2.1 Filling pipes shall be taken to deck level or so

arranged as to ensure that any fuel overflowing

will not be discharged into any part of the

vessel including the bilges.

2.2 The filling pipe shall have an internal diameter

of at least 38mm (11/2ins), and any flexible

hose shall be of non-kinking material suitable

for the fuel used, and must be connected with

leakproof joints between the top of the tank

and a screwcap or plate forming the filling

connection. Deck filling connections shall be

outside the coaming. All flexible hoses shall be

adequately supported and of minimum

practicable length, with all joints or connections

readily accessible. [see Exemption 11.1]

2.3 All deck and fuel filling connections shall be

situated so as to minimise the risk of crosscontamination

and shall be clearly marked on

the deck fittings or immediately beside then

indicating the purpose of each connection and,

in the case of fuel connections, the exact type

of fuel.

2.4 A vent pipe of minimum practicable length with

an internal diameter of not less than 12mm

(1/2ins) shall be fitted at the highest point of

every fuel tank and connected with leakproof

joints. The material used shall be non-kinking

and suitable for use with the fuel concerned.

[see Exemption 11.2]

2.5 A vent pipe shall extend to a height equal to or

greater than that of the deck filling connection

and the open end of a vent pipe shall be fitted

in a position where no danger will be incurred

from escaping fuel or vapour. Each opening

shall be furnished with an effective wire gauze

diaphragm flame arrester of non-corrosive

material. The flame arrester shall be fitted with

gauze of mesh not less than 11 to the linear

centimetre (28 to the linear ins.) and the total

area of the clear openings of the gauze shall

not be less than the cross-sectional area of the

air pipe.

2.6 Fuel tanks shall be properly secured and be

installed as low as practicable and shall be

constructed of a suitable non-corrosive material.

Materials used in the construction of fuel tanks

shall have a fire resistance of 30 minutes in

accordance with BS 476: Part 20. Tanks shall

have sustained a pressure test of 0.25kgf/cm2

(3.5lbf/in2) before installation and be marked to

indicate this. All joints and seams of tanks shall

be efficiently welded, brazed or close rivetted to

sustain a pressure test of 0.25kgf/cm2

(3.5lbf/in2). [see Exemption 11.3]

2.7 No petrol or paraffin tank of more than

2.5 litres (1/2 gallon) shall be installed within

1 metre (391/2ins) of any engine or heating

appliance unless it is insulated and protected

by an efficient baffle of fire resistant material.

2.8 Glass or plastic fuel sight tube gauges shall not

be used. Fuel level indicators, if fitted, shall be

of a type which does not allow escape of fuel

or vapour in the event of damage to the

indicator. Dipsticks when fitted shall be

calibrated and only used via gas-tight fittings.

Where a dipstick is used it must be made so it

cannot strike the bottom of the tank. [see

Exemption 11.4]

2.9 Fuel tanks shall be accessible and all

connections shall be readily accessible

for inspection.

2.10 Tanks shall be effectively bonded by low

resistance metallic conductors of adequate

strength to their deck filling connections, and in

the case of a non-conducting deck or hull, tanks

shall also be electrically bonded to an earth point

in direct electrical contact with the surrounding

water, for the discharge of static electricity.

2.11 Tanks may be drained only by a suitable drain

valve fitted with a plug on the outlet. [see

Exemption 11.5]

2.12 The fuel supply shall be drawn through the top

of the tank or as near to the top of the tank as

is practicable by means of an internal pipe

extending to near the bottom of the tank. In the

case only of gravity-feed systems a feed from a

cock or valve directly screwed in near the

bottom of the tank is permitted. Any return fuel

line required to be connected to the fuel tank

shall be connected through the top of the tank

or as near to the top as is practicable. [see

Exemption 11.6]

2.13 All fixed fuel feeds and pipes permanently

charged with fuel shall be made of softened

copper, stainless steel, aluminium alloy, or (for

diesel installations only) mild steel of suitable

size, fixed clear of exhaust systems and heating

apparatus and adequately supported to

minimise vibration and strain. Balance pipes are

only permitted in diesel fuelled installations. Any

balance pipe between fuel tanks must comply

with the requirements of this standard and must

in addition be fitted with valves directly attached

to the tank and so constructed that the valves

will not become slack when operated. [see

Exemption 11.7]