U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program – Safety, Codes and Standards

Hydrogen Fueling Station Layout (Text Version)

This animation of a typical hydrogen service station displays the setbacks required for hydrogen dispensing, compression, generation, and storage equipment, as well as areas that aren't restricted by IFC setback limits.

A 3900 sq ft food market food market and a parking lot are located in the upper-right corner of the lot. A car wash, a parking lot, and a trash enclosure are located on the left side of the lot. A fuel dispensing island with a canopy is located in the bottom-right corner of the lot. A secondary street is located along the right side of the lot, and a primary street is located along the bottom of the lot.

Setback details are provided for the various areas of the lot:

  • Food market (non-combustible building) — 5 ft setback

  • Wall opening/door of food market — 20 ft setback

  • Parking areas — 15 ft setback (0 ft for dispensers)

  • Lot — 10 ft setback (sidewalks and parking setbacks are 15 ft)

  • Liquefied petroleum gas replacement rack (at bottom-right of food market) — 50 ft setback

  • ID sign (at bottom-right of lot) — 10 ft setback

  • UST fills and openings — 20 ft setback

  • Canopy — no setback (where designed to prevent H2 accumulation)

  • Carwash (non-combustible building) — 10 ft setback (25 ft setback at combustible overhead doors)

  • Dumpsters (trash enclosure) — greater than 40.5 cu ft setback (5 ft Section 304.3 IFC)