(a) Gasoline fuel tanks must be independent of the hull.
(b) Diesel fuel tanks may not be built integral with the hull of a vessel unless the hull is made of:
(1) Steel;
(2) Aluminum; or
(3) Fiber reinforced plastic when:
(i) Sandwich construction is not used; or
(ii) Sandwich construction is used with only a core material of closed cell polyvinyl chloride or equivalent.
(c) During the initial inspection for certification of a vessel, integral fuel tanks must withstand a hydrostatic pressure test of 35 kPa (5 psig), or the maximum pressure head to which they may be subjected in service, whichever is greater. A standpipe of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) in height attached to the tank may be filled with water to accomplish the 35 kPa (5 psig) test.
[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 986, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51358, Sept. 30, 1997]
authority: 46 U.S.C. 3306; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1
source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 986, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 182.435