How to build a CNG Filling station

In Italy, depending on the region, a CNG filling station can be realized as a solely installation or in order to differentiate the fuel offer in an already existing station.
The procedure for the realization can be summarized as follow:

1. Planning / Feasibility

• Area location
  • eligibility in full obedience of the overall development plan
  • other restriction due local current regulations
  • possibility of connection to the natural gas grid
  • possibility of power supply
  • safety regulations
• Feasibility project
  • preliminary project of the installation
  • costs and profitability analysis of the investment
  • environmental impact analysis (use of renewable energies for energy consumption reduction)
• Authorizations inquiry
  • declaration of the suitability of the area for the pecific installation from the cognizant Municipality
  • fire department preventive advice
  • licence for fuel selling (station asset and mode of se - private or open to the public)
  • planning permission (from the cognizant Municipality), s well as the environmental impact nalysis and the sanitary authorization
  • permit for road access.

2. Final project

• Executive project and technical specifications
• Tender specifications (if necessary)
• Call for funds (if available).

3. R ealization / Work supervision / Final inspection

• Turn-key realization and full-service contract (for rivate fleet it may be included also the supply nd maintenance of the buses as well as the reorganization f the garages)
• Work supervision and safety coordination
• Final inspection and issuing of all permits necessary for the running of a CNG station (fiscal licence, fire prevention certificate, other authorizations).

Italian current regulations for CNG filling station realization

• D.M. 24 maggio 2002 e s.m.i. “Norme di prevenzione ncendi per la progettazione, costruzione ed sercizio degli impianti di distribuzione stradale i gas naturale per autotrazione” - fire prevention egulation for CNG road filling stations
• D.M. 24 novembre 1984 “Norme di sicurezza antincendio per il trasporto, la distribuzione, laccumulo e l’utilizzo del gas naturale con densità non superiore a 0,8 - Parte prima - Sezione terza per le condotte e i pezzi speciali dell’impianto gas” - fire prevention regulation for CNG tubing
• D.Lgs. n. 93 del 25 febbraio 2000 - Attuazione
• Direttiva 97/23/CE - for CNG vessels
• Norma CEI 64-8 (IV ed.) - for electrical system
• Direttiva 94/9/CE del 23 marzo 1994 (Atex) - for electrical system
• Norma CEI EN 60079-10 (classif. 31-30) “Costruzioni elettriche per atmosfere esplosive per la presenza di gas - Parte 10 - Classificazione dei luoghi pericolosi” - for electrical system in case of CNG installations
• Norma CEI 31-35 (classif. 31-35) “Costruzioni elettriche per atmosfere esplosive per la presenza di gas - Guida alla classificazione dei luoghi pericolosi” - for electrical system in case of CNG installations.