Safety Fuel Cells were developed in the 1960s for race cars that, until their advent, had no protection in a crash from a fuel fed fire. Since Fuel Cells were first used the driver’s odds of survival, in a crash, have been greatly increased. A Safety Fuel Cell consists of four main component parts that in total give the vital protection necessary in today’s competitive high speed racing.

• The Cell starts with a bladder (bag tank) which is the core of the system. The bladder is the flexible, extremely strong, fuel container that prevents fuel spillage in the event of an accident. Made from high tensile strength elastomeric components and engineered to withstand the fuel’s chemical attack, the bladder is the first line of defense in a crash.
• Foam Baffling inside the bladder has several functions. While displacing a very small amount of fuel, the Foam prevents sloshing of the fuel. By preventing sloshing the Foam keeps the fuel de-aerated which improves fuel delivery and also insures constant delivery of fuel to the internal fuel pickup. A secondary benefit the foam affords is its ability to prevent flash back explosions. And finally the foam holds the bladder in shape, important with a flexible bladder.
• The Fill Plate provides the opening to fill the Cell. It usually contains the fittings for the vent, outlet and return. This important component provides no-spill rollover protection while being engineered to integrate with the bladder for the maximum strength and security.
• The final component is the container (can). This part protects the bladder and provides a way to mount the Fuel Cell in the car. Containers have been made from aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, fiberglass or even a cavity in the body structure. Containers are designed to fit the bladder closely and provide maximum capacity.

While these are the main components of a Fuel Cell, there are many additional parts that may be added to tailor a system to your particular need. Examples of these add-ons are collectors, sumps, reserve tanks, surge tanks, baffles, pumps, dry-breaks, quick fill valves, level senders, filters etc.

To determine if your fuel cell is certified you will need to view the fuel cell bladder (this may require you to remove the can lid, or pull the bladder for the cavity the fuel cell resides in). On your fuel cell bladder, if certified, you will find a hologram sticker with:

• not valid after date of five years from the original manufacture date,
• or seven years total if the fuel cell has previously been re-certified for an additional two years.

For example: if a cell was purchased June 2018, it would have: Not Valid After Date; of June 2023.

If the fuel cell has been re-certified previously the Not Valid After Date would be extended out two years to 2025. At that seven year mark the fuel cell is no longer certified or re-certifiable.

Not all racing series require FIA certification, so it all depends on which class you are racing in.

To find out if FIA cells are required check the rules associated with your racing class, or contact the head of the series for details.

• Fuel cells must be returned to Fuel Safe for evaluation and recertification. If damaged, repair costs may apply. If the bladder is beyond repair, a replacement must be purchased and will include a new 5-year certification, renewable for 2 additional years. 
• Recertification is only available within 60 days of the expiration date and extends exactly 2 years from that date (e.g., a cell expiring January 2025 can be recertified through January 2027).
• Foam is not included in recertification. If replacement foam is needed, there will be additional costs.
• An RMA (Return Material Authorization) number is required before sending any fuel cell back. Please contact a Fuel Safe sales representative to obtain one.

Complete the form:
To initiate the process, please fill out the Contact Form below and select 'Re-Certify your Fuel Cell'

>>Re-Certify your Cell