Temporary dispensations - Tanks & Glass

[GreatOldOne]

Just recieved this from Terry:

This is for those of you still working on finishing your Sportsters but I had to just do a wide sweep or it would have taken me ages to sort out. If you want to put up on madaboutkitcars site no probs.
ATB
Terry


>
> Approvals
> Testing and Support Services (TaSS)
> VOSA,
> Ellipse,
> Padley Road,
> Swansea,
> SA1 8AN.
> Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen ,
>
> I trust this e-mail finds you all well and enjoying the end of the
> recession (according to published data !)
>
> I thought that this would be a good time to remind everyone of the
> impending removal of two temporary dispensations that were issued
> during the introduction of IVA. From the 29th April 2010, both the
> dispensation for fuel tanks (fuel tank filling point) and safety glass
> (the requirement for relevant approval markings) will end. Therefore,
> vehicles presented from this date will have to comply fully with the
> IVA requirements. While I am sure that the vast majority of you will
> have exhausted old stocks of glass or made design changes (where
> necessary), it may well be worth checking that your customers are also
> aware of the changes. VOSA are still testing vehicles that have used
> this dispensation recently and I am keen that your customers are made
> aware of the changes, before they are reintroduced.
>
> I do hope that you have found this information to be of use. However,
> if you feel that I can be of further assistance, please do not
> hesitate to contact me.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Mark
>
> Mark Vickers Eng Tech MSOE MIRTE
> Technical Officer
> Vehicle & Trailer Approvals
> Vehicle & Operator Services Agency
> Department for Transport.
>
> ++44 1792 454256 - Tel
> ++44 1792 463581 - Fax
>

Now I'm worried - does this mean my sportster fuel tank is not compliant post 29th April?

I'd better get a test booked.

[GreatOldOne]

I assume it means this point here:

Page 52 Of the IVA manual:

14.
Fuel tank filling points must not be located in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment or within an engine compartment.

But that was never the case on a sportster anyway - the filling point is mounted on the body...

[GreatOldOne]

Panic over.

I have just spoken to Mark Vickers on the phone, and he's confirmed that that reg is there to stop things like the old Beetle style fuel tank where the filler is in the boot along with the tank.

Normal production car like fuel systems where the tank is under the boot and pipework runs from the body work down is OK.

Phew!

[peterux]

I also remember reading something in one of the mags about a requirement to have a steel (or maybe metal?) bulkhead between the fuel tank and the passenger compartment.

Have you seen anything in the IVA manual about that?

...peter

[GreatOldOne]

Not that I recall...

[Chris Cussen]

See Note 11. But with the tank under the boot floor escaped fuel will only flow down and not into the passanger compartment

From IVA Manual revision 1 dated 27/03/2009

Fuel Tanks for Gaseous Fuels
1.
The vehicle as presented must be accompanied by satisfactory documentary evidence with the required standard for fuel tanks for gaseous fuels (see note 1)

Plastic Fuel Tanks
2.
The vehicle must be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the tank is designed for road use or the fuel tank is an original fitment to a mass produced vehicle, or has been previously and is un-modified.
Fuel Tanks for Liquid fuels at Ambient Temperature

3.
A Fuel tank and associated equipment must not leak.


4.
All fuel related components must be securely mounted.

5.
All metal fuel tanks must have an earth path to prevent the build up of static electricity. (this may be a separate bonding or the mounting arrangement where it does not isolate the tank)

6.
A Fuel Tank must be constructed to withstand the environment, forces and vibration it is likely to be subjected to during normal use.

7.
A Fuel Tank must not be fouled by moving parts of the vehicle, or mounted so that it is likely to be subject to abrasion by adjacent parts.
8. Fuel Tanks must not be positioned near a heat source (similar in installation to that of a type approved vehicle), so that a leak could cause a fire hazard.

9.
Fuel Tanks must be positioned so as not to be vulnerable to damage from protruding parts or sharp edges in the event of a front or rear impact.

10.
The fuel tank must be positioned so that in the event of a leak the fuel could not accumulate or find a path to the passenger compartment. (if fitted in a compartment there must be a drain which does not exit onto a heat source)

11.
A Fuel Tank must not be located in, or form part of the passenger compartment, or other compartment integral with it and the bulkhead that separate the passengers from the fuel tank must be free from holes through which any escaped fuel could travel.

12.
The fuel tank must be fitted with a vent (to permit release of a pressure build up) which does not exit on to the exhaust or into the vehicle or be situated at such a height that fuel would be likely to leak when the vehicle is driven.

13.
Any fuel filler neck or vent must not allow spilt fuel to be able to fall onto the exhaust system.

14.
Fuel tank filling points must not be located in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment or within an engine compartment.

15.
A fuel filler cap must positively locate to the filler neck and incorporate an adequate sealing arrangement so that a fuel leak is not possible.

16.
The fuel filler cap must either be tethered to the vehicle or be of a lockable type where the key can only be removed when the cap is locked or an automatically opening and closing, non-removable fuel filler cap
(Post 0 5 / 2009 vehicles only)

[mikeross]

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Panic over.
Normal production car like fuel systems where the tank is under the boot and pipework runs from the body work down is OK.
Phew!

Really? Good to know that.. I thought that the tank was going to be an issue or a non compliant thing. Need to get some auto parts los angeles for that matter.