Bear Valley Unified School District (BVUSD) provides pupil transportation services for students in the communities of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas. The MSRC has partnered with BVUSD in demonstrating low-emission natural gas buses and assisted in the demonstration and construction of onsite natural gas refueling infrastructure. This project continues the partnership between BVUSD and the MSRC through the support of upgrades to the school bus maintenance facility to accommodate the indoor maintenance of their growing fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
150,000
Gaseous fuel vehicles, including those that utilize natural gas, pose unique operational requirements when conducting vehicle maintenance in an enclosed environment. This is due to natural gas being less dense than air - it tends to rise and pool at ceiling height, and due to its potential flammability, creates a risk of fire if inadvertently ignited by an open heater flame or electrical spark. Thus, to facilitate indoor maintenance in which a release of natural gas might occur, diligence must be exercised to ensure the facility has adequate ventilation, methane gas detection to alert personal in the event of a fuel leak, and that heaters and electrical devices are properly shielded.
BVUSD contracted with Seimens Industry, Inc. to design, engineer, construct, and install all the necessary alterations and equipment associated with the maintenance facility modifications. The modifications associated with the maintenance facility included the installation of a gas detection system and alarms, installation of new infrared heaters and control system, and upgraded ventilation and facility doors.
The objective of this project was to assist BVUSD in retrofitting their existing bus maintenance facility to allow the indoor maintenance of compressed natural gas school buses.
The work performed in modifying the BVUSD maintenance facility ensures compliance with all relevant and necessary safety standards. The maintenance facility, along with the previous installation of an onsite CNG refueling station enabled BVUSD to replace five older, diesel buses with five new CNG school buses. BVUSD intends to continue the transition of its remaining diesel school bus fleet to lower-emission natural gas school buses.
The maintenance facility modifications were complete and functional as of October 29, 2013. No technical or programmatic issues were encountered.