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.

Using a safety fuel cell in a racing vehicle is no less important than using a helmet or wearing a seat belt. The Fuel Cell is an essential part of making you fast and keeping you safe during competition. A Fuel Safe fuel cell provides its user with a much higher level of performance by keeping the fuel from moving around in the tank and by making sure that every last possible drop of fuel is used. In the event of a shunt or accident, the fuel cell is designed to retain all the fuel even if it’s deformed, rolled over, or directly impacted. At Fuel Safe Systems we hand build in the US the most competitive, safest, and most durable safety fuel cells available on the market today. By using a highly developed proprietary construction process, along with the most technologically advanced materials and workmanship, Fuel Safe continues to set the standard in the racing industry for speed and safety. Fromdrag racing,Sprint CarstoTrophy Truck fuel cells,boatstoairplanesand everything in between, if it races, we can… or more likely do… build its fuel cell. That’s the reason Fuel Safe continues to be #1 in racing.

Aside from racing, there are any number of other applications for Fuel Safe Systems' technologies and proprietary processes. We currently manufacture products for aerospace, military, fire and a diverse array of commercial and industrial companies. Our AS9100 certification is a first in the industry and gives you the confidence of knowing your Fuel Safe fuel cell is built to the most rigorous standards.

We are always working on the cutting edge of materials design to further our capabilities and your safety. Our brand new, state of the art 100,000 sq. ft. facility encompasses a vast array of capabilities including fabrication, welding, machining, assembly, roto-molding, prototyping, lamination, modeling, engineering, design and production. We stand at the ready to take on any challenge or project while always endeavoring to exceed your expectations. At Fuel Safe Systems no customer or job is too big or too small.

Here at Fuel Safe Systems, we work tirelessly to provide the highest level of quality, performance and durability. Everything we manufacture is built to withstand the extreme demands our customers place on our products.

Safety fuel cells are out of sight so they tend to be forgotten. Fuel cells have a finite life span. The environment can greatly affect the cell's longevity. The typical lifespan of a fuel cell is between 8 and 10 years, although all sanctioning bodies limit use to 5 years from the date of manufacture. By following a few simple guidelines and inspecting your fuel cell on a regular basis, you can ensure that the performance and safety of your vehicle will remain intact.

• Avoid fuel additives
• Do not store fuel in the cell for long periods
• Do not expose the cell to harsh chemicals
• Do not use solvents on the cell
• Store your bladder in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight
• Inspect the interior and exterior of your cell once a year
• Torque fill plate bolts to 75-80 inch-pounds for synthetic cork gaskets, and 55 inch-pounds for viton gaskets

You owe it to yourself, your crew, your family and your sponsors to stay fast and safe on the track.

Yes - we do!

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It is important for your Fuel Safe Sales Engineer to know what type of fuel you are running to ensure you're choosing the correct bladder type. Fuel Safes bladder materials are compatible with different fuels.

For example:
Our Pro Cell bladders are compatible with fuel blends that have up to an 85% ethanol content, whereas our Sportsman bladders can only withstand fuel blends that have up to a 15% ethanol content. Knowing the type of fuel that you plan to run, and more specifically the ethanol content of the fuel, will ensure that you are selecting the correct product line of fuel bladder. 

First, perform a visual inspection to see if fuel is weeping out the bottom of the can (through the weep holes). Next, inspect and check that all plates/hardware bolts are tight and properly torqued at 75-80 inch-pounds. If all checks out, you will then need to remove the can lid, or remove the fuel cell bladder, from the fuel cell container and pressure test the fuel bladder- as you would a tire. Use 0.5 psi of air to pressurize the fuel bladder (cap off all fittings but the fitting used to apply air to pressurize) and slowly pour soapy water over the bladder to check for bubbles (leak points). In some cases, you will remove the can lid and visually see that the bladder has aged and is cracked and/or deteriorating and will not need to perform a pressure test.

Aircraft Rubber Manufacturing, Inc. dba Fuel Safe Systems is not required to, and does not, collect Washington sales or use tax. Under Washington law, purchases are not tax-exempt merely because a seller is not required to collect Washington tax. Washington law requires Washington purchasers to review untaxed purchases and, if any tax is owed, file a Washington use tax return and pay any tax due. Visit the Washington State Department of Revenue website for more information.

You can submit a proposal, then we will contact you if your project fits Fuel Safe's brand. Please include photos of your project, any social media channels (include insights on audience and reach metrics), race/event schedule of your product, and a letter about you and your project. Please include contact information. Sponsorship requests are taken on a rolling basis.

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