R714-162-15. Fuel System

  (1) If the fuel system uses diesel or gasoline, the inspector shall:

  (a) check the fuel tank, fuel tank support straps, filler tube, tube clamps, fuel tank vent hoses or tubes, filler housing drain, overflow tube, and fuel filler; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) there is fuel leakage at any point or there are escaping gases detected in the system;

  (B) the fuel tank filler cap is missing;

  (C) any part of the system is not securely fastened or supported;

  (D) there is physical damage to any fuel system component; or

  (E) the crossover line is not protected and drops more than two inches below fuel tanks.

  (2) If the fuel system uses liquid propane gas, the inspector shall:

  (a) check the fuel tank, fuel tank support straps, filler tube, tube clamps, fuel tank vent hoses or tubes, filler housing drain, overflow tube, fuel filler cap, and conversion kit installations;

  (b) check for leaks by using the soap test with antifreeze;

  (c) check that the fuel container is installed in a way to prevent it from jarring loose, slipping, or rotating;

  (d) check that containers are located to minimize the possibility of damage to the container and its fittings;

  (e) check that containers located less than 18 inches from the exhaust system, the transmission, or a heat-producing component of the internal combustion engine are shielded by a vehicle frame member or by a noncombustible baffle with an air space on both sides of the frame member or baffle;

  (f) check that the piping system is installed, supported, and secured in such a manner as to minimize damage due to expansion, contraction, vibration, strains, and wear. Protection to the piping system may be achieved by parts of the vehicle furnishing the necessary protection, a fitting guard furnished by the manufacturer of the container, or by other means to provide equivalent protection;

  (g) check that container valves, appurtenances, and connections are protected to prevent damage from accidental contact with stationary objects or from stones, mud, ice, and from damage from the vehicle's overturn or similar accident;

  (h) for a tank installed inside a passenger compartment, check that it is installed in an enclosure that is securely mounted to the vehicle, such as a trunk which is gas-tight with respect to the passenger compartment and is vented to the outside of the vehicle; and

  (i) check that manual shutoff valves provide positive closure under service conditions, are equipped with an internal excess-flow check valve designed to close automatically at the rated flows of vapor, stop all flow to and from the container when put in the closed position, and are readily accessible without the use of tools or other equipment. A check valve will not meet this requirement; and

  (j) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (i) there is fuel leakage at any point or there are escaping gases detected in the system;

  (ii) the fuel tank filler cap is missing, which is the cap over the fueling receptacle, not the door to the receptacle;

  (iii) any part of the system is not securely fastened, supported, or the tank valve is not shielded;

  (iv) there is physical damage, such as excessive denting, corrosion, bulging, or gouging to any fuel system component;

  (v) the fuel lines have any corrosion;

  (vi) welding is present, with the exception of being on saddle plates, lugs, pads or brackets that are attached to the container by the container manufacturer;

  (vii) excessive surface rust on the tank or tank paint coating is in poor condition;

  (viii) there is any installation hazard present that may cause a potential hazard during a collision;

  (ix) a container is mounted directly on roofs or ahead of the front axle or beyond the rear bumper of a vehicle;

  (x) a container or its appurtenance protrudes beyond the sides or top of the vehicle;

  (xi) the vehicle does not have a weather-resistant, diamond shaped label located on the right rear of the vehicle identifying the vehicle as a "PROPANE" fueled vehicle;

  (xii) a data plate, or saddle plate, is not present or is not legible on a propane tank;

  (xiii) any aftermarket data plates are welded on the tank; or

  (xiv) a check valve is used for a manual shutoff valve.

  (3) American Society of Mechanical Engineers, or ASME containers are installed permanently to vehicles and are not subject to the DOT inspection requirements.

  (4) All liquefied propane gas containers fabricated to earlier editions of regulations, rules, or codes listed in NFPA 5.2.1.1 and of the Interstate Commerce Commission Rules for Construction of Unified Pressure Vessels, prior to April 1, 1967, shall be permitted to continue to be used in accordance with Section 1.4 of NFPA.

  (5) Containers that have been involved in a fire and show no distortion shall be re-qualified by a manufacturer of that type of cylinder or by a repair facility approved by DOT, before being used or reinstalled.

  (6) When inspecting a fuel system that uses either CNG or liquefied natural gas, the inspector shall:

  (a) check the fuel tank, fuel tank support straps, filler tube, tube clamps, fuel tank vent hoses or tubes, filler housing drain, overflow tube, fuel filler cap, and conversion kit installations;

  (b) check the tank to verify it is protected from physical damage using the vehicle structure, valve protectors or a suitable plastic or metal shield;

  (c) check that fuel tank shields do not have direct contact with fuel tanks and prevent trapping of materials that could damage the tanks or its coatings;

  (d) for fuel tanks installed above, below, or within the passenger compartment, check to verify connections are external or sealed and vented from the compartment.

  (e) for fuel tanks installed within the passenger compartment, check to verify tanks are vented to the outside of the vehicle with a boot or heavy plastic bag and shall not exit into a wheel well;

  (f) check tanks and fuel lines to verify mounting and bracing is away from the exhaust system and supported to minimize vibration and to protect against damage, corrosion, or breakage.

  (g) check for identification with a weather-resistant, diamond-shaped label located on an exterior vertical surface or near-vertical surface on the lower right rear of the vehicle, excluding the bumper, inboard from any other markings;

  (i) the label shall be a minimum of 4.72 inches long by 3.27 inches high;

  (h) check that when a manual valve is used, the valve location is accessible, indicated with the words "MANUAL SHUTOFF VALVE";

  (i) check that the vehicle bears in the engine compartment a label readily visible identification as a CNG-fueled vehicle, system service pressure, installer's name or company, container retest dates or expiration date, and the total container water volume in gallons;

  (j) check for a label located at the fueling connection receptacle with identification as a CNG-fueled vehicle, system working pressure, and container retest dates or expiration date;

  (k) check that CNG fuel containers are permanently labeled;

  (i) disassembly of the tanks protective shield is not required to verify the label on the tank;

  (ii) it is the vehicle owner's responsibility to provide documentation for a current CNG tank Inspection from a CNG certified inspector; and

  (iii) the documentation must identify the vehicle and list the CNG tank certification number; and

  (l) visually inspect CNG fuel containers for damage and deterioration; and

  (m) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (i) there is fuel leakage at any point or escaping gases are detected in the system, odor will be present;

  (ii) the fuel tank filler cap or cover is missing;

  (iii) any part of the system is not securely fastened, supported, or shielded to prevent damage from road hazards, slippage, loosening, or rotations;

  (iv) fuel tank is exposed or unprotected;

  (v) tanks that are installed under a vehicle are mounted ahead of the front axle or behind the point of attachment of the rear bumper;

  (vi) there is any physical damage to a fuel system component;

  (vii) there is any installation hazard present that may cause a potential hazard during a collision;

  (viii) any part of the fuel tank or its appurtenances protrudes beyond the sides or top of any vehicle where the tanks can be struck or punctured;

  (ix) the vehicle is not labeled as described in Subsection C of this section or in accordance with National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 52; or

  (x) a CNG fuel container is not current with its certification in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.