Proposal to improve the specifications for LPG multi-valves in response to an LPG vehicle fire that resulted in injuries to first responders. A German Type Approval Authority (KBA) analysis concluded that the hose connecting the PRV/PRD of the multi-valve to the gaseous phase was damaged and hose-fragments blocked both PRV and PRD such that pressure could not be adequately reduced. The PRV and PRD were activated, but the fragments considerably reduced the effective section of the relevant tubing and prevented the release of pressure. This proposal aims to prevent such occurrences.
38. The expert from OICA recalled the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/2 and informed GRSG that parts of the proposal had been adopted and that the remaining parts had recently been reviewed by TF on gas-fuelled vehicle regulations. The expert from Germany reported on the good TF work progress force. He presented GRSG-116-05 on the outcome of TF discussions on UN Regulation No. 67. The expert from LG Europe proposed to remove the requirements for the use of an odorant in n-pentane: such requirements were not necessary and not requested in any test in the UN Regulations or in international standards (GRSG-116-39). After discussion, GRSG agreed on the revised proposal GRSG-116-05-Rev.1 and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/2 as reproduced in Annex III to this report. The secretariat was requested to submit the revised proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 2 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 67 for consideration at their November 2019 sessions.
23. The expert from Germany introduced GRSG-114-08 on the recent meeting of the task force on gas-fuelled vehicle regulations held in Cologne (Germany) on 6 and 7 February 2018. He added that progress had been good on UN Regulation No. 110, but the amendments to UN Regulation No. 67 were still under considerations.
25. The expert from Germany recalled the outcome of the task force (para. 23 above) on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 and presented GRSG-114-09 proposing amendments to the Regulation. GRSG noted general support and some comments. Finally, GRSG considered a revised proposal (GRSG-114-09-Rev.1) and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 as reproduced in Annex V to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 67 for consideration at their November 2018 sessions.
26. The expert from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/2 on amending the provisions of the ageing test in Annex 15 of UN Regulation No. 67 and on the results of the ageing of material (e.g. rubber hoses) that is in contact with LPG. GRSG invited the task force to resume consideration of this subject and to submit in due time a proposal for consideration at the next GRSG session. ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/2 would be kept on the agenda as a reference document.
28. The expert from Germany presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 that amends the provisions of UN Regulation No. 67 to improve the specifications for the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connecting the pressure relief valve with the gaseous phase for multi-valve in the vehicle tanks and those for the installation and inspection of LPG containers and their accessories. The expert from OICA introduced GRSG-113-18 on modifications to the aging test requirements of some rubber materials and on further transitional provisions. The expert from AEGPL endorsed the proposal to avoid a ban of some technologies and materials. Both proposals received a number of comments.
29. GRSG agreed on the need to revise the requirements on pipes for multivalves on LPG containers and to keep, at the same time, the testing provisions technology neutral. Thus, GRSG agreed to set up a Task Force under the leadership of Germany to find a compromise and to prepare a revised proposal for consideration at the next GRSG. It was also agreed to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 on the agenda as a reference document. The secretariat was requested, in the absence of a revised proposal by the task force, to circulate GRSG-113-18 with an official symbol.
25. Reporting on a severe incident which happened in 2014 (GRSG-112-31), the expert from Germany proposed a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 67 to enhance the specifications for the LPG multi-valve. The experts from Italy, the Netherlands and Poland confirmed such risks and endorsed the need to adopt such new provisions. The expert from Germany volunteered to submit an official document for consideration at the next GRSG sessions, including transitional provisions.
26. The expert from Germany proposed to also strengthen the requirements in UN Regulation No. 67 for the installation and inspection of LPG-containers and their accessories (GRSG-112-32). GRSG welcomed the proposal. The Chair invited all GRSG experts to send their comments, in due time, to the expert from Germany and proposed to resume consideration of this subject at the next session of GRSG on the basis of combined (see para. 25. above) proposal.
32. Reporting on some cases of structural failures of cylinders in his country, the expert from Italy proposed amendments to Annex 3A on the test requirements for the periodic requalification of cylinders (GRSG-112-28). The expert from Finland stated that these test requirements on periodical inspections of CNG/LNG vehicles in use were only recommendations to be taken into account during the type approval procedure of a new type of vehicle. GRSG noted that Contracting Parties were used to perform on their national level the periodical technical inspections in different ways. Referring to GRSG-112-32 presented under agenda item 7 (see para. 26 above), the expert from Germany introduced GRSG-112-33 proposing to also strengthen the requirements in UN Regulation No. 110 for the installation on vehicles of CNG-cylinders, LNG-tanks and their accessories as well as for their subsequent inspection of without the need of disassembling the containers.
33. GRSG noted general support on the proposals. The Chair invited all GRSG experts to send their comments, in due time, to the experts from Germany and Italy. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session on the basis of official documents, prepared by Germany and Italy, taking into account the comments received.
GRSG-112-31 | |
GRSG-112-32 | |
GRSG-113-18 | |
GRSG/2018/2 | |
GRSG-114-08 | |
WP.29/2018/124 | |
GRSG-116-05/Rev.1 | |
GRSG-116-39 |