(a) Gasoline fuel tanks must be independent of the hull.

(b) Diesel fuel tanks may not be built integral with the hull of a vessel unless the hull is made of:

(1) Steel;

(2) Aluminum; or

(3) Fiber reinforced plastic when:

(i) Sandwich construction is not used; or

(ii) Sandwich construction is used with only a core material of closed cell polyvinyl chloride or equivalent.

(c) During the initial inspection for certification of a vessel, integral fuel tanks must withstand a hydrostatic pressure test of 35 kPa (5 psig), or the maximum pressure head to which they may be subjected in service, whichever is greater. A standpipe of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) in height attached to the tank may be filled with water to accomplish the 35 kPa (5 psig) test.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 986, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51358, Sept. 30, 1997]