Contents: General information ⇩ Removal fuel from the tank ⇩ Removal the fuel tank ⇩ Fuel tank repair ⇩ Body repair ⇩
Fuel vapors are highly flammable, and in a closed space they are also toxic and explosive. Fuel vapors are heavier than air, so they always collect at the lowest point. Fuel vapors are easily spread throughout the service center by circulating air currents. Therefore, even minor fuel leaks are very dangerous.
The following information contains basic safety precautions when working with fuel, which must be strictly observed. In addition, this subsection contains some safety rules related to the fuel system. All information below should be considered as general recommendations. Any specific questions you may have should be resolved with your fire inspector.
General information
A fire extinguisher (foam, carbon dioxide, gas or powder) must be available in the room where fuel is removed from the fuel tank or fuel system components are removed. Fire extinguishers must also be available in rooms where fuel is stored.
Before removing fuel from the tank or removing fuel system components, the battery must be disconnected.
Before carrying out work related to the removal of fuel system components, removal of fuel from the fuel tank, placement of containers with drained fuel for storage in the appropriate room, it is necessary to eliminate all sources of ignition. Portable lamps used must be sealed; avoid spilling fuel on portable lamps.
CAUTION: Personnel authorized to work on fuel systems must be specially trained.
CAUTION: Do not remove any fuel system components while the vehicle is on the inspection pit.
Removal fuel from the tank
Removal of fuel from the tank must be carried out in accordance with the instructions given in the FUEL SYSTEM section of this Manual. The following precautions must be observed.
CAUTION: Never drain the fuel from the fuel tank of a vehicle that is on an inspection pit. Draining or removing fuel from the fuel tank should only be done in well-ventilated areas.
The capacity of the container for draining fuel must exceed the volume of fuel that must be pumped out of the tank. The container with drained fuel must have a designation that excludes ambiguous interpretation. The container with fuel must be stored in a room that meets fire safety regulations.
CAUTION: When draining fuel from the fuel tank, take every precaution to keep all unprotected lights and spark sources away from the area.
Removal the fuel tank
If the fuel line is secured to the fuel tank fitting with a metal spring clip (quick release), release the clip before disconnecting the other end of the line or removing the fuel tank. This will eliminate the possibility of a fuel vapor explosion when the clip is disconnected.
As a safety precaution, a "CAUTION! FUEL VAPORS" tag should be attached to the fuel tank immediately after it is removed from the vehicle.
Fuel tank repair
Plastic fuel tanks cannot be repaired. If such a fuel tank is damaged, it should be replaced with a new one.
Body repair
Plastic fuel lines are especially sensitive to heat. Even heating to relatively low temperatures is dangerous. Pipelines can melt even from remote exposure to heat.
If work involving heat generation is performed during body repair, all fuel lines running near the work front must be removed. Open fuel tank fittings must be plugged.
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