Nearby Regions:

15.4 Fuel Cell / Tank
As of January 1, 2009 no new logbooks will be issued for vehicles with a fuel cell, unless the fuel cell is FIA FT3 (or higher) certified.
[This means no more newly built cars with rotary molded cells. However existing rotary molded cells with an FIA FT 3 bladder will be grandfathered.]

As of January 1, 2012 all fuel cells must be FIA FT3 (or higher) certified, regardless of the date of purchase or date of the logbook issuance.
[This is the “sunset” for all rotary molded cells. No more grandfathering.]

A fuel cell is not required, except as specified by class rules. It is recommended for all NASA classes, unless specifically listed otherwise. All vehicles having a fuel cell MUST comply with the rules in this section, even if a fuel cell is not required.

• There must be a solid metal bulkhead completely separating the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel cell, filler neck hoses, and/or vent lines, from the driver compartment.
• Good quality fuel cells The cell must contain a bladder constructed of Nylon or Dacron woven fabric impregnated and coated with a fuel resistant elastomer and be that is FIA FT-3 (or higher) rated.
• The cell should be in a container made of at least 0.036-inch steel, 0.059-inch aluminum, or 0.125-inch Marlex, fully surrounding the bladder.
• Foam internal baffling is required, as per FIA FT3-1999 (or higher).
• The filler cap, line, vents hoses, etc. should be designed so that no fuel will escape if the car is partially or totally inverted.
• There should be a small drain hole in the outside box to purge fuel trapped between the bladder and the box.
• Filler necks should not be mounted through a window panel (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Chief Scrutineer).
• The competitor is responsible for ensuring that the cell, bladder, and components are installed, maintained, and replaced per the manufacturer’s instructions and in accordance with applicable sections of the CCR.
• The bladder has a date of manufacture and serial number. The competitor is responsible to note this in the front of the logbook.
• Bladders older than 5 years should not be used, no exceptions.
• As a January 1, 2009 the competitor will be responsible for showing proof of the age of the bladder. It is highly recommended that the receipt for the purchase of the bladder (or entire cell) be stored with the Vehicle Logbook.

[note- we will do the best we can to determine the manufactured date of the current bladder. Sometimes getting to that date on the bladder is impractical. So, a receipt or an estimate of when you bought it will be noted in the logbook. Since you will be required to show proof of replacement (a receipt) from then on, there shouldn’t be any more hassles and it’s not likely you will have to take your cell apart just for inspection.]

Other notes- We do not subscribe to the hypothesis that “any fuel cell is better than no fuel cell.” The stock tank has been crash tested in its location and at least that’s a known factor. When someone installs a fuel cell, it’s possible to create a more dangerous situation because of the location of mounting and the other things around it. Furthermore, bladders do deteriorate. On more than one occasion old bladders have sprung leaks resulting in fires. One car was a total loss. We do not believe that the stock tank deteriorates at anywhere near the rate that a bladder deteriorates. This is not to encourage people to use the stock tank, but rather to answer some questions that have recently come up.

Thank you,
Jerry Kunzman , NASA DIRECTOR