Rollover & Post Collision Fuel Fed Fires

As a result of a SUV Truck or Van rollover or collision, the opportunity exists for a post collision fuel-fed fire. If a gas tank or fuel fed fire occurs, then catastrophic injuries for occupants of these vehicles are likely. Fuel fed fires can occur in rollovers, frontal impact collisions, side impact collisions, and rear end collisions. Fuel Tanks and Fuel Systems fail due to well-known and well-documented reasons. Some of these common fire related points of origin or cause include:

• Fires from seam weld failure in the fuel tank,
• Fires from fuel tanks under trunk floor,
• Tearing or separation of the fuel lines,
• Lack of a gas tank shield or barrier to prevent gas tank rupture,
• Fuel line separation from the gas tank during the roll over,
• Filler cap neck separation,
• Electric fuel pump fires - lack of fuel (gas) cut off device,
• Lack of anti-siphoning device to prevent continued gas flow after a rollover collision,
• Separation of the fuel lines from the fuel pump, carburetor or fuel tank following a collision or rollover,
• Puncture of the fuel tank due to poorly designed structural members of the vehicle from a protruding bolt, frame or other objects,
• Fires from side-saddle (older GM pickup trucks) or added fuel tanks, unprotected by the vehicle's frame.

Fuel / Gas Tank Pump Fires - Pumping Gas After Wreck or Rollover

Fuel lines that are allowing fuel to escape from the fuel system can result in fuel fed fires during a collision. Improper construction, as well as the location of the fuel lines can make a fuel line leak more likely. Vehicles that contain electric fuel pumps may continue to pump gas through the fuel system after an accident because a defect allows fuel to be present allowing fires to occur. Anti-siphoning devices prevent fuel from siphoning from a fuel tank, thus preventing fuel from igniting and causing a fuel fed fire. Some manufacturers have yet to take safety precautions by adding the device to vehicles.

Fuel Tank Design to Prevent Fuel Tank / Gas Tank Fires & Explosions

The majority of automotive fuel tanks are constructed low carbon hot rolled sheet steel and protected from corrosion. Most tanks are stamped in two pieces (halves), fitted with the fuel line fittings, and holes, with a steel baffle welded inside the tank. Then the two halves are seem welded together to complete the tank. The tanks are then pressure tested for leaks. The safest location for fuel tanks is the area, which is least likely to be impacted or intruded during a crash. Through years of studying crashes, two locations have been formed to be the "safest." These are "over the rear axle and forward the rear axle" and conversely, the two most dangerous locations have been the placement "rear mounted under the floor pan" and side mounted outside vehicle's protective frame because of the frequency of rear end collisions. Rear mounted fuel tanks under the floor pans are particularly dangerous due to close proximity of the crash zone from rear end collisions. Therefore, many manufacturers have been forced to move the tanks further away from the rear bumper or provided protective shields to prevent their rupture.

Prevention of Fuel Fed Fires in Rollovers

Relocation, location and/or shielding of rupture or puncture are the single and most practical solutions to fuel fed fires. Another practical solution is the shielding or guarding from intrusions into the tank zone. Beginning in 1977 in some vehicles a high density, plastic shield was placed under or against the tank to prevent puncture by the differential or drive draft during a collision or rollover. Other designs included bladders located in the fuel tanks, high density polyethylene plastic tanks and breakaway fittings on the filler pipe.