Standard for petrol installation

[joliette]

My fuel tanks are constructed, as per the original design for my boat (Levi Settimo Velo) out of Plywood and GRP, to a good standard with alloy inspection hatches, bronze inlet, breather and outlet. I am planning to pressure test them and renovate them as necessary, before I put them in use.

I notice that the Boat Safety Scheme gives the OK to GRP Diesel tanks but does not accept GRP for Petrol. Any idea why? My boat will not be used on Inland Waterways so I do not need BSS certification.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a standard for petrol tank and fuel pipe installation, preferably on-line? I would like to utilise the existing tanks and get the boat set up with all of the correct pipe work, shut off valves, fuel sniffers and auto extinguishers etc.

My project can be followed on: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=179427293999

 

[sarabande]

I had a feeling that ABYC

http://www.abycinc.org/committees/index.cfm

had some standards, but it probably needs some more digging as their website is under reconstruction.


This chap may have some published relevant work

http://www.davidpascoe.com/survey_book_chapt13.htm


It certainly looks as if you are doing a proper job on the boat !

 

[Cliveshep]

Hmmmm...........Sarabande, those are both from the "country cousins" across the pond. Anything home-grown you'd know about?

 

[sarabande]

CS

I've no issue with USA standards being better or worse than EU ones. Joliette just asked for some tech info on installations. As he's clearly doing a 'platinum' standard refurb, and in the absence of any UK definitions, the USA ones might be a start.

Some more , here

www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/regs/nonroad/marinesi-equipld/420r08016-chp04.pdf

The USCG standard is CFR 183.580 sub part J. A DIY discussion is on the Practical Sailor site
http://www.practical-sailor.com/tools/fiberglass_fuel_tanks.html


The NMMA has lots of standards applied to US craft which are being shipped to the EU, and it's an easy bet to look forward to similar standards appearing over here.


http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/fuel.html also is useful.


I have just found a resource which might be useful for other design issues, too. It's in a forum format which might be familiar to you !

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/fuel-water-black-water-tank-construction-1860.html


There's nothing that I can find in the UK on this short trawl, but I hope this is all pointing towards a 'best practice' installation to satisfy the insurers, and make sure that J's boat is as a safe as practically possible.

 

[prv]

Petrol is very rarely used here any more, so I'm not surprised there are no current standards. The US seems to be slightly more keen on it, hence they have the docs.

 

[lenseman]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a standard for petrol tank and fuel pipe installation, preferably on-line?

I used to work with the Euronorm Standards (EN:xxxxx: xxxx) when I was in enforcement.

I was in government radio and communications and research and enforcement so I don't know very much about fuel tanks but you could start with this page from which you might be able to glean some info or other ISO code which might help:

http://www.techstreet.com/cgi-bin/detail?product_id=1110228


I hope this helps?

 

[vyv_cox]

My fuel tanks are constructed, as per the original design for my boat (Levi Settimo Velo) out of Plywood and GRP, to a good standard with alloy inspection hatches, bronze inlet, breather and outlet. I am planning to pressure test them and renovate them as necessary, before I put them in use.

I notice that the Boat Safety Scheme gives the OK to GRP Diesel tanks but does not accept GRP for Petrol. Any idea why? My boat will not be used on Inland Waterways so I do not need BSS certification.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a standard for petrol tank and fuel pipe installation, preferably on-line? I would like to utilise the existing tanks and get the boat set up with all of the correct pipe work, shut off valves, fuel sniffers and auto extinguishers etc.

My project can be followed on: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=179427293999

Link here http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap2.pdf definitely says GRP should not be used for petrol but OK for diesel.

 

[Cliveshep]

Sarabande - thanks for the links. I was being a bit cheeky as there was an issue over petrol boats on another forum and I was a bit stumped when I thought about it as most of my info is old and pre-dated BSS. I am aware and do visit the boat design forum occasionally - quite useful! The only petrol I ever use is on the two tenders as my boat is a diesel.

 

[sarabande]

Lenseman is spot on as usual.

Standards are here at his link, if you use "petrol tanks" as the search term.


but why does one have to buy them ?

Cliveshep - no issue. I am really surprised at the dearth of info on this design topic.

 

[joliette]

Thank you for your help.

Am I right in thinking that boats only need to comply with the Boat Safety Scheme if
they are on UK Inland Waterways? My boat will only be used on tidal waters so I guess that I do not have to comply with it....

I managed to obtain a copy of the Recreational Craft Directive, the Boat Builders Guide from the BMF. However, this is very high level: http://www.britishmarine.co.uk/upload_pub/RCD_Boatbuilders_Guide_Apr06.pdf To get down to the specifics you have to pay to access the standards through http://www.rcdweb.com/

I checked my insurance policy and the Insurer is interested in fire prevention systems, rather than any specific construction standards. Anyway, this is a restoration project and not a new boat so I am looking to adopt best practice, where it is realistic to do so (without taking the whole boat apart, unless absoutely necessary).