Can a fuel pump be installed in, or near, the gasoline fuel tank to help eliminate vapor-lock?
A. Both ABYC H-24, Gasoline Fuel Systems, and the Code of Federal Regulations do, within certain parameters, permit the use of a remote fuel pump. The parameters are: the pump must be located within 12 inches of the engine that it supplies, and the hose from the pump output to the engine cannot exceed 48 inches. The objective of these requirements is to limit the amount of pressurized fuel hose in the boat. Any pressurized fuel hose that develops a leak can cause a significant fire and explosion hazard by spraying fuel into the compartment. The USCG has provided a grant of exemption to some boat manufacturers to permit the installation of the fuel pump in the tank. These exemptions are granted on a case by case basis and are based on a demonstrated ability of the system design to provide at least an equivalent level of safety. These designs may include a hose-within-a-hose design where the outer hose captures any fuel that may leak from the inner pressurized delivery hose, and a sensor
