Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Council Directive 70/221/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to liquid-fuel tanks and rear underrun protection of motor vehicles and their trailers
Date: 1998-04-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: approximation of laws, motor fuel, motor vehicle, safety device, technical standard

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TEXT  PROPOSED  BY  THE  COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS  PROPOSED

4.(cid:218)(cid:217)The  operational  procedures  of  this  group  shall
in  accordance  with
be  adopted  by  the  Commission 
Article  30.

4.(cid:218)(cid:217)The  operational  procedures  of  this  group  shall
in  accordance  with
be  adopted  by  the  Commission 
Article  30.

5.(cid:218)(cid:217)To  take  account  of  their 
providers  of 
statistical 
Combined  Nomenclature 
statistical  data  medium.

internal  organisation,
the
the

information  may  use 
identify  goods  on 
to 

Deleted

Proposal  for  a  European  Parliament  and  Council  Directive  amending  Council  Directive
70/221/EEC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States  relating  to  liquid(cid:220)fuel
tanks  and  rear  underrun  protection  of  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers

(98/C  164/06)

(Text  with  EEA  relevance)

COM(1998)  97  final  -  98/0071(COD)

(Submitted  by  the  Commission  on  24  April  1998)

THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND  THE  COUNCIL
OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Community,  and  in  particular  Article  100a  thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission,

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the  Economic  and
Social  Committee,

Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in
Article  189b  of  the  Treaty,

(1)(cid:217)Whereas  Council  Directive  70/221/EEC(cid:216)(˛),  as  last
amended  by  Commission  Directive  97/19/EC(cid:216)(ˇ),  is
one  of  the  separate  Directives  within  the  EC  type(cid:220)
approval  procedure  which  has  been  established  by
Council  Directive  70/156/EEC  of  6  February  1970
on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member
States  relating  to  the  type(cid:220)approval  of  motor  vehicles
and  their  trailers(cid:216)(—),  as  last  amended  by  Directive
.(cid:216).(cid:216)/.(cid:216).(cid:216)./EC;  whereas,  consequently,  the  provisions
and  definitions  laid  down  in  Directive  70/156/EEC
concerning  vehicles,  vehicle  systems,  components
and  separate  technical  units  apply  to  this  Directive;
whereas  it  is  necessary  to  adapt  Article  1  of  Directive
70/221/EEC 
in  Directive
70/156/EEC;

the  definitions 

to 

(˛)(cid:217)OJ  L  76,  6.4.1970,  p.  23.
(ˇ)(cid:217)OJ  L  125,  16.5.1997,  p.  1.
(—)(cid:217)OJ  L  42,  23.2.1970,  p.  1.

is 

advisable 

in  order  to  take  account  of  technical
(2)(cid:217)Whereas 
progress 
adapt  Directive
to 
it 
70/221/EEC  to  the  technical  requirements  adopted
by  the  United  Nations  Economic  Commission  for
Europe  in  its  Regulation  No  34(cid:216)((cid:209))  relating  to  the
approval  of  vehicles  with  regard  to  the  prevention  of
fire  risk,  in  particular,  to  the  provisions  for  fuel
tanks,  made  of  a  plastic  material,  for  vehicles  of
category  M1;

that 

(3)(cid:217)Whereas  gaseous  fuels  are  of  increasing  interest  for
the  propulsion  of  motor  vehicles,  in  particular,  for
reasons;  whereas 
environmental 
therefore
it 
expedient 
future,  Directive  70/221/EEC
in 
should  also  contain  provisions  on  tanks  for  fuels
other  than  liquid  fuels;  whereas  for  this  purpose  the
title  and  the  scope  of  Directive  70/221/EEC  should
be  amended  accordingly;  whereas  technical  specifi(cid:220)
cations  for  tanks  for  gaseous  fuels  will  be  introduced
through  later  amendments  of  this  Directive;

is 

(4)(cid:217)Whereas  Article  3  of  Directive  70/221/EEC  provides
that  amendments  to  the  provisions  relating  to  fuel
tanks  have 
the  European
to  be  adopted  by 
Parliament  and  the  Council;  whereas  it  is  necessary
that  the  expedient  adaptations  to  technical  progress
of  the  provisions  of  that  Directive  relating  to  fuel
in  accordance  with 
tanks  can  be  adopted 
the
procedure 
in  Article  13  of  Directive
70/156/EEC;

laid  down 

((cid:209))(cid:217)Economic  Commission  for  Europe  document  E/ECE/324.

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(5)(cid:217)Whereas  the  amendments  to  Directive  70/221/EEC
relate  only  to  fuel  tanks  made  of  a  plastic  material;
whereas  it  is  not  necessary  therefore  to  invalidate
existing 
under  Directive
70/221/EEC  as  amended  by  Directive  97/19/EC  or
to  prevent  the  registration,  sale  and  entry  into  service
of  new  vehicles  having  metal 
tanks
covered  by  such  approvals;

liquid(cid:220)fuel 

approvals 

granted 

(6)(cid:217)Whereas,  given  the  scale  and  impact  of  the  action
proposed  in  the  sector  in  question,  the  Community
measures  provided  for  in  this  Directive  are  necessary,
the  envisaged
or  even 
objective,  namely  Community  vehicle  type(cid:220)approval;
whereas  this  objective  cannot  be  adequately  achieved
by  the  Member  States  individually;

indispensable, 

to  attain 

HAVE  ADOPTED  THIS  DIRECTIVE:

5.(cid:217)Article  3  is  replaced  by  the  following:

"Article  3

Any  amendments  necessary  to  adapt  the  requirements
of  the  Annexes  to  technical  progress  shall  be  adopted
in  accordance  with  the  procedure 
in
Article  13  of  Directive  70/156/EEC.’

laid  down 

6.(cid:217)The  list  of  Annexes  and  the  Annexes  are  amended  in

accordance  with  the  Annex  to  this  Directive.

Article  2

1.(cid:218)(cid:217)With  effect  from  [1  October  1998(cid:129),  Member  States
requirements  of
must  accept  compliance  with 
Directive  70/221/EEC,  as  amended  by  this  Directive,  for
the  purposes  of  Articles  4(1)  and  7(1)  of  Directive
70/156/EEC.

the 

Article  1

Directive  70/221/EEC  is  hereby  amended  as  follows:

2.(cid:218)(cid:217)With  effect  from  [1  October  1999(cid:129),  Member  States:

1.(cid:217)The  title  is  replaced  by  the  following:

-(cid:217)shall  no  longer  grant  EC  type(cid:220)approval  in  accordance

with  Article  4(1)  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  and

"Council  Directive  70/221/EEC  of  20  March  1970
relating  to  fuel  tanks  and  rear  underrun  protection  of
motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers.’

-(cid:217)may  refuse  national  type(cid:220)approval

2.(cid:217)Article  1  is  replaced  by  the  following:

"Article  1

For  the  purpose  of  this  Directive,  ""vehicle’’  means
any  motor  vehicle  and  its  trailers  as  defined  in  Annex
II,  Section  A,  to  Directive  70/156/EEC.’

3.(cid:217)Article  2(1)  is  replaced  by  the  following:

for  a  new  type  of  vehicle  on  grounds  related  to  its
liquid(cid:220)fuel  tanks  if  it  fails  to  comply  with  the  provisions
of  Directive  70/221/EEC,  as  amended  by  this  Directive.

3.(cid:218)(cid:217)With  effect  from  [1  October  2000(cid:129),  Member  States

-(cid:217)shall  consider  certificates  of  conformity  which
accompany  new  vehicles 
in  accordance  with  the
provisions  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  as  no  longer
valid  for  the  purposes  of  Article  7(1)  of  that  Directive
and

"1.(cid:218)(cid:217)No  Member  State  may  refuse  to  grant  EC  type(cid:220)
approval  or  national  type(cid:220)approval  for  a  vehicle,  on
if  that  vehicle
grounds  relating  to 
satisfies  the  requirements  set  out  in  this  Directive
concerning  fuel  tanks.’

its  fuel  tanks, 

-(cid:217)may  refuse  the  registration,  sale  or  entry  into  service
of  new  vehicles  which  are  not  accompanied  by  a
certificate  of  conformity  in  accordance  with  Directive
70/156/EEC, 
the  provisions  of
Article  8(2)  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  are  invoked

except  where 

4.(cid:217)Article  2(a)(1)  shall  be  replaced  by  the  following:

"1.(cid:218)(cid:217)No  Member  State  may  refuse  or  prohibit  the
into  service  or  use  of  a
sale,  registration,  entry 
vehicle,  on  grounds  relating  to  its  fuel  tanks,  if  that
vehicle  satisfies 
this
Directive  concerning  fuel  tanks.’

the  requirements  set  out 

in 

on  grounds  relating  to  the 
if  the
requirements  of  Directive  70/221/EEC,  as  amended  by
this  Directive,  are  not  fulfilled.

liquid(cid:220)fuel  tanks, 

4.(cid:218)(cid:217)This  Directive  shall  not  invalidate  any  approval
previously  granted  to  vehicles  having  metal  liquid(cid:220)fuel

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tanks  or  prevent  extensions  of  such  approvals  under  the
terms  of  the  Directive  under  which  they  were  orginally
granted.

Article  3

1.(cid:218)(cid:217)Member  States  shall  bring 
laws,
regulations  and  administrative  provisions  necessary  to
comply  with  this  Directive  before  [1  October  1998(cid:129).
They  shall  forthwith  inform  the  Commission  thereof.

into  force  the 

When  Member  States  adopt  these  measures,  they  shall
contain  a  reference  to  this  Directive  or  shall  be  accom(cid:220)
panied  by  such  reference  on  the  occasion  of  their  official
publication.  The  methods  of  making  such  reference  shall
be  laid  down  by  Member  States.

States 

2.(cid:218)(cid:217)Member 
the
shall 
Commission  the  text  of  the  main  provisions  of  national
law  which  they  adopt  in  the  field  governed  by  this
Directive.

communicate 

to 

Article  4

This  Directive  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  twentieth  day
following  that  of  its  publication  in  the  Official  Journal  of
the  European  Communities.

Article  5

This  Directive  is  addressed  to  the  Member  States.

ANNEX

1.(cid:217)In  the  list  of  Annexes,  the  text  concerning  Annex  I  is  replaced  by  the  following:

"Annex(cid:217)I: Tanks  for  liquid  fuel

Appendix(cid:217)1: Information  document

Appendix(cid:217)2: EC  type(cid:220)approval  certificate

Appendix(cid:217)3: Test  of  resistance  to  fire

Appendix(cid:217)4: Dimensions  and  technical  data  of  firebricks’

2.(cid:217)Annex  I  is  replaced  by  the  following:

"Annex  I

TANKS  FOR  LIQUID  FUEL

1.

SCOPE

1.1.

This  Annex  applies  to  vehicles  to  which  Directive  70/156/EEC  applies.

2.

DEFINITIONS

For  the  purpose  of  this  Annex:

2.1.

""Vehicle  type  with  regard  to  fuel  tanks’’  means  vehicles  which  do  not  differ  essentially  in  such
respects  as:

2.1.1.

The  structure,  shape,  dimensions  and  materials  (metal/plastic)  of  the  tank(s),

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2.1.2.

In  vehicles  of  category  M1 (˛)  the  position  of  the  tank(s)  in  the  vehicle  in  so  far  as  it  has  a
negative  effect  on  the  requirements  of  Section  5.10  of  this  Annex.

2.2.

2.3.

2.4.

""Occupant  compartment’’  means  the  space  for  occupant  accomodation  bounded  by  the  roof,
floor,  side  walls,  doors,  outside  glazing,  front  bulkhead  and  rear  bulkhead.

""Unladen  mass’’  means  the  mass  of  the  vehicle  with  bodywork,  and  with  coupling  device  in
the  case  of  a  towing  vehicle  of  a  category  other  than  M1 (cid:216)in  running  order,  or  the  mass  of  the
chassis  with  cab  if  the  manufacturer  does  not  fit  the  bodywork  and/or  coupling  device
(including  coolant,  oils,  fuel,  100(cid:216)%  other  liquids  except  used  waters,  tools,  spare  wheel  and
driver,  and,  for  buses  and  coaches,  the  mass  of  the  crew  member  (75  kg)  if  there  is  a  crew  seat
in  the  vehicle).

""Tank’’  means  the  tank(s)  designed  to  contain  the  liquid  fuel,  as  defined  in  Section  2.6,  used
primarly  for  the  propulsion  of  the  vehicle  excluding  its  accessories  (filler  pipe  (if  it  is  a
separate  element),  filler  hole,  cap,  gauge,  connections  to  the  engine  or  to  compensate  interior
excess  pressure,  etc.).

2.5.

""Capacity  of  the  tank’’  means  the  tank  capacity  as  specified  by  the  manufacturer.

2.6.

""Liquid  fuel’’  means  a  fuel  which  is  liquid  in  normal  ambient  conditions.

3.

APPLICATION  FOR  EC  TYPE(cid:220)APPROVAL

3.1.

The  application  for  type(cid:220)approval  of  a  vehicle  with  regard  to  its  fuel  tanks  pursuant  to
Article  3(4)  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  shall  be  submitted  by  the  vehicle  manufacturer.

3.2.

A  model  for  the  information  document  is  given  in  Appendix  1.

3.3.

The  following  must  be  submitted  to  the  technical  service  responsible  for  conducting  the  type(cid:220)
approval  tests:

3.3.1.

a  vehicle  representative  of  the  vehicle  type  to  be  approved  or  the  parts  of  the  vehicle  which  the
technical  service  deems  necessary  for  approval  tests;

3.3.2.

in  the  case  of  a  vehicle  equipped  with  a  tank  made  of  plastic  material:  seven  additional  tanks,
with  their  accessories;

3.3.3.

in  the  case  of  a  vehicle  equipped  with  a  tank  made  of  another  material:  two  additional  tanks,
with  their  accessories.

4.

GRANTING  OF  EC  TYPE(cid:220)APPROVAL

4.1.

If  the  relevant  requirements  are  satisfied,  EC  type(cid:220)approval  pursuant  to  Article  4(3)  and,  if
applicable,  4(4)  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  shall  be  granted.

4.2.

A  model  for  the  EC  type(cid:220)approval  certificate  is  given  in  Appendix  2.

(˛)(cid:217)As  defined  in  Annex  II,  Section  A,  of  Directive  70/156/EEC.

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4.3.

An  approval  number  in  accordance  with  Annex  VII  to  Directive  70/156/EEC  shall  be
assigned  to  each  type  of  vehicle  approved.  The  same  Member  State  shall  not  assign  the  same
number  to  another  type  of  vehicle.

5.

SPECIFICATIONS

5.1.

Tanks  must  be  made  so  as  to  be  corrosion  resistant.

5.2.

5.3.

5.4.

5.5.

5.6.

5.7.

5.8.

5.9.

They  must  satisfy,  when  equipped  with  all  accessories  which  are  normally  attached  to  them,
the  leakage  tests  carried  out  according  to  Section  6.1  at  a  relative  internal  pressure  equal  to
double  the  working  excess  pressure  but  in  any  event  not  less  than  an  excess  pressure  of  0,3
bar.

Tanks  for  vehicles  of  category  M1 (cid:216)made  of  a  plastic  material  are  considered  as  meeting  this
requirement  if  they  have  been  submitted  to  the  test  described  in  Section  6.3.2.

Any  excess  pressure  or  any  pressure  exceeding  the  working  pressure  must  be  compensated
automatically  by  suitable  devices  (vents,  safety  valves,  etc.).

The  vents  must  be  designed  in  such  a  way  as  to  prevent  any  fire  risk.  In  particular,  any  fuel
which  may  leak  when  the  tank(s)  is  (are)  being  filled  must  not  be  able  to  fall  on  the  exhaust
system.  It  shall  be  channelled  to  the  ground.

The  tank(s)  must  not  be  situated  in,  or  form,  a  surface  (floor,  wall,  bulkhead)  of  the  occupant
compartment  or  other  compartment  integral  with  it.

A  partition  must  be  provided  to  separate  the  occupant  compartment  from  the  tank(s).  The
partition  may  contain  apertures  (e.g.  to  accomodate  cables)  provided  they  are  so  arranged
that  fuel  cannot  flow  freely  from  the  tank(s)  into  the  occupant  compartment  or  other
compartment  integral  with  it.

Every  tank  must  be  securely  fixed  and  so  placed  as  to  ensure  that  any  fuel  leaking  from  the
tank  or  its  accessories  will  escape  to  the  ground  and  not  into  the  occupant  compartment.

The  filler  hole  must  not  be  situated 
compartment  or  in  the  engine  compartment.

in  the  occupant  compartment, 

in  the 

luggage

The  fuel  must  not  escape  through  the  tank  cap  or  through  the  devices  provided  to
compensate  excess  pressure;  however,  if  the  tank  is  completely  overturned  a  drip  may  be
tolerated  provided  that  it  does  not  exceed  30  g/min.  This  requirement  must  be  verified  during
the  test  prescribed  in  Section  6.2.

5.10.

Tanks  must  be  installed  in  such  a  way  as  to  be  protected  from  the  consequences  of  an  impact
to  the  front  or  the  rear  of  the  vehicle;  there  shall  be  no  protruding  parts,  sharp  edges,  etc.
near  the  tank.

5.11.

Moreover,  tanks  must  also  be  tested  according  to  the  specific  procedure  set  out 
Section  6.3.

in

6.

TESTS

6.1.

Hydraulic  test

The  tank  must  be  subjected  to  a  hydraulic  internal  pressure  test  which  must  be  carried  out  on
an  isolated  unit  complete  with  all  its  accessories.  The  tank  must  be  completely  filled  with  a
non(cid:220)flammable  liquid  (water,  for  example).  After  all  communication  with  the  outside  has  been
cut  off,  the  pressure  must  be  gradually  increased,  through  the  pipe  connection  through  which

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fuel  is  fed  to  the  engine,  to  a  relative  internal  pressure  equal  to  double  the  working  pressure
used  and  in  any  case  to  not  less  than  an  excess  pressure  of  0,3  bar,  which  must  be  maintained
for  one  minute.  During  this  time  the  tank  shell  must  not  crack  or  leak;  however,  it  may  be
permanently  distorted.

6.2.

Overturn  test

6.2.1.

The  tank  and  all  its  accessories  must  be  mounted  onto  a  test  fixture  in  a  manner  corre(cid:220)
sponding  to  the  mode  of  installation  on  the  vehicle  for  which  the  tank  is  intended;  this  also
applies  to  systems  for  the  compensation  of  the  interior  excess  pressure.

6.2.2.

The  test  fixture  shall  rotate  about  an  axis  lying  parallel  to  the  longitudinal  vehicle  axis.

6.2.3.

The  test  will  be  carried  out  with  the  tank  filled  to  90(cid:216)%  of  its  capacity  and  also  30(cid:216)%  of  its
capacity  with  a  non(cid:220)flammable  liquid  having  a  density  and  a  viscosity  close  to  those  of  the
fuel  normally  used  (water  may  be  accepted).

6.2.4.

The  tank  must  be  turned  from  its  installed  position  90›  to  the  right.  The  tank  must  remain  in
this  position  for  at  least  five  minutes.

The  tank  must  than  be  turned  90›  further  in  the  same  direction.  The  tank  must  be  held  in  this
position,  in  which  it  is  completely  inverted,  for  at  least  a  further  five  minutes.

The  tank  must  be  rotated  back  to  its  normal  position.  Testing  liquid  which  has  not  flowed
back  from  the  venting  system  into  the  tank  must  be  drained  and  replenished  if  necessary.

The  tank  must  be  rotated  90›  in  the  opposite  direction  and  left  for  at  least  five  minutes  in  this
position.

The  tank  must  be  rotated  90›  further  in  the  same  direction.  This  completely  inverted  position
must  be  maintained  for  at  least  five  minutes.  Afterwards,  the  tank  must  be  rotated  back  to  its
normal  position.

6.3.

Additional  tests  for  tank(s)  for  vehicles  of  category  M1 (cid:216)made  of  a  plastic  material

6.3.1.

Impact  resistance

6.3.1.1. The  tank  must  be  filled  to  its  capacity  with  a  water(cid:220)glycol  mixture  or  with  another  liquid
having  a  low  freezing  point  which  does  not  change  the  properties  of  the  tank  material,  and
must  then  be  subjected  to  a  perforation  test.

6.3.1.2. During  this  test  the  tank  temperature  must  be  233  K(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)K  ((cid:134)(cid:216)40(cid:216)›C(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)›C).

6.3.1.3. A  pendulum  impact  testing  fixture  must  be  used  for  the  test.  The  impact  body  must  be  of  steel
and  have  the  shape  of  a  pyramid  with  equilateral(cid:220)triangle  faces  and  a  square  base,  the  summit
and  the  edges  being  rounded  to  a  radius  of  3  mm.  The  centre  of  percussion  of  the  pendulum
must  coincide  with  the  centre  of  gravity  of  the  pyramid;  its  distance  from  the  axis  of  rotation
of  the  pendulum  must  be  1  m.  The  total  mass  of  the  pendulum  must  be  15  kg.  The  energy  of
the  pendulum  at  the  moment  of  impact  must  be  not  less  than  30  Nm  and  as  close  to  that
value  as  possible.

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6.3.1.4. The  tests  must  be  made  on  the  points  of  the  tank  which  are  regarded  as  vulnerable  to  frontal
or  rear  collisions.  The  points  regarded  as  vulnerable  are  those  which  are  most  exposed  or
weakest  having  regard  to  the  shape  of  the  tank  or  the  way  in  which  it  is  installed  on  the
vehicle.  The  points  selected  by  the  laboratories  must  be  indicated  in  the  test  report.

6.3.1.5. During  the  test,  the  tank  must  be  held  in  position  by  the  fittings  on  the  side  or  sides  opposite

the  side  of  impact.  No  leak  must  result  from  the  test.

6.3.1.6. At  the  choice  of  the  manufacturer,  all  the  impact  tests  may  be  carried  out  on  one  tank  or  each

may  be  carried  out  on  a  different  tank.

6.3.2. Mechanical  strength

The  tank  must,  under  the  conditions  prescribed  in  Section  6.1,  be  tested  for  leaks  and  for
rigidity  of  shape.  The  tank  and  all  its  accessories  must  be  mounted  onto  a  test  fixture  in  a
manner  corresponding  to  the  mode  of  installation  on  the  vehicle  for  which  the  tank  is
intended.  Water  at  326(cid:216)K  (53(cid:216)›C)  must  be  used  as  the  testing  fluid  and  must  fill  the  tank  to  its
capacity.  The  tank  must  be  subjected  to  a  relative  internal  pressure  equal  to  double  the
working  pressure  and  in  any  case  to  not  less  than  0,3  bar  at  a  temperature  of  326(cid:216)K(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)K
(53(cid:216)›C(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)›C)  for  a  period  of  five  hours.  During  the  test  the  tank  and  its  accessories  must
not  leak  or  crack;  however,  it  may  be  permanently  deformed.

6.3.3.

Fu el  perme ability

6.3.3.1. The  fuel  used  for  the  permeability  test  must  be  either  the  reference  fuel  specified  in  Annex
VIII  of  Directive  70/221/EEC  or  a  commercial  premium(cid:220)grade  fuel.  If  the  tank  is  only
designed  for  installation  on  vehicles  with  a  compression  ignition  engine,  the  tank  shall  be
filled  with  diesel  fuel.

6.3.3.2.

Prior  to  the  test,  the  tank  must  be  filled  to  50  per  cent  of  its  capacity  with  testing  fuel  and
stored,  without  being  sealed,  at  an  ambient  temperature  of  313(cid:216)K(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)K  (40(cid:216)›C(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)›C)  until
the  weight  loss  per  unit  time  becomes  constant.

6.3.3.3. The  tank  must  then  be  emptied  and  refilled  to  50  per  cent  of  its  capacity  with  test  fuel,  after
which  it  must  be  hermetically  sealed  and  be  stored  at  a  temperature  of  313(cid:216)K(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)K
(40(cid:216)›C(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)›C).  The  pressure  must  be  adjusted  when  the  contents  of  the  tank  have  reached
the  testing  temperature.  During  the  ensuing  test  period  of  eight  weeks,  the  loss  of  weight  due
to  diffusion  during  the  test  period  shall  be  determined.  The  maximum  permissible  average  loss
of  fuel  is  20  g  per  24  hours  of  testing  time.

6.3.3.4.

If  the  loss  due  to  diffusion  exceeds  the  value  indicated  in  Section  6.3.3.3,  the  test  described
there  must  be  carried  out  again,  on  the  same  tank,  to  determine  the  loss  by  diffusion  at
296(cid:216)(cid:216)K(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)K  (23(cid:216)›C(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)›C),  but  under  the  same  conditions  otherwise.  The 
loss  so
measured  shall  not  exceed  10  g  per  24  hours.

6.3.4.

Re sistance   to  fu el

After  the  test  referred  to  in  Section  6.3.3  above,  the  tank  must  still  meet  the  requirements  set
out  in  Sections  6.3.1  and  6.3.2.

6.3.5.

Re sistance   to  fire

The  tank  must  be  subjected  to  the  following  tests:

6.3.5.1.

For  two  minutes  the  tank,  fixed  as  on  the  vehicle,  must  be  exposed  to  flame.  There  must  be
no  leakage  of  liquid  fuel  from  the  tank.

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6.3.5.2. Three  tests  must  be  made  on  different  tanks  filled  with  fuel  as  follows:

6.3.5.2.1.(cid:217)if  the  tank  is  designed  for  installation  on  vehicles  equipped  with  either  a  positive  ignition
engine  or  a  compression  ignition  engine,  three  tests  must  be  carried  out  with  tanks  filled  with
premium(cid:220)grade  gasoline;

6.3.5.2.2.(cid:217)if  the  tank  is  only  designed  for  installation  on  vehicles  equipped  with  a  compression  ignition

engine,  three  tests  must  be  carried  out  with  tanks  filled  with  diesel  fuel.

6.3.5.2.3.(cid:217)For  each  test  the  tank  must  be  installed  in  a  testing  fixture  simulating  actual  installation
conditions  as  far  as  possible.  The  method  whereby  the  tank  is  fixed  in  the  fixture  must
correspond  to  the  relevant  specifications  for  the  vehicle.  Vehicle  parts  which  protect  the  tank
and  its  accessories  against  exposure  to  flame  or  which  affect  the  course  of  the  fire  in  any  way,
as  well  as  specified  components  installed  on  the  tank  and  plugs,  must  be  taken  into
consideration.  All  openings  must  be  closed  during  the  test,  but  venting  systems  must  remain
operative.  Immediately  prior  to  the  test  the  tank  must  be  filled  with  the  specified  fuel  to  50
per  cent  of  its  capacity.

6.3.5.3. The  flame  to  which  the  tank  is  exposed  must  be  obtained  by  burning  commercial  fuel  for
positive  ignition  engines  (hereinafter  called  ""fuel’’)  in  a  pan.  The  quantity  of  fuel  poured  into
the  pan  shall  be  sufficient  to  permit  the  flame,  under  free  burning  conditions,  to  burn  for  the
whole  test  procedure.

6.3.5.4. The  pan  dimensions  must  be  chosen  so  as  to  ensure  that  the  sides  of  the  fuel  tank  are  exposed
to  the  flame.  The  pan  must  therefore  exceed  the  horizontal  projection  of  the  tank  by  at  least
20  cm,  but  not  more  than  50  cm.  The  side  walls  of  the  pan  must  not  project  more  than  8  cm
above  the  level  of  the  fuel  at  the  start  of  the  test.

6.3.5.5. The  pan  filled  with  fuel  must  be  placed  under  the  tank  in  such  a  way  that  the  distance
between  the  level  of  the  fuel  in  the  pan  and  the  tank  bottom  corresponds  to  the  design  height
of  the  tank  above  the  road  surface  at  the  unladen  mass  (see  Section  2.3).  Either  the  pan,  or
the  testing  fixture,  or  both,  must  be  freely  movable.

6.3.5.6. During  phase  C  of  the  test,  the  pan  must  be  covered  by  a  screen  placed  3(cid:216)cm(cid:216)n 1(cid:216)cm  above
the  fuel  level.  The  screen  must  be  made  of  a  refractory  material,  as  prescribed  in  Appendix  4.
There  must  be  no  gap  between  the  bricks  and  they  must  be  supported  over  the  fuel  pan  in
such  a  manner  that  the  holes  in  the  bricks  are  not  obstructed.  The  length  and  width  of  the
frame  must  be  2(cid:216)cm(cid:220)4(cid:216)cm  smaller  than  the  interior  dimensions  of  the  pan  so  that  a  gap  of  1
cm(cid:220)2  cm  exists  between  the  frame  and  the  wall  of  the  pan  to  allow  ventilation.

6.3.5.7. When  the  test  is  carried  out  in  the  open  air,  sufficient  wind  protection  must  be  provided  and
the  wind  velocity  at  fuel  pan  level  must  not  exceed  2,5(cid:216)km/h.  Before  the  test  the  screen  must
be  heated  to  308(cid:216)K(cid:216)n 5(cid:216)K  (35(cid:216)›C(cid:216)n 5(cid:216)›C).  The  fire  bricks  may  be  wetted  in  order  to
guarantee  the  same  test  conditions  for  each  successive  test.

6.3.5.8. The  test  must  comprise  four  phases  (see  Apendix  3).

6.3.5.8.1.(cid:217)Phase  A:  Pre(cid:220)heating  (figure  1)

The  fuel  in  the  pan  must  be  ignited  at  a  distance  of  a  least  3  m  from  the  tank  being  tested.
After  60  seconds  pre(cid:220)heating,  the  pan  must  be  placed  under  the  tank.

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6.3.5.8.2.(cid:217)Phase  B:  Direct  exposure  to  flame  (figure  2)

For  60  seconds  the  tank  must  be  exposed  to  the  flame  from  the  freely  burning  fuel.

6.3.5.8.3.(cid:217)Phase  C:  Indirect  exposure  to  flame  (figure  3)

As  soon  as  phase  B  has  been  completed,  the  screen  must  be  placed  between  the  burning  pan
and  the  tank.  The  tank  must  be  exposed  to  this  reduced  flame  for  a  further  60  seconds.

6.3.5.8.4.(cid:217)Phase  D:  End  of  test  (figure  4)

The  burning  pan  covered  with  the  screen  must  be  moved  back  to  its  original  position  (phase
A).  If,  at  the  end  of  the  test,  the  tank  is  burning,  the  fire  must  be  extinguished  forthwith.

6.3.5.9. The  results  of  the  test  shall  be  considered  satisfactory  if  no  liquid  fuel  is  leaking  from  the

tank.

6.3.6.

Re sistance   to  high  temper a t ur e

6.3.6.1. The  fixture  used  for  the  test  must  match  the  manner  of  installation  of  the  tank  on  the  vehicle,

including  the  way  in  which  the  tank  vent  works.

6.3.6.2. The  tank  filled  to  50  per  cent  of  its  capacity  with  water  at  293(cid:216)K  (20(cid:216)›C)  must  be  subjected

for  one  hour  to  an  ambient  temperature  of  368(cid:216)K(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)K  (95(cid:216)›C(cid:216)n 2(cid:216)›C).

6.3.6.3. The  results  of  the  test  shall  be  considered  satisfactory  if,  after  the  test,  the  tank  is  not  leaking

or  seriously  deformed.

6.3.7. Markings  on  the  fuel  ta nk

6.3.7.1. The  trade  name  or  mark  must  be  affixed  to  the  tank;  it  must  be  indelible  and  clearly  legible

on  the  tank  when  the  latter  is  installed  on  the  vehicle.

7.

7.1.

8.

8.1.

AMENDMENTS  TO  APPROVAL

In  the  case  of  amendments  to  approvals  granted  pursuant  to  this  Directive,  the  provisions  of
Article  5  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  shall  apply.

CONFORMITY  OF  PRODUCTION

Measures  to  ensure  the  conformity  of  production  shall  be  taken  in  accordance  with  the
provisions  laid  down  in  Article  10  of  Directive  70/156/EEC.’

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3. The  following  Appendices  3  and  4  are  added.

"Appendix  3

TEST  OF  RESISTANCE  TO  FIRE

Fuel tank

Testing fixture

Fuel pan with burning fuel

Screen

Phase A: Pre-heating

3 m

Figure  1

Screen

Phase B: Direct exposure to flame

Figure  2

Screen

Sheet-metal pan

Screen

Sheet-metal pan

Phase C: Indirect exposure to the flame

Figure  3

Phase D: End of test

Figure  4

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Appendix  4

DIMENSIONS  AND  TECHNICAL  DATA  OF  FIREBRICKS

30 diameter
15 holes

15 radius
6 cutouts

A

a b c

27,5 ± 3

27,5 ± 3

37 ± 3

37 ± 3

37 ± 3

37 ± 3

37 ± 3

70 ± 5

a = 120 ± 5
b =  80 ± 3
c =  40 ± 3

A

240 ± 5

(Dimensions are in mm)

Section A-A

Fire  resistance  (Seger(cid:220)Kegel)

SK  30

Al2O3content

Openporosity  (Po)

Density

30(cid:220)33(cid:216)per  cent

20(cid:220)22  per  cent  vol.

1(cid:216)900(cid:220)2(cid:216)000  kg/m3

Effective  holed  area

44,18  per  cent’