Investigation of Motor Vehicle Performance Standards for Fuel Tank Protection. Volume I

摘要

Explosion and/or fire could occur during or immediately following an accident involving motor vehicles. The source of a fire can be as varied as a hot cigarette, a shorted electrical wire, friction induced sparks, or a hot exhaust system. Spillage of the motor vehicles fuel on any such ignition source usually results in a serious fire with the possibility of burn injury or fatality. In order for the Department of Transportation to present reasonable safety performance standards for motor vehicle fuel systems, a background of information regarding existing standards, accident data, improved fuel system designs, and performance tests had to be accumulated. This study for the Department of Transportation, was made to accumulate such information, evaluate it, and present a plan for establishing safety performance standards for fuel tanks and fuel systems. (Author)