T&T: ABYC: fuel filter fire rating

[Ron Rogers]

>From an "Ocean Navigator" article by the ever present Steve D'Antonio:

"The right stuff for a primary onboard fuel filter (the first filter the 
fuel encounters after it leaves the tank) include: a clear sight bowl (with 
heat shield if installed in the engine room), an agglomeration device (this 
causes small water droplets to coalesce and drop to the bottom of the sight 
bowl), an easily replaceable filter element, provisions for a vacuum gauge 
and water sensor and an ABYC-approved drain valve. If you intend to voyage 
in colder climes, a heater option, as previously mentioned, may also be on 
the list. If it sounds as if I've described a Racor (http://www.parker.com) 
MA-series filter, that's no accident. These filters are cheap insurance at 
their retail price of about $220 for the 500 MA model, which is adequate for 
even the largest sail auxiliaries. They require no tools for filter 
replacement and optional water and vacuum sensors are easily installed, and 
the brass drain valve need only be equipped with a pipe plug in order to 
meet ABYC standards.
Resist the temptation to buy the slightly less expensive automotive 
FG-series filter. This version lacks the brass drain valve and heat shield 
and is equipped with an amber-tinted, UV-resistant sight bowl. Since most 
marine engine compartments are not subject to sunlight, this is hardly 
necessary and only serves to increase the difficulty of fuel-bowl 
inspection."

Ron Rogers