Airport Ramp Fuel Spills: Prevention & Safety Measures

Airport Ramp Fuel Spills represent a significant risk on an airport ramp due to their potential to cause fire or explosions. It is crucial to prioritize the prevention of fuel spills in all aircraft fuel, considering the associated fire, safety, and environmental risks.

Fuel transfer procedures and system design play an essential role in ensuring safety during aircraft fueling operations.  This article will provide important tips and guidelines to enhance the expertise of aircraft fuel operators and emphasize the importance of training and consulting services in the aviation fuel industry.

The Importance of Preventing Fuel Spills in Aircraft Fueling Operations

Remember the following key practice tips:

• The engine exhaust system must be designed, located, and installed to minimize the risk of fire.
• Components should be secured and placed away from flammable materials and separated from combustible materials used in the vehicle’s construction.
• Use suitable shielding to redirect fuel spillage away from exhaust system components.
• Non-turbo-charged diesel engines should be equipped with flame- and spark-arresting exhaust systems to reduce fire risk from spark emissions.
• Spark arrestors reduce the fire risk by capturing and cooling glowing particles emitted from diesel engine exhaust before they are safely discharged into the atmosphere.
• Visual inspections of spark arrestors should be conducted daily, and they should be replaced if any damage is found.
• Spark arrestors should be dismounted and cleaned annually to remove any carbon deposits.

Emergency Response Procedures for Airport Ramp Fuel Spills

Adhering to correct procedures and best practices is essential to minimize fire hazards and ensure efficient fuel transfer. Insufficient system design and training often lead to failures in managing spills.

The following actions are appropriate in the event of a fuel spill, although each spill must be treated as a unique case due to various factors such as the spill size, flammable or combustible liquid involved, wind and weather conditions, equipment setup, aircraft occupancy, availability of emergency equipment, and personnel.

• The flow of fuel should be stopped.
• If fuel leaks from equipment or hoses, immediately operate the emergency fuel shutoff.
• Fueling should be stopped immediately if the fuel is discovered leaking or spilling from the aircraft at the filler opening, vent line, or tank seams during fueling operations. Evacuation of the aircraft should be ordered when necessary.
• The aircraft should be thoroughly checked for damage or the entrance of flammable liquid or vapors into any concealed wing or fuselage area. Necessary corrective action should be taken before it is returned to normal operational service.
• If the spill poses a fire hazard, inform the airport fire crew. The only routine exceptions are small spills. Notify supervisory personnel to ensure operations’ safe continuation or suspension and take corrective measures to prevent similar accidents.
• Walking through the fuel spill should not be permitted.
• Individuals exposed to fuel spray or have had their attire drenched with fuel are advised to seek shelter, disrobe, and cleanse themselves thoroughly.
• If an individual’s clothing catches fire, it is advised to promptly envelop them in blankets, coats, or other suitable items or instruct them to roll on the ground to extinguish the flames.
• Each spill must be evaluated based on its specific size and characteristics; no fixed rule can be made as fire safety varies with circumstances. Mobile fueling equipment and all other mobile machinery should be relocated from the area or left as is until the spilled fuel is remediated or rendered safe. Remember, when shutting down equipment or relocating vehicles, it is important to recognize that these actions may serve as potential ignition sources in the event that a spillage does not immediately result in a fire.
• Do not start any aircraft, automotive, or spark-producing equipment in the area until the spilled fuel is removed or made safe. If a vehicle or cart engine is running at the time of the spill, it’s best to drive the vehicle away from the hazard area unless the hazard to personnel is too severe.
• Do not move fuel servicing vehicles or carts until you have checked that any fuel hose connected to the vehicle and the aircraft is safely stowed.
• If an aircraft engine is running during a spill, it’s usually best to move the aircraft away from the area unless doing so would worsen the vapor hazard due to air currents from the engines.
• When circumstances require the operation of internal combustion engine equipment within a spill area that has not ignited to be shut down, it is recommended to reduce engine speeds to idle before cutting ignition to prevent backfire.
• The volatility of fuel can significantly impact the hazard severity of a spill. Gasoline and other low flash point fuels can produce ignitable vapors at normal temperatures and pressures, while kerosene fuels (JET A or JET A-1) typically do not, except at temperatures of 38°C (100°F) or higher.
• Kerosene exhibits low evaporation rates at standard temperatures and necessitates proper cleanup procedures. Minor spills can be effectively managed by employing an approved absorbent material, specifically of the mineral oil variety.
• Spills of aviation fuels (JET A or JET A-1) larger than 3 m (10 ft) and covering an area over 5 m² (50 ft²) should be blanketed with foam if there’s a risk of ignition. Otherwise, an absorbent compound or emulsion-type cleaner can be used for cleanup.
• Aircraft on which fuel has been spilled should be inspected thoroughly to ensure no fuel or fuel vapors have accumulated in non-fuel tank areas. Wetted cargo should be decontaminated before being loaded onto any aircraft.

A standard mobile refueler spill kit comprises

• several absorbent containment socks designed to direct flow or confine a spill,
• multiple absorbent pads for addressing smaller leaks and spills,
• loose absorbent substance for scattering onto a spill,
• a pillow for absorbing larger spills,
• and a set of protective gloves for personnel.

Adhering to equipment design and operational standards removing faulty or leaking equipment from use, are straightforward preventive actions that should be consistently practiced to mitigate hazardous and expensive errors. It is vital to have the correct spill response equipment available at every refueling point and to provide continuous training for your personnel.