Overview
ISO/TR 15916:2015 - Basic considerations for the safety of hydrogen systems is a technical report that provides guidance on the safe use of hydrogen in gaseous and liquid forms and on storage in those forms or as hydrides. It identifies fundamental hazards, relevant hydrogen properties, and risk factors that affect system safety. This document addresses normal hydrogen (1H2) only and is intended as high‑level guidance; detailed, application‑specific safety requirements are provided in separate International Standards.
Key topics
ISO/TR 15916:2015 covers a wide range of foundational safety topics, including:
- Hydrogen properties: atomic/molecular characteristics, thermophysical and combustion properties relevant to safety (flammability, ignition energy, deflagration/detonation).
- System overview: production, storage, transport, typical components (vessels, piping, flow controls, pressure relief, detectors).
- Hazards and risks: combustion and explosion hazards, pressure and cryogenic (low‑temperature) hazards, hydrogen embrittlement and material compatibility, health risks (asphyxiation, cold burns).
- Mitigation and control: inherently safer design principles, material selection, pressure‑relief strategies, cleaning, prevention of unwanted hydrogen/oxidizer mixtures, ignition control, deflagration/detonation considerations.
- Detection and protection: gas and fire detection, ventilation, electrical equipment, alarms, fire‑fighting and emergency response.
- Operational and organizational measures: procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE), training, maintenance, inspections, and safety management practices.
Practical applications and users
This technical report is practical for professionals and organizations involved in hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, including:
- Safety and process engineers designing hydrogen systems and facilities
- System integrators working on hydrogen production, storage, transport, and fueling stations
- Facility operators of industrial plants, cryogenic storage, and refuelling infrastructure
- Materials and testing engineers addressing hydrogen embrittlement and component selection
- Regulators, policymakers, and emergency responders establishing safety frameworks and response plans
- Academic and research teams developing hydrogen applications or risk assessments
ISO/TR 15916:2015 helps users perform hazard identification, select mitigations, and develop training, operating procedures, and emergency plans. It is especially useful as a baseline safety reference when planning hydrogen projects or integrating hydrogen into existing processes.
Related standards
ISO/TR 15916:2015 is a guidance document; detailed, prescriptive safety requirements for specific hydrogen applications are covered in separate International Standards (for equipment, fuelling stations, materials, and testing). Use ISO/TR 15916 as the foundational safety overview and consult the applicable standards for design, installation, testing, and certification requirements.
Keywords: ISO/TR 15916:2015, hydrogen safety, hydrogen systems, hydrogen storage, hydrogen hazards, hydrogen embrittlement, flammability, cryogenic hydrogen.
