§ 95.5. Ventilation.
(a) Motorboats, except open boats, which have been constructed since April 25, 1940, and which use fuel having a flash point of 110° F or less, shall have at least two ventilator ducts, fitted with cowls or their equivalent, for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment. There shall be at least one exhaust duct installed extending from the lower portion of the bilge to the open atmosphere and at least one intake duct installed extending to a point at least midway to the bilge or at least below the level of the carburetor air intake. The cowls shall be located and trimmed for maximum effectiveness to prevent displaced fumes from recirculating.
(b) As used in this section, ‘‘open boats’’ means motorboats with engine and fuel tank compartments, and other spaces to which explosive or flammable gases and vapors from those compartments may flow, open to the atmosphere and arranged to prevent the entrapment of the gases and vapors within the boat. A compartment is to be considered open only if fumes cannot be entrapped. The following conditions shall be met to consider a boat open:
(1) The engine and fuel tank compartments shall have as a minimum 15 square inches of open area directly exposed to the atmosphere for each cubic foot of net compartment volume.
(2) Compartments shall have at least 1 square inch of open area per cubic foot, within 1 inch of the compartment bilge level or floor, so that vapors will drain into open areas.
(3) There may be no long or narrow unventilated spaces accessible from the compartments in which a flame front could propagate.
(4) Long, narrow compartments, such as side panels, if joining engine or fuel compartments and not serving as ducts thereto, shall have at least 15 square inches of open area per cubic foot provided by frequent openings along the full length of the compartment formed.
(c) Boats built after July 31, 1978, are excepted from subsection (a) for fuel tank compartments that contain the following:
(1) A permanently installed fuel tank if each electrical component is ignition protected in accordance with applicable United States Coast Guard manufacturer’s standards in effect at the time of construction.
(2) Fuel tanks that vent to the outside of the boat.
(d) Boats built after July 31, 1980, or which are in compliance with United States Coast Guard manufacturer’s standards in effect at the time of construction are excepted from these requirements.
Source The provisions of this § 95.5 amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (147849).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 105.1 (relating to conditions requiring immediate corrective action).
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