Fuel System Bluebook Compliance Help
Discussion
Hi all,
After a few words of wisdom on what I need to do to get my fuel cell / system blue book compliant.....
Have attached some pics of it in its current state which is how I bought the car. Kinda wish it had just kept its original fuel tank tbh as it would make my life a bit easier, but never mind - will just need to make it work!
As I understand it, it’ll need a lid over the enclosure sealing it off, that’s fine enough and probably easily sorted.
However, am I right in saying that it’s also going to need a spill tray / collector as well? If so does anyone have any recommendations? I’ve done a bit of googling without a lot of luck.
Any other considerations I should be aware of?
TIA
After a few words of wisdom on what I need to do to get my fuel cell / system blue book compliant.....
Have attached some pics of it in its current state which is how I bought the car. Kinda wish it had just kept its original fuel tank tbh as it would make my life a bit easier, but never mind - will just need to make it work!
As I understand it, it’ll need a lid over the enclosure sealing it off, that’s fine enough and probably easily sorted.
However, am I right in saying that it’s also going to need a spill tray / collector as well? If so does anyone have any recommendations? I’ve done a bit of googling without a lot of luck.
Any other considerations I should be aware of?
TIA
Personally I would do it the other way around as there is little point getting it regs proof only to rip it apart again later. What are you planning on entering? The best thing to do would be to get in touch with the clubs scrutineers and see what they say as they will be the ones checking your car ultimately.
Sorry, shoulda worded that better - i've no intentions of ripping it all apart further down the line, I meant i'm just trying to figure out what i need to incorporate in to the refresh as a whole to ensure that its going to be compliant.
It'll be going in to a championship up here in Scotland at Knockhill.
I'm mainly surprised at the lack of available spill trays on the market - most of the options i'm finding are from overseas. Id have thoguht it would be a much more readily available item given the requirement to have one, i'm hoping im missing something in that respect!
It'll be going in to a championship up here in Scotland at Knockhill.
I'm mainly surprised at the lack of available spill trays on the market - most of the options i'm finding are from overseas. Id have thoguht it would be a much more readily available item given the requirement to have one, i'm hoping im missing something in that respect!
A scruitineer may wish to see intumescent sealant as well if there isn't a bulkhead between you and the tank.
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/automotive-plumbin... and some hosing to expell and spilt fuel out of the car.
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/automotive-plumbin... and some hosing to expell and spilt fuel out of the car.
Edited by andrewcliffe on Thursday 6th February 09:44
The tank and filling point need to be sealed off from the passenger compartment. As above Any breathers, vents or splash bowl drains need to exit outside the car.
Section 5.13 in the MUK bluebook has the regs for the fuel system for all vehicles, freely downloadable to licence holders and non licence holders alike. Nothing over and above this is in the hillclimb regs apart from the fuel shut off, if you are on an electrical pump the ignition switch should do this
Years ago I had a rally car with an passenger cell fuel tank but it filled from outside the passenger cell. So no faffing about having to lift a lid on or access the box the tank was in.
Section 5.13 in the MUK bluebook has the regs for the fuel system for all vehicles, freely downloadable to licence holders and non licence holders alike. Nothing over and above this is in the hillclimb regs apart from the fuel shut off, if you are on an electrical pump the ignition switch should do this
Years ago I had a rally car with an passenger cell fuel tank but it filled from outside the passenger cell. So no faffing about having to lift a lid on or access the box the tank was in.
As others have said, the fuel system has to be enclosed behind a bulkhead to separate it from you. an option may be to shorten the filler neck so that is below the level of the top of that enclosure, fit a spill bowl/drip trap and route the pipe (metal) to outside. The cables will need to go through a tight fitting grommet or bulkhead fitting. Top it off with an alloy lid with a rubber seal onto the top of the enclosure and make sure the enclosure is sealed.
Depending on what Championship your entering, I may be the Scrutineer checking the car
PM me if you want more info.
Depending on what Championship your entering, I may be the Scrutineer checking the car
PM me if you want more info.
As others have said, that’s a shonky fuel tank installation.
First some pointers....
Is the tank vented to the outside?
Is there a non-return valve in the vent line, or an anti-siphon loop?
Having shiny braided line and jubilee clips is a warning sign to the cynical - like scrutineers are/have to be - although allowable - personally i hate these clips on braided lines. What these tell us – is that someone has built the fuel system on the cheap – now the scrutineer gets nosy… see 5.13.1 & 2.
Does the filler cap have a vent hole in it? If it does, it needs changing.
Presuming it doesn’t have a vent hole, does it have the correct seal in it? An O-ring usually, does it fit properly?
Are the braided lines cushioned against the metal edges, or do they rub? – I can’t tell from the photos. This is amazingly common… Even more common is that they flap around.
It doesn’t appear to have a cover on the tank recess tray thing, this isn’t strictly speaking a problem, as long as the rear bulkhead is fully sealed, if it isn’t, it definitely needs a close fitting lid on it with plenty of attachment points and a suitable seal. This is covered by 5.2.1. Make sure this can be removed easily at scrutineering, and be prepared to remove it. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Spill tray collector is required – see 5.13.3
Get onto the MSA or MUK or look in the Blue Book online and find a scrutineer local to you.
Ask them to come round and have a look at it, and comment accordingly.
Tea and biscuits MUST be supplied in quantity - that's all I charge - but then, they are all local to me.
At the risk of teaching you to suck eggs...
Confirm what is says in the championship regs and that it doesn’t contradict anything in The Blue Book, it shouldn’t, but there is the odd exception, but VERY rarely on fuel systems. If it does, get clarification BEFORE arriving for your first race meeting...
From the mighty motorsport bible of blue
All vehicles must: Chassis/Body (including aerodynamics)
5.2.1. Be fitted with bodywork including a driver (and passenger) compartment isolated from the (edited down here…) fuel system components (other than where such components comply with 5.13.1 and 5.13.2) such as to prevent there being a hazard.
Fuel Systems
5.13.1. Have any fuel lines passing through the driver/passenger compartment protected and, if non-metallic, to be internally or externally metal braided hydraulic pressure hose or fuel lines complying with FIA specifications.
5.13.2. They may only be joined by screwed sealing joints or vehicle manufacturers approved joint.
5.13.3. If fitted with fuel fillers in a closed boot, or under closure, have collector/spill trays incorporated to drain outside the vehicle.
5.13.7. With the exception of cars competing in Sprint and Hill Climb road going production category, cars competing in British and Motorsport UK Titled Championships for, and all new build cars for, Rallycross, Car Racing, Special Stage Rallying, Sprints and Hill Climbs must be equipped with the facility to enable a fuel sample to be taken. For fuel injected cars the facility must be a dry break fuel sampling coupling, approved by the FIA, Competitors must carry and make available a 300 mm minimum length of hose to which, where necessary, the appropriate mating part is to be attached.
14.1.2. Fuel (a) Fuel Tanks and Pipes – every effort should be made to isolate fuel tanks and pipes from the driver/passenger compartment. The risk of fuel spillage from accident damage can be reduced by use of bag type tanks or by coating metal tanks with GRP. Tanks should be located so that they are given maximum protection by the structure of the vehicle. Vents should be designed to avoid spillage if the vehicle becomes inverted.
(b) Fuel Fillers – these should be designed and located to reduce risk of damage. Filler caps should not be liable to open in the case of an accident. Simple screw caps are effective. The positive locking of the fuel filler caps is recommended.
Tank Fillers, Vents and Caps
Tank fillers and caps must not protrude beyond the bodywork or be situated within the driver/passenger compartment. The caps must have an efficient locking action to reduce the risk of opening during an accident and to ensure closing after refuelling (14.1.2). Air vents must be at least 25 cm to the rear of the cockpit and must be designed to prevent the escape of fuel should the vehicle be inverted. It is recommended that a non-return valve is incorporated in the vent system. The entire fuel tank area ‘Licked by the open air stream’ must incorporate a crushable structure as follows: Crushable Structure …. Blah… blah….
19.10.
Fuel Systems - These must be equipped with an effective method of stopping fuel supply and operable by the Driver when normally seated. This to be combined with or located adjacent to the internal ignition cut-off switch.
First some pointers....
Is the tank vented to the outside?
Is there a non-return valve in the vent line, or an anti-siphon loop?
Having shiny braided line and jubilee clips is a warning sign to the cynical - like scrutineers are/have to be - although allowable - personally i hate these clips on braided lines. What these tell us – is that someone has built the fuel system on the cheap – now the scrutineer gets nosy… see 5.13.1 & 2.
Does the filler cap have a vent hole in it? If it does, it needs changing.
Presuming it doesn’t have a vent hole, does it have the correct seal in it? An O-ring usually, does it fit properly?
Are the braided lines cushioned against the metal edges, or do they rub? – I can’t tell from the photos. This is amazingly common… Even more common is that they flap around.
It doesn’t appear to have a cover on the tank recess tray thing, this isn’t strictly speaking a problem, as long as the rear bulkhead is fully sealed, if it isn’t, it definitely needs a close fitting lid on it with plenty of attachment points and a suitable seal. This is covered by 5.2.1. Make sure this can be removed easily at scrutineering, and be prepared to remove it. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Spill tray collector is required – see 5.13.3
Get onto the MSA or MUK or look in the Blue Book online and find a scrutineer local to you.
Ask them to come round and have a look at it, and comment accordingly.
Tea and biscuits MUST be supplied in quantity - that's all I charge - but then, they are all local to me.
At the risk of teaching you to suck eggs...
Confirm what is says in the championship regs and that it doesn’t contradict anything in The Blue Book, it shouldn’t, but there is the odd exception, but VERY rarely on fuel systems. If it does, get clarification BEFORE arriving for your first race meeting...
From the mighty motorsport bible of blue
All vehicles must: Chassis/Body (including aerodynamics)
5.2.1. Be fitted with bodywork including a driver (and passenger) compartment isolated from the (edited down here…) fuel system components (other than where such components comply with 5.13.1 and 5.13.2) such as to prevent there being a hazard.
Fuel Systems
5.13.1. Have any fuel lines passing through the driver/passenger compartment protected and, if non-metallic, to be internally or externally metal braided hydraulic pressure hose or fuel lines complying with FIA specifications.
5.13.2. They may only be joined by screwed sealing joints or vehicle manufacturers approved joint.
5.13.3. If fitted with fuel fillers in a closed boot, or under closure, have collector/spill trays incorporated to drain outside the vehicle.
5.13.7. With the exception of cars competing in Sprint and Hill Climb road going production category, cars competing in British and Motorsport UK Titled Championships for, and all new build cars for, Rallycross, Car Racing, Special Stage Rallying, Sprints and Hill Climbs must be equipped with the facility to enable a fuel sample to be taken. For fuel injected cars the facility must be a dry break fuel sampling coupling, approved by the FIA, Competitors must carry and make available a 300 mm minimum length of hose to which, where necessary, the appropriate mating part is to be attached.
14.1.2. Fuel (a) Fuel Tanks and Pipes – every effort should be made to isolate fuel tanks and pipes from the driver/passenger compartment. The risk of fuel spillage from accident damage can be reduced by use of bag type tanks or by coating metal tanks with GRP. Tanks should be located so that they are given maximum protection by the structure of the vehicle. Vents should be designed to avoid spillage if the vehicle becomes inverted.
(b) Fuel Fillers – these should be designed and located to reduce risk of damage. Filler caps should not be liable to open in the case of an accident. Simple screw caps are effective. The positive locking of the fuel filler caps is recommended.
Tank Fillers, Vents and Caps
Tank fillers and caps must not protrude beyond the bodywork or be situated within the driver/passenger compartment. The caps must have an efficient locking action to reduce the risk of opening during an accident and to ensure closing after refuelling (14.1.2). Air vents must be at least 25 cm to the rear of the cockpit and must be designed to prevent the escape of fuel should the vehicle be inverted. It is recommended that a non-return valve is incorporated in the vent system. The entire fuel tank area ‘Licked by the open air stream’ must incorporate a crushable structure as follows: Crushable Structure …. Blah… blah….
19.10.
Fuel Systems - These must be equipped with an effective method of stopping fuel supply and operable by the Driver when normally seated. This to be combined with or located adjacent to the internal ignition cut-off switch.
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