The present invention is a method of operating a fuel cell stack and system that minimizes the potential for having a large pressure differential between the anode and cathode flow fields and a low relative humidity occurrence within the cathode flow fields. The present invention is an L-shaped guard with a round bonding facet that is conjoined to the anterior extremity of the spigot cock; a gasket is postured against the guard, the spout is inserted through the gasket and then fastened into the output hole of the spigot cock such that the guard is tightly mounted onto the spigot cock. The perpendicular distance from the first contact end to the carrying plane is greater than that from the second contact end to the carrying plane.