Flame arrest gauze.

[DennisBuckland]

To pass the BWB Safety check my petrol engined 20 foot sailing boat needs some flame arrest gauze soldering around the drip tray. I only need a piece about 8 inches in diameter but can find none anywhere. Please can anybody tell me where it is available?

Many thanks indeed.

 

[Searush]

I suggest you look for a fine mesh metal gauze rather than asking for "flame arrest gauze". Think Davey lamp for the principle.

If you get some gauze, test it with a gas stove by allowing gas to pass through the gauze & lighting it. The flame should not pass through to the gas jet. But do be careful & turn the gas off pretty quickly as it will gather behind & the flame may pass around the gauze! This is why they are telling you to solder the gauze to the tray.

 

[Searush]

Actually, thinking about this. Where is the safety benefit? The risk with petrol is that fumes may gather to an explosive level & be triggered by a spark. Gauze will not prevent fumes dissipating as spilt fuel evaporates. Therefore the risk of explosion is not reduced. All that gauze will do is stop any fuel in the drip tray catching fire when your boat blows up. I doubt you will give a damn if that happens as you will probably already be dead.

Bloody stupid regulations! Or have I missed something here?