Daimlerchrysler Southeast Asia Pte Ltd opened a maintenance facility centre for Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell in Singapore - first of its kind in the region - following the launch of its "F Cell" A-Class cars in the country.

It is located at the Mercedes Benz Service Centre in the industrial area of Pandan Loop.

Equipped with hydrogen detectors and hydrogen detection leakage panel, these features set it apart from normal maintenance workshops for gasoline-powered cars.

It also has a special safety system - hydrogen detectors installed on the ceiling of the maintenance facility centre with the panel linking all detectors to the ventilation system, ceiling lights, car, audio and visual alarms.

Upon receiving a signal from the detectors, the control unit will activate safety measures according to the level of hydrogen detected in the atmosphere. On detection of 1 per cent of hydrogen in the atmosphere, the ventilation system will be activated where the blowers will provide six air changes every hour.

On detection of over l per cent volume of hydrogen, the ventilation system will provide 10 air changes per hour.

Other safety features of the F-Cell facility centre are: the gas warning sensor technology with alarm activation; electrical supply and emergency lighting; and automatic vehicle disconnection.

The construction of the centre began in December 2003 and was completed three and a half months later. It was officially opened in April 2004.