Virginia Clean Cities (VCC), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy in accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992, is holding a training and certification course on compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, associated regulations, component and line fabrications, driver education requirements, and diagnostic testing components from Aug. 22 through Aug. 26, in partnership with TFC Recycling in Chesapeake, Va.
According to VCC, the course combines classroom instruction and theory with the opportunity to apply concepts through hands-on activities with TFC Recycling’s active CNG service station, as students will be given the opportunity to apply best practices on a CNG fleet. This course will emphasize testing at the end of each module prior to participating in active lab work.
At the conclusion of the training, participants will have satisfactorily completed 40 hours of training for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 52, CNG Theory, Safety, Troubleshooting and Diagnostics for Compressed Natural Gas vehicles for the 2013 NFPA standards.
Specifically, the major instructional areas will cover the following:
- Theory and history of CNG;
- Installation and training with Swagelok products;
- System operation with Agility fuel systems;
- Understanding NFPA 52 Vehicular Gaseous Fuel Systems Code;
- Installing CNG components;
- Programming and calibrating CNG components; and
- Diagnosis and troubleshooting.
The course objectives are as follows:
- Understanding the history and theory of CNG as an alternative fuel source;
- Knowledge of alternative fuels technical definitions;
- Safety precautions relative to natural gas properties;
- Preparing for fuel system inspection;
- Correctly installing tube fittings and end connections;
- Recognizing the causes of leaks, and troubleshooting issues correctly;
- Knowledge of the fuel system structure and components;
- Correct operation and maintenance of CNG vehicles;
- Understanding all of the NFPA 52 code information as it relates to CNG;
- Identifying hardware requirements and software installation needs;
- Programming and calibrating the vehicle engine control unit;
- Diagnosing engine control unit errors, and performing necessary injector testing;
- Correctly understanding schematics; and
- Successfully completing the CSA America CNG certification examination.
VCC says that the registration fee is $1,200, including all course materials and lunch each day.
