Re: Making your own fuel tank. What are the legal rules?
[CITE: 33CFR183.510]<br /><br />[Page 777-778]<br /> <br /> TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS<br /> <br /> CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)<br /> <br />PART 183--BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents<br /> <br /> Subpart J--Fuel Systems<br /> <br />Sec. 183.510 Fuel tanks.<br /><br /> (a) Each fuel tank in a boat must have been tested by its <br />manufacturer<br /><br />[[Page 778]]<br /><br />under Sec. 183.580 and not leak when subjected to the pressure marked on <br />the tank label under Sec. 183.514(b)(5).<br /> (b) Each fuel tank must not leak if subjected to the fire test under <br />Sec. 183.590. Leakage is determined by the static pressure test under <br />Sec. 183.580, except that the test pressure must be at least one-fourth <br />PSIG.<br /> (c) Each fuel tank of less than 25 gallons capacity must not leak if <br />tested under Sec. 183.584.<br /> (d) Each fuel tank with a capacity of 25 to 199 gallons must not <br />leak if tested under Sec. 183.586.<br /> (e) Each fuel tank of 200 gallons capacity or more must not leak if <br />tested under Secs. 183.586 and 183.588.<br /><br />[CGD 74-209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 81-092, 48 FR <br />55736, Dec. 15, 1983]<br /><br />[CITE: 33CFR183.512]<br /><br />[Page 778]<br /> <br /> TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS<br /> <br /> CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)<br /> <br />PART 183--BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents<br /> <br /> Subpart J--Fuel Systems<br /> <br />Sec. 183.512 Fuel tanks: Prohibited materials.<br /><br /> (a) A fuel tank must not be constructed from terneplate.<br /> (b) Unless it has an inorganic sacrificial galvanic coating on the <br />inside and outside of the tank, a fuel tank must not be constructed from <br />black iron or carbon steel.<br /> (c) A fuel tank encased in cellular plastic or in fiber reinforced <br />plastic must not be constructed from a ferrous alloy.<br /><br />[CGD 74-209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977; 42 FR 24739, May 16, 1977]<br /><br /> <br />Sec. 183.590 Fire test.<br /><br /> (a) A piece of equipment is tested under the following conditions <br />and procedures:<br /> (1) Fuel stop valves, USCG Type A1'' or USCG Type A2'' hoses and <br />hose clamps are tested in a fire chamber.<br /> (2) Fuel filters, strainers, and pumps are tested in a fire chamber <br />or as installed on the engine in the boat.<br /> (3) Fuel tanks must be tested filled with fuel to one-fourth the <br />capacity marked on the tank in a fire chamber or in an actual or <br />simulated hull section.<br /> (b) Each fire test is conducted with free burning heptane and the <br />component must be subjected to a flame for 2\1/2\ minutes.<br /> (c) If the component is tested in a fire chamber:<br /><br />[[Page 784]]<br /><br /> (1) The temperature within one inch of the component must be at <br />least 648 deg.C sometime during the 2\1/2\ minute test;<br /> (2) The surface of the heptane must be 8 to 10 inches below the <br />component being tested; and<br /> (3) The heptane must be in a container that is large enough to <br />permit the perimeter of the top surface of the heptane to extend beyond <br />the vertical projection of the perimeter of the component being tested.<br /> (d) If the component is being tested as installed on an engine, <br />heptane sufficient to burn 2\1/2\ minutes must be poured over the <br />component and allowed to run into a flat bottomed pan under the engine. <br />The pan must be large enough to permit the perimeter of the top surface <br />of the heptane to extend beyond the vertical projection of the perimeter <br />of the engine.<br /> (e) If a fuel tank is being tested in an actual or simulated hull <br />section, the actual or simulated hull section must be of sufficient size <br />to contain enough heptane to burn for 2\1/2\ minutes in a place adjacent <br />to the tank.<br /><br />[CGD 74-209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 77-98, 42 FR <br />36253, July 14, 1977; CGD 85-098, 52 FR 19729, May 27, 1987]
