Annex B
(normative)
Fire resistance testing
B.1 .2 - .3 General
B.1.1 Non-metallic petrol tanks shall be tested independently or as installed.
B.1.2 Fuel system components that are small enough, such as fuel valves, shall be tested as described in ISO 7840:1994, Annex A with the lower part mounted 250 mm above the liquid surface. The size of the pan shall be extended beyond the component by 150 mm.Annex A
B.1.3 The component to be tested shall be a complete assembly and include all details intended to be attached directly to the component.
B.2A.1 As installed fire test
B.2.1 A representative sample of the tank to be tested shall be installed in an actual or simulated hull section of sufficient size to simulate fire conditions aboard the craft.
B.2.2 A tank intended for use in a series of craft of similar size and design may be tested in one hull section only provided that the chosen hull section gives the most severe fire exposure to the component of the hull sections in the series.
B.2.3 The test method described in B.3 shall be used.
B.3A.2 Test method - As installed fire test
B.3.1 The area in which the test is to be conducted shall be free from draughts but shall have provision for a free inflow of air during the test.
B.3.2 Perform a pressure test according to Annex A. The tank to be tested shall show no leakage. Release the test pressure.
B.3.3 Tanks which, according to 4.12, do not need to be capable of withstanding the fire test may be left out from the test setup. If this is done, open connections in the fuel system may be equipped with hoses or pipes with open ends outside the fire area
B.3.4 Fill the tank to be tested to 25% of its capacity with petrol.
B.3.5 Pour commercial heptane into all crevices and liquid traps beneath the tank and into all crevices within a 75mm horizontal distance out from a vertical projection of the outmost parts of the tank.
B.3.6 The heptane in the simulated hull section shall be ignited and permitted to burn for a continuous period of 2,5 min.
B.3.7 At the end of the 2,5 min test period, any continued burning shall be extinguished.
B.3.8 Examine the sample tank for leakage. Drain the tank. Pressure-test the tank with a slowly increased air or inert gas pressure up to 2 kPa.
The tank shall show no evidence of leakage when checked with methods other than the pressure drop method (see A.4).
