Overview
ISO 10088:2022 - Small craft - Permanently installed fuel systems - sets international requirements for the design, materials, construction, installation and testing of permanently installed fuel systems for internal combustion engines on small craft. It applies to all parts of petrol and diesel systems as installed, from the fuel fill opening to the point of connection with propulsion or auxiliary engines on inboard- and outboard-powered vessels. Fuel tanks themselves are covered by ISO 21487:2022.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and components: Covers fuel lines, hoses, fittings, valves, filters, vents, filling systems and accessories as installed on small craft (up to 24 m hull length).
- Materials and durability: Components must resist deterioration from designated fuels and related liquids and be designed to withstand pressure, vibration, shocks, corrosion and movement.
- Temperature range: Operability required within −40 °C to +80 °C.
- Electrical grounding: Metal parts in contact with petrol must be grounded with resistance to the craft’s ground of less than 1 Ω.
- Fire resistance: Installed components (excluding permanently installed tanks) must withstand a 2.5 minute fire test per Annex C; individual components may be tested to ISO 7840:2021.
- Pressure testing: The complete installed fuel system must pass a pressure test specified in Annex A.
- Refuelling/spillage control: Filling systems shall avoid spillage; a fill-test requires no spillage when filling at 30 L/min from 25% to 75% of tank capacity.
- Evaporative emissions: Informative Annex B introduces permeation limits and test procedures for petrol evaporative emissions (diurnal and permeation), and references carbon canister and SHED testing methods.
- Ventilation and ignition protection: Petrol engine and tank compartments require ventilation and ignition protection per ISO 11105:2020 and ISO 8846:1990.
- Labeling and access: Requirements for labelling, accessibility (accessible vs readily accessible) and means to determine fuel level are specified.
Practical applications and users
ISO 10088:2022 is used by:
- Boat and small craft designers and manufacturers to specify compliant fuel systems.
- Marine engineers and installers for correct selection and installation of hoses, fittings, valves and vents.
- Surveyors, regulators and classification societies to verify safety, emissions and installation testing.
- Component suppliers (pumps, filters, hoses) to ensure product compatibility for in‑service installation.
- Shipyards and maintenance teams for pressure testing, fire resistance checks and refuelling safety procedures.
Adoption of ISO 10088 helps reduce fire risk, fuel spillage, evaporative emissions and galvanic corrosion-improving safety, environmental compliance and regulatory acceptance for small craft fuel systems.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 10088:2022, small craft fuel systems, permanently installed fuel systems, fuel hoses, pressure testing, evaporative emissions, fuel system installation.
