Proposal to require in the case where ogive protective covers are fitted to a cylinder that the covers be removed before conducting the impact damage (drop) test.

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.

Proposal to establish a requirement for easy access to the CNG container installation in order to permit visual (periodical) inspection as a means to reduce the safety risks, such as refueling explosion, due to corrosion.

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.

The target of the meeting was to define essential periodic inspection requirements to be respected when installing gaseous fuel components into a vehicle, and to clarify the material requirements for components inside the LPG tank. The work addressed UN R67 and UN R110. No further meetings are planned at this time.

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.

Proposal to delete the reference to visual inspection under the support straps of the cylinders from the text under consideration. Such inspection would require dismantling of the cylinder installations which would contravene the consensus decision to avoid such exhaustive dismantling.

29. The expert from OICA presented GRSG-114-26 proposing to amend the specifications for inspection of CNG-cylinders / LNG-tanks and their accessories. GRSG did not support the proposal.

Proposal for a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 110 to improve the specifications for the installation and inspection of CNG cylinders and of LNG tanks and their accessories. This proposal addresses incidents caused by cylinder corrosion. The proposal aims to reinforce the requirements for adequate cylinder protection and for sufficient access to the cylinder and its accessories to allow regular visual inspection.

39. The expert from Germany introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 to improve the specifications for the installation and inspection of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders or of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and their accessories. GRSG welcomed the proposal and noted that WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1997 Agreement were expected to consider and adopt ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 on a new UN Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using CNG and/or LNG in their propulsion system. The proposal from Germany received a number of comments, especially on the need to align the recommendations for the periodical technical inspections of such vehicles with the specifications for the re-qualification of the CNG cylinders or LNG tanks. GRSG noted the comments received by the experts from NGV Global (GRSG-113-03) and OICA (GRSG-113-20).

40. The expert from Italy proposed to amend in Annex 3A of the Regulation the test requirements for the periodic requalification of CNG cylinders to avoid structural failures during their service life (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29). The expert from the Netherlands raised his concern on the access by inspection centres to detailed provisions for the inspection of such cylinders. Thus, he underlined the need that cylinder manufacturers should make available cylinder inspection manuals. GRSG welcomed the offer by Germany to take the lead of a Task Force to review ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29. It was agreed to also involve the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA) in the discussion and to resume consideration of this subject at its next GRSG session in April 2018.

28. The expert from Germany introduced GRSG-114-10 on the outcome of the task force on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 which was on improving the provisions for installing and inspecting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and their accessories. The expert from Italy preferred a more accurate inspection of such containers without the removal of structural parts (GRSG-114-19). After discussion, GRSG agreed to add design requirements that allow easy periodical technical inspections. The expert from the Netherlands requested that container manufacturers provide more detailed recommendations for periodical technical inspections and for periodic requalification tests, and requested that these recommendations be stored and made available for all inspections.

30. Finally, GRSG considered a revised proposal (GRSG-114-10-Rev.1) and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 as reproduced below. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 110 for consideration at their November 2018 sessions.

Insert a new paragraph 18.1.6.1., to read:

Proposal to require, in instances where ogive protective covers are fitted to a cylinder, that the covers be removed before conducting the impact damage (drop) test.

40. The expert from Italy proposed to amend in Annex 3A of the Regulation the test requirements for the periodic requalification of CNG cylinders to avoid structural failures during their service life (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29). The expert from the Netherlands raised his concern on the access by inspection centres to detailed provisions for the inspection of such cylinders. Thus, he underlined the need that cylinder manufacturers should make available cylinder inspection manuals. GRSG welcomed the offer by Germany to take the lead of a Task Force to review ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29. It was agreed to also involve the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA) in the discussion and to resume consideration of this subject at its next GRSG session in April 2018.

31. The expert from Italy, in reference to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29, proposed to amend Annex 3A of the Regulation, i.e. the test requirements for the periodic requalification of CNG cylinders to avoid structural failures during their service life (GRSG-114-32), including new provisions for a mandatory impact damage test for all cylinders without the use of shoulder pads. GRSG welcomed the specific test reports provided by Italy on CNG4 cylinders (GRSG-114-07, GRSG-114-14, GRSG-114-15). GRSG noted concerns and comments. Finally, GRSG agreed to refer it to the task force and to resume consideration of this subject at its next session on the basis of a revised official document.

Proposal to clarify visibility requirements for CNG cylinders, LNG tanks, and their accessories to facilitate external inspections (e.g. for periodic technical inspection).

114. The Chair of GRSG presented proposals on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/123 to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/126 under agenda items 4.7.4 to 4.7.7, to amend UN Regulations Nos. 46, 67, 105 and 110. The World Forum recommended their submission to AC.1 for voting.