‘kneeling’ capability or variable suspension, both of which lower the frame of the vehicle closer to the ground.

Proposal to require an exterior protection on cylindrical gas tanks. Under the current regulation, such exterior protection may be fitted at the discretion of the manufacturer. The intention is to increase protection against corrosion of cylinders in response to a corroded cylinder explosion in Germany.

Presentation highlighting concerns regarding the separate development of UN R110 and ISO 11439 provisions resulting in diverging test protocols and other differences.