GENERAL INFORMATION
03-18
Fuel handling precautions
Fuel vapour is highly inflammable and in confined
spaces is also explosive and toxic. The vapour is
heavier than air and will always fall to the lowest
level. The vapour can easily be distributed
throughout a workshop by air currents;
consequently, even a small spillage of fuel is
potentially very dangerous.
The following information provides basic precautions
which must be observed if petrol (gasoline) is to be
handled safely. It also outlines other areas of risk
which must not be ignored. This information is issued
for basic guidance only, if in doubt consult your local
Fire Officer.
General
Always have a fire extinguisher containing FOAM,
CO
2, GAS or POWDER close at hand when handling
or draining fuel or when dismantling fuel systems.
Fire extinguishers should also be located in areas
where fuel containers are stored.
Always disconnect the vehicle battery before
carrying out dismantling or draining work on a fuel
system.
Whenever fuel is being handled, drained or stored, or
when fuel systems are being dismantled, all forms of
ignition must be extinguished or removed; any
leadlamps must be flameproof and kept clear of
spillage.
WARNING: No one should be permitted to repair
components associated with fuel without first
having specialist training.
WARNING: Do not remove fuel system
components while the vehicle is over a pit.Fuel tank draining
Fuel tank draining should be carried out in
accordance with the procedure outlined in the FUEL
DELIVERY section of this manual and observing the
following precautions:
WARNING: Fuel must not be extracted or drained
from any vehicle while it is over a pit. Extraction
or draining of fuel must be carried out in a well
ventilated area.
The capacity of containers must be more than
adequate for the amount of fuel to be extracted or
drained. The container should be clearly marked
with its contents and placed in a safe storage
area which meets the requirements of local
authority regulations.
WARNING: When fuel has been drained from a
fuel tank the precautions governing naked lights
and ignition sources should be maintained.
Fuel tank removal
When the fuel line is secured to the fuel tank outlet by
a spring steel clip, the clip must be released before
the fuel line is disconnected or the fuel tank is
removed. This procedure will avoid the possibility of
residual petrol fumes in the fuel tank being ignited
when the clip is released.
As an added precaution, fuel tanks should have a
'FUEL VAPOUR' warning label attached to them as
soon as they are removed from the vehicle.
Fuel tank repairs
No attempt should be made to repair a plastic fuel
tank. If the structure of the tank is damaged, a new
tank must be fitted.
Body repairs
Plastic fuel pipes are particularly susceptible to heat,
even at relatively low temperature, and can be
melted by heat conducted from some distance away.
When body repairs involve the use of heat, all fuel
pipes which run in the vicinity of the repair area must
be removed, and the tank outlet plugged.
