by US correspondent Roger Renstrom
Product safety certifier Underwriters Laboratories Inc (UL), of Northbrook, is creating a standard for an emerging power source for forklifts.

UL Standard 2267 will cover fuel cell power systems for installation in industrial electric trucks.

"Creation of this standard is a clear harbinger of what is to come," said Gus Block, chair of the Fuel Cell Working Group for the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), of Washington, DC, USA, and director of business development for Nuvera Fuel Cells Inc, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

"At every meeting of the ITA, the subject of fuel cells is definitely high on the agenda," Block said. "Use of fuel cells will cause a fairly significant transformation for the [forklift] industry."

Until now, UL has not addressed standards for any forklift or automotive fuel cell applications. Existing standards cover forklifts with internal combustion (UL 558) or electric battery (UL 583) powered engines.

During 2005, UL circulated an initial ballot in July and closed acceptance of votes on a second ballot in December. While the Standards Technical Panel (STP) for UL 2267 has reached a consensus, "we are currently working through the latest set of comments", said Susan Malohn, UL project manager.

"Once those are reviewed, the standard will probably be revised."
Members of separate STPs on industrial trucks and cleaning machines "will have a chance to change their previous votes in light of the revised requirements before moving forward to publication," Malohn said. No publication date has been set.

The proposal covers self-contained or integrated fuel cell power systems supplying a maximum power of 150 volts and installed in Type E, EE and ES forklifts for low and high-lift uses, guided and automated systems, rough terrain units, cranes and tow tractors. Hydrogen-gas-fuelled systems are included.

UL tests and certifies the safety of products as an independent, not-for-profit organisation.