CNG Station Safety
CNG Equipment
Natural gas is supplied to our stations via pipeline after water vapor, sulfur and heavy hydrocarbons have been removed. It arrives at our stations at pressures between 100 and 150 psi. Our equipment compresses the gas so it can be used by dedicated, bi-fuel and dual-fuel natural gas vehicles.
The gas inlet supplies the gas to
the system from the pipeline and
regulates the gas flow rate.
The dryer removes any residual
water vapor by condensing it and
draining it out.
The gas passes through 3-5 stages
of compression to achieve target fill
pressures.
Compressors keep the storage
tanks full, making fuel available for
short fill times.
Dispensers distribute gas
from storage and then the
compressor.
Fill times are usually between 3 and 5 minutes depending on the amount
of storage at a station.
Natural Gas Safety
Natural gas is a safe alternative fuel with nearly 15 million Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) and over 20,000 refueling stations worldwide. It has been used as a transportation fuel since the 1930s but has been recently developed in response to increasing energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions concerns. The key safety features of CNG include:
Odorants detectable at 20% of the lowest ignitable limit are added to make the detection of natural gas possible before it reaches harmful levels.
Natural gas has a narrow flammability range making it difficult to ignite. It must be at a concentration of between 5% and 15% volume in the air to catch fire.
Natural gas is lighter than air and will dissipate rapidly rather than pool in one place, greatly reducing fire hazard.
CNG is non-toxic and poses no threat as either a ground or water contaminant.
Emergency Indicators and Actions
Because your safety is our highest priority, we would ask you to please review these safety instructions before fueling and to contact us immediately if you have any additional concerns.
Move to a safe place, then call 911
Fires at CNG fueling stations are very rare due to station safety enhancements and natural gas’s narrow flammability range. In the unlikely event of fire, please move to a safe place and call 911.
Push the emergency stop button, then call 1-800-920-1166
Pressure release devices relieve gas pressure buildup, consequently producing a loud popping sound. While this is not an immediate safety concern, please push the emergency stop button and call our 24 hour dispatch team.
Push the emergency stop button, then call 1-800-920-1166
If you detect an unusually strong odor of gas, see gas venting or hear a steady hissing sound, please push the emergency stop button and call our 24 hour dispatch team.
CNG Station Safety
CNG Station safety is a premeditated and recurring practice. Our technicians act as safety deputies, maintaining safe conditions and reacting quickly if necessary.
Station technicians routinely inspect and maintain the stations to guarantee the continued operation of station components and safety enhancements.
Our station engineers have enhanced the station with features that safely control the movement of gas.
System controls monitor equipment performance and automatically shut down a station in the event of unsafe fueling conditions.
Our 24 hour dispatch team provides around-the-clock monitoring and support. We can shut down a station and dispatch a technician as needed.
CNG Fueling Safety
Your safety is our highest priority. We employ all of the following hose and dispenser features to guarantee your safety while you fuel at your station.
If a Customer drives off with the hose still attached, a breakaway device will cause a one-way check valve to close and cut off the supply of gas.
Manual shut off valves can be used to turn off the dispensers and shut off the supply of gas to a hose.
Emergency Shutdown (ESD) buttons are located in several places on site and will cause a station to shut down entirely when pushed.