TerryA
Member
Among the many items my happily seagoing boat was failed on by the BSS inspector was having a fuel filter with a plastic drain plug. Is that a bit extreme?
Fuel filter drain plug failed BSS inspection
- Thread starter TerryA
- Start date
Sandy
Well-known member
That do the regulations say about drain plugs?
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
I used to be involved in charter yachts, coding. Fuel items which could melt in a fire and contribute further to the fire, such as plastic filter bowls and drain taps were not allowed. I don't know where BSS derives their rules or guidance from.
jon711
Well-known member
I suppose that would rule out plastic..
LittleSister
Well-known member
Could you relocate the filter outside the engine compartment?
Yes, it is a bit extreme, but it's a scheme put together to reduce problems and dangers on inland waters, where some might argue the boat owners are on average less safety conscious/diligent than those who go to sea, and the scheme was developed with a lot of input from organisations and businesses who have everything to gain from more onerous standards and fewer problems, and nothing to gain through making boating cheaper and more accessible, nor inland waterways more accessible to seagoing boats.
There are occasions where (by accepting additional delay and cost) one can argue that you can achieve the qualitative requirement by means other than that specified in the inspectors' check-list, but rarely worth it.
I think it is simply an unfortunate fact of life.
Yes, it is a bit extreme, but it's a scheme put together to reduce problems and dangers on inland waters, where some might argue the boat owners are on average less safety conscious/diligent than those who go to sea, and the scheme was developed with a lot of input from organisations and businesses who have everything to gain from more onerous standards and fewer problems, and nothing to gain through making boating cheaper and more accessible, nor inland waterways more accessible to seagoing boats.
There are occasions where (by accepting additional delay and cost) one can argue that you can achieve the qualitative requirement by means other than that specified in the inspectors' check-list, but rarely worth it.
I think it is simply an unfortunate fact of life.
TerryA
Member
I can't relocate the filter so I guess I can't argue with the requirements of the self appointed guardians if I want to play in their playground. But I wonder if I could sue the builder for fitting an item that is not up to a standard that did not exist in 1992 but is now being applied...
mikegunn
Well-known member
I would suggest sourcing and fitting a brass drain plug. Then everyone will be happy.
Mike
Mike
lustyd
Well-known member
So what's the solution? The standard Volvo CAV filter has a plastic plug, is there a replacement plug? Would the glass bowl even survive that temperature/pressure?
rotrax
Well-known member
The melting point of glass is far, far above 650 degrees C.
lustyd
Well-known member
The shatter point of glass though...
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
mjcoon
Well-known member
Hopefully it's Pyrex...
NormanS
Well-known member
Am I not correct in thinking that the BSS don't allow glass filter bowls?
rotrax
Well-known member
That depends how hard you throw it.........................
rotrax
Well-known member
Our Island Packet came from Gloucester Docks. It was registered with the Canal and River trust. It had a current BSS ticket when we bought it.
The OE Racor fuel filter had the optional metal shield fitted over the clear plastic inspection bowl. Brass drain plug. So, plastic was OK if shielded.
At the time that metal shield complied-2016.
SaltyC
Well-known member
My understanding too. Now need a steel bowl so you can easily see the sediment and clarity of the diesel.
Plum
Well-known member
No. The requirements are shown in post #4 and, as in post #15, plastic is OK if the whole filter complies with ISO10088, as does the compliant version of the Racor filter with a clear plastic bowl, a metal heat shield and metal drain plug/cock.
NormanS
Well-known member
The advantage of the clear plastic bowl is that any contamination in the fuel, settled in the base of the filter, can be easily seen, and action taken. A metal shield over the plastic makes a nonsense of this.
This demonstrates a major difference between the safety priorities of sea going, versus canal and river craft. An engine stopping at sea as a result of fuel problems is potentially serious. The same thing happening in inland waterways is merely an inconvenience. The danger is that insurance companies et al may insist on compliance with regulations which are inappropriate.
This demonstrates a major difference between the safety priorities of sea going, versus canal and river craft. An engine stopping at sea as a result of fuel problems is potentially serious. The same thing happening in inland waterways is merely an inconvenience. The danger is that insurance companies et al may insist on compliance with regulations which are inappropriate.
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
Fuel filters with clear view sediment bowls, compliant with fire safety standards can be bought. The regulations already exist and as far as I can tell, so far, insurance companies are not requesting anything special in this area. I dont think this is the issue you believe it is. They are more expensive though.
This is fitted to my boat: -
Vetus Water Separator Fuel Filter CE/ABYC Max 140Hp (Vetus 330VTEB)
Plum
Well-known member
In addition to the vetus one above, the heat shield on the Racor filter does not stop you seeing through the transparent bowl
Last edited:
