University of Washington

 Undergraduate Fuel Cell Research

   
 

Hydrogen Safety: Designing Characteristics
   

H2 Characteristics

Main Safety Page

The Hindenburg

 

 As with any fuel, extensive safety precautions must be taken when handling hydrogen:
  • In particular, hydrogen’s ease of ignition in confined spaces requires special attention to monitoring gas build-up and proper ventilation of the fuel cell compartment.
  • Automatic shutdown systems which are actuated when an excessive leak is detected  are required.

The problems associated with the safe use of hydrogen may differ from those of conventional fuels, but as long as these problems are addressed, hydrogen can be just as safe, and in some ways, safer to use.