Fuel
Systems
Introduction
There are many requirements for the fuel system
of gasoline powered inboard boats. They may be found in Title
33 CFR Part 183 Subpart J.
Some of these requirements may be specifically
applied but many are dependent on other requirements. Some
of the requirements should be complied with only if certain
conditions of installation are selected or if certain types
of fuel system products or components are used. This many
faceted approach may lead to confusion.
Regulations are typically written in concise
terms, the words and arrangements chosen to be enforceable
and in some cases to be legally interpreted. A regulatory
format does not allow for explanations, recommendations and
easily detected alternate solutions. A regulation provides
an outline about which a great deal of further information,
interpretation, explanation, clarification and some helpful
hints are needed in order to provide a good understanding
and compliance with its intent.
This fuel system guideline assists the designer,
boat builder, surveyor and repairer to achieve compliance
with the regulation. The guideline explains, interprets, clarifies,
provides alternatives, diagrams, tabulates, makes recommendations,
and in general, compliments the regulation to improve the
user’s understanding.
CAUTION
This guideline only
addresses provisions of the Federal Regulations. It
is not a complete engineering manual for the design
of electrical systems on boats. There are other manuals
and standards available for this purpose. |
FORMAT
The format of this guideline has been chosen
to follow the sequence of presentation in the fuel system
regulation. Other arrangements could have been chosen; however,
this format provides the user with a sequence of information,
which reduces confusion.
A portion of the regulation is stated, preceded
by the title FEDERAL LAW, followed by the effective date of
that portion of the regulation. Then a discussion follows
which explains, interprets, clarifies, and identifies interdependence
of requirements and is designed to improve the understanding
of the intent of the regulatory requirement. Diagrams are
freely used and tables included wherever they can be helpful.
The discussion, diagrams and tables are followed
by a box identified by the title TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW, which
asks questions to which the answer must be YES if compliance
is achieved. This is a checklist for each regulatory requirement.
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