25/8/2025
Whether you are developing fuel storage tanks for hydrogen-powered vehicles, gaseous fuel systems, or liquid fuel applications, fire and explosion safety is a critical design parameter.
Efectis provides comprehensive testing and engineering support to help you validate the performance of your tanks under extreme thermal and mechanical conditions — in full compliance with the most demanding international standards.
Comprehensive Testing Capabilities for Fire and Explosion Scenarios
Efectis conducts full-scale fire resistance and explosion tests on fuel tanks, including:
- Localized flame exposure to simulate exposure near critical components;
- Engulfing hydrocarbon pool fires to assess overall system response;
- Structural integrity monitoring during fire exposure, followed by leak tightness, leak before burst or catastrophic rupture assessment;
- Explosion testing for worst-case scenarios, including pressure burst failure.
For hydrogen fuel tanks in particular, Efectis can assess the activation of Thermally-Activated Pressure Relief Devices (TPRDs) under extended fire exposure as required by UNECE R134 and ISO 19881. These tests are critical to ensuring a safe venting of the high pressure hydrogen to prevent catastrophic rupture and subsequent impairment of first responders.
Standards and Regulations Addressed
- Efectis helps manufacturers demonstrate conformity with major international standards, including:
- UNECE R34: Fire risk prevention for conventional fuel vehicles
- UNECE R134: Fire safety performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles
- ISO 19881: Gaseous hydrogen — Land vehicle fuel containers
- ISO 21487: Fire resistance of permanently installed tanks in small craft
- ISO 21843: Fire resistance of protection systems for pressure vessels under hydrocarbon pool fire exposure
Coupling Physical Testing with Advanced Numerical Simulation
Efectis complements physical testing with state-of-the-art computational modelling to explore additional scenarios, reduce physical trial iterations, and understand complex failure modes:
- Gas dispersion modelling : prediction of flammable gas cloud built-up and identification of high-risk ATEX areas;
- Jet flames modelling;
- Explosion modelling simulation of deflagration, detonation or pressure burst and blast wave effects on nearby structures and components;
- Non-Linear transient dynamic structural response analysis : simulation of tank deformation, cracking or rupture under thermal and mechanical stresses in real time and response of structures and equipment to explosion.
This integrated approach allows for a better understanding of tank behaviour under fire and explosion scenarios — including those beyond current regulatory test setups — and provides actionable insights for design improvements and risk mitigation.
A Trusted Partner in Fire and Explosion Safety
With decades of experience, purpose-built laboratories, and a team of experts in fire, explosion, and structural mechanics, Efectis offers a holistic service from early-stage design evaluation to final certification support.
By combining full-scale tests, regulatory expertise and advanced modelling, Efectis ensures your fuel storage tanks meet the highest standards of safety and compliance – while accelerating your time to market.
Trust Efectis to secure your tanks against fire and explosion risks – and to help you innovate safely.
For more information, please contact Eric Guillaume