The attached photo was taken today at the 200 S station. It was only a matter of time with the near tragedy in Orem and also the cylinder shooting off a truck bed smashing the dispenser at 200 S, both in a matter of a few weeks...
I think everyone here knows my opinion of the many non-certified "CNG conversion kits" that have proliferated in Utah in recent months. Of course, many of them have been installed professionally in accordance with NFPA-52 safety standards. But the problem is accountability. Those who certify with EPA not only prove out the emissions and onboard diagnostics (OBDII) but also are required to attest that all modifications to the vehicle will be performed in accordance with ANSI/NFPA-52 and NGV1 standards; that defeat devices are not employed; that the components are durable; and that the fuel system is tamper-proof. All EPA certified vehicle retrofits are subject to random EPA Confirmatory Testing in Ann Arbor, which includes not only emissions and monitoring control (OBDII) confirmation but also “shed” leak detection and visual safety inspections as well.
If any EPA certified vehicles are found to not have been provided with systems meeting such standards the SVM (small volume manufacturer) risks revocation of the certification. Thus the SVMs who provide such products exercise great care in selecting automotive facilities which have deep expertise in compressed gaseous fuel systems before authorizing the installation onto any vehicle. In summary, the federal government classifies SVMs in the same manner as the large OEMs, including the requirement for product recalls, etc.
Non-certified “conversion kits” have no such safety attestation requirement imposed by any authoritative body. No record is maintained by the manufacturer of these “kits” so as to provide a regulatory agency with owner of record information in the event product recalls are imposed, etc.
So although I played no role in the sign being posted at Questar today, I heartily approve of this action by Questar.
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WARNING
Only NGV's with EPA-certified conversion kits may fuel at this site.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) should only be used in vehicles equipped with EPA-certified CNG conversion kits and installed in compliance with the NFPA Vehicular Fuel Systems Code.
Operating a vehicle (including the fueling of that vehicle) with a CNG kit that does not meet these requirements could result in significant damage to your vehicle, serious bodily injury or even death.
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I think everyone here knows my opinion of the many non-certified "CNG conversion kits" that have proliferated in Utah in recent months. Of course, many of them have been installed professionally in accordance with NFPA-52 safety standards. But the problem is accountability. Those who certify with EPA not only prove out the emissions and onboard diagnostics (OBDII) but also are required to attest that all modifications to the vehicle will be performed in accordance with ANSI/NFPA-52 and NGV1 standards; that defeat devices are not employed; that the components are durable; and that the fuel system is tamper-proof. All EPA certified vehicle retrofits are subject to random EPA Confirmatory Testing in Ann Arbor, which includes not only emissions and monitoring control (OBDII) confirmation but also “shed” leak detection and visual safety inspections as well.
If any EPA certified vehicles are found to not have been provided with systems meeting such standards the SVM (small volume manufacturer) risks revocation of the certification. Thus the SVMs who provide such products exercise great care in selecting automotive facilities which have deep expertise in compressed gaseous fuel systems before authorizing the installation onto any vehicle. In summary, the federal government classifies SVMs in the same manner as the large OEMs, including the requirement for product recalls, etc.
Non-certified “conversion kits” have no such safety attestation requirement imposed by any authoritative body. No record is maintained by the manufacturer of these “kits” so as to provide a regulatory agency with owner of record information in the event product recalls are imposed, etc.
So although I played no role in the sign being posted at Questar today, I heartily approve of this action by Questar.
------------------------------
WARNING
Only NGV's with EPA-certified conversion kits may fuel at this site.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) should only be used in vehicles equipped with EPA-certified CNG conversion kits and installed in compliance with the NFPA Vehicular Fuel Systems Code.
Operating a vehicle (including the fueling of that vehicle) with a CNG kit that does not meet these requirements could result in significant damage to your vehicle, serious bodily injury or even death.
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