An Analysis of Airport Proper Handling and Storage of Aviation Fuel - Article Example

Airport Safety Table of Contents Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………3 General Proper Handling and Storage Practices………………………………………….…...3 Documentation………………………………………………………………………………3 Settling Period……………………………………………………………………………….4 Maintenance of Fuel Systems……………………………………………………………………….4 Personnel…………………………………………………………………………………….4 Control of Flammable Vapor………………………………………………………………6 Heating Equipments…………………………………………………………………………6 Contamination and Control Practices……………………………………………………………..7 Water and solids……………………………………………………………………………..7 Microbial Growth and fuel spillage………………………………………………………8 Fuel Spillage…………………………………………………………………………………8 Proper storage practices……………………………………………………………………………8 Locating Aviation Fuel Storage Facilities………………………………………………..8 Regular Check Ups ………………………………………………………………………….9 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….10 References…………………………………………………………………………………..12 An Analysis of Airport Proper Handling and Storage of Aviation Fuel Aviation has advanced from a novelty to a crucial and defining element of the modern society. The long transport periods that characterized traditional road transport have been eliminated by the invention of air travel. Aviation is powered by petroleum fuels. Common aviation fuels include aviation gasoline and jet fuels. All fuel used in aircraft requires careful handling and storage. Negligence or committing errors during receipt, storage or handing of fuelling systems endangers both the aircraft and the crew on board. Mishandling of aviation fuels and fuelling systems may lead to severe injuries to people or damage to property. This is because it is quick to ignite and burns rapidly. According to the United States Department of Transportation (2008), the federal aviation regulations apply to a wide range of airport safety measures with fuel safety being the main priority. It is eminent for maintenance crew to be able to identify physical as well as chemical properties of various aviation fuels. This will enable them to deal with any fuel related emergencies as stipulated in the safety guidelines. Proper safety practices should extend from receipt to fuelling. Fuel safety guidelines are developed and enacted by the federal administration authority. The paper will address hazards, regulations, storage and safety precautions involved in dealing with aviation fuel as recommended by the Federal Administration Agency. The information provided in the paper will be a crucial guiding tool in oil and fuel receipt, handling and storage practices. General Proper Handling and Storage Practices Documentation Proper documentation is necessary for convenient and safe delivery of aviation fuel. The fuel being delivered should be stated, and its compliance with the federal aviation regulations should be indicated in the accompanying documents. Before approving documentation checks, the person handling delivery processes should ensure that the grade and quantity specifications are met (Langton, 2009). The seals in the delivery vessels should be intact to eliminate any possibility of contamination. The presence of water in the delivered fuel should be tested. Once the delivered fuel satisfies the indicated conditions, the delivery equipment should be grounded before being allowed into grade-plated receiving points. This minimizes the hazards that can result from static electricity. Federal Agency Regulations allude that the results of pre-delivery checks should be recorded and preserved for future reference. Settling Period After receipt, aviation fuel should be allowed to settle before being delivered to the receiving tanks. The settling time is dependent on the tank model, methods of drawing fuel from tanks and filter arrangement. All fuel storage equipment should be labeled to identify the type and grade of fuel they contain. This prevents intermixing or contamination of fuel. To prevent misidentification due to visibility challenges, delivery and storage equipment should be color coded. Maintenance of Fuel Systems Personnel All maintenance practices can be successful if the personnel handling them are reliable. According to the Air Transport Association of America (2004), aviation personnel should make sure that a suitable legislative policy, abiding by safety, health and environmental legislation is available and being enforced. Most accidents are caused by inadequate information on safety measures, lack of attention and deviation from the normal prescribed behavior. Therefore, all personnel should be satisfactorily trained on duty performance and emergency response tactics. Aviation fuel facilities should embark on employee training to curb dangers that may emanate from lack of safety knowledge when undertaking some tasks. Tasks adjudication should be based on the employee’s qualifications. Some of the training processes that may be partaken include contamination control and fuel receipts. They should also be trained on safe methods of using fire extinguishers, the location of fire alarm systems, as well as emergency controls, and stop switches. They should be made aware of their individual roles in case of any emergency. It is eminent for maintenance crew to be able to identify physical as well as chemical properties of various aviation fuels (Sera et al., 2009). This enables them to deal with any fuel-related emergency according to the indicated safety guidelines. All personnel should get rid of lighted cigarettes or any other flame producing item, materials or device so as to curb fire causation avenues. Smoking should only be permitted in designated regions, away from proximity of fueling equipments or fuels. Indicators barring smoking in sensitive zones should be affixed to act as a constant reminder of the danger associated with the practice. Power equipment should not be operated in regions where flammable vapors are present, for instance, in areas where tanks are being filled or cleaned. Trucks should be anchored on a grounded surface during loading services to minimize sparks from static electricity. Fuel handling personnel should be provided with proper clothing, which is not susceptible to static electrical build up. This minimizes fire incidences. Combustible rubbish such as packing materials or oily rags constitutes a ready fuel source for accidental fire. The possibility of spread of outside fire should also be considered when designing facilities dealing with aviation fuels. Practices such as proper housekeeping through elimination of bushes and grasses can help minimize the spread of such fires (Prather, 2011). Control of Flammable Vapor Flammable vapors are formed from exposure of volatile liquids to the atmosphere. Handling methods that do not expose these fuels to the atmosphere should be considered to ensure that hazards related to vapor accidents are avoided. Bottom loading method is the most efficient when loading fuel trucks as it minimizes vapor release to the surrounding environment. Safety precautions should also be followed when switching fuels, especially those with different temperatures, as this may lead to the formation and accumulation of vapor. Vapors can also arise from leaks of volatile liquids. Therefore, flanges, valves and pumps should be maintained in leak proof conditions (Gammon, 2004b). Gasoline should not be used to clean fuel equipment as it is a flammable motor fuel. All storage enclosures have natural or mechanical ventilation mechanisms that can act as exit routes for leaking vapors. Heating Equipment and Draining Aviation Fuel Heating equipment should not be situated in locations vulnerable to flammable vapors or spills. Those above ground level should be located in solitary buildings and rooms designed to resist fire. Heating should be carried out through in direct steam or hot water. Enclosures harboring heating systems should be maintained clean and orderly and should not be used as storage facilities. The personnel required to maintain repair or service fuel systems should ensure that all fuel drains and vents are clean and open (Prather, 2011). They should also use air or power spark proof tools for the maintenance of the fuel delivery systems. Rubber wheeled tool boxes that occur inside the fuel system maintenance locations should be grounded to avoid accidents or incidents related to static electricity. Those that are not mounted on rubber wheels should remain outside maintenance area. They should be carried manually to the cell maintenance area in non-metallic containers. All equipment stands should be equipped with personal discharge plates to minimize electricity related accidents. Leaking fuel should be drained by use of approved metal containers which should be bound to the aircraft and grounded always, whether in use or not. Contamination and Control Practices Mishandling and improper storage of aviation fuel causes to contamination. The principal contaminants are water, solids and microbial growths. Although the human element contributing to contamination of aviation fuels cannot be ignored, its impact can be minimized through the administration of careful operating procedures, adequate training, regular checkups and safe design of fuelling facilities (Rodriguez et al., 2012). Water and solids Water in fuel can occur in free or dissolved forms. The danger posed by dissolved water is that it settles out as free water in high altitudes due to cooling. Water can freeze in the fuel delivery systems leading to blockage as well as corrosion of these systems. This leads to engine failure. Free water should be removed from fuel through adequate filtering. Corrosion or oxidation processes can be controlled by use of approved fuel system inhibitors and metal deactivators. Freezing effects can be minimized by use of icing inhibitor. Common solids that can be found in aviation fuel include paint, rust, metal, sand and dust. Depending on their sizes, they can be identified as coarse or fine sediments. Gammon (2004a) affirms that proper cleaning practices and maintenance of internal filtering systems minimizes the destructive tendencies of solid contaminants. Microbial growth and fuel storage Living organisms like bacteria can occur wherever there is an interface between fuel and water in the storage devices. These organisms contaminate fuel and rust the metallic surfaces leading to inefficient fuel controls and flow dividers. The growth of microbial organisms signifies poor maintenance and failure of internal systems involved in equipment cleanup. Microbiological growth can be prevented by use of approved additives, for instance, Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (Canadian Standards Association, 2005). Some inhibitors contain biocides that eliminate microbial organisms present in contaminated fuel. Spillage should always be prevented. They expose fuel facilities to fire hazards as well as environmental pollution. The preventive action performed in the event of fuel spillage is dependent on the prevailing conditions such as size of the spill, location of the facility or weather conditions among other factors. Hazards arising from fuel spills can be curbed by trained personnel through appropriate action and excellent judgment of the situation (Wang, 2009). The managers of such facilities have an eminent role to play in curbing such emergencies. They should ensure that the emergency plan is up to date, and all employees are updated on the plan. Proper storage practices Locating Aviation Fuel Storage Facilities The effectiveness of safety measures necessary when handling aviation fuel systems is determined by the location of the storage facilities. This requires coordination of the airport users and fuel system design experts. Some of the considerations include accessibility to transport networks, proximity to fuelling areas and accessibility to fire protection equipment and services. These facilities should be located away from clear zones (Crittenden, 2007)). Fuel storage areas should be properly fenced and placarded with warning signs in order to inhibit trespass. Proper storage of aviation fuel requires precautions aimed at preventing contamination of storage facilities by solids, water or microbial organisms. The storage procedures should be designed to indicate any malfunction in time. This allows timely undertaking of corrective procedures aimed at curbing the impacts of accidents. Emphasis should be laid on regular checkup of storage facilities to ensure they are always kept in efficient, safety standards. Regular Check Ups Checking the bottom of all fuel storage tanks for the presence of water and eliminating it if any by use of draw off connection or thief pumps and a visual test. Recipient of a new product in storage facilities should be accompanied by checking of manual water drains for accumulation of water which should be eliminated. All fuel storage facilities should be segregated from other systems (Gammon, 2004b). Different fuel types should be stored according to their grade specifications. Installed storage facilities should have separate delivery and suction channels. Protective treatments should be carried out by use of approved chemicals that will not corrode equipment surfaces (Sera et al., 2009). For instance, zinc should be used in the internal lining of storage tanks or pipelines. Tanks should be designed to prevent entry of water and other contaminants. They should have a wide range of temperature property that is high boiling and low melting point. This helps them to sustain varied temperatures that characterize different grades of aviation fuels. Buried tanks should always be covered with a clean and well-fitting lid. Tanks situated above ground level should be equipped with vacuum or pressure release valves. Tank pipes with open ends should be fitted with protection devices like dust caps and plugs to prevent entry of contaminants. They should be designed in such a way that water can be drawn from the deepest points. For instance, tanks situated above the ground level should be fitted with drain cocks. Inspection should be carried out at least once a year and internally cleaned after every three years. Newly lined tanks should be inspected after one year to ensure that the new lining conforms to the required safety standards (Spiegel, 2007). Any defect should be rectified before refilling the tank. The pipelines handling different grades of fuels should not be interconnected. Drain points should be fitted in all low points of pipelines. Input and output lines should be fitted with filters, subject to regular inspections. Malfunctioning filters should be repaired or replaced (Whit ford, 2001). Turbine fuel should be fitted with fuel separators to boost the effectiveness of the filters. Separators should be monitored weekly as they are sensitive to contaminants. Malfunctioning separators leads to a reduction in flow rate or contamination of fuel drains. Regulation of fuel flow is eminent when filling a fuel separator vessel to prevent accumulation of static electricity. However, most of fuel brands are supplied with an additive that reduces static electricity hazard. Aviation fuel suppliers should provide information on safety measures required in safe handling and proper storage of aviation fuel. Conclusion The storage tanks, trucks and dispensers should be properly labeled and all the precautions involved in handling practices indicated. This acts as a reminder to the inexperienced handlers on the required safety measures that characterize proper storage. The fuel brand contained in the tanks and trucks should be indicated as well as precautions like the ones prohibiting smoking should be indicated. Functional fire extinguishers should accompany all fuel equipment. Fuel equipment should be kept clean and uncontaminated at all times. It should also possess grounding cables for protection of static electricity. Polyethylene or plastic buckets should not be used to collect or store aviation fuel as they cannot be grounded; thus they are at a high risk of causation of electricity related accidents. The personnel should be properly trained on the safe practices of handling, dispensing fuel and storage of fuel and lubricants. References Air Transport Association of America. (2004). Standards for jet fuel quality control at airports, ATA specification 103. Washington, D.C. Canadian Standards Association. (2005). Storage, handling, and dispensing of aviation fuels at aerodromes. Mississauga, Ont. Crittenden, P. (2007). Aviation ground operation safety handbook. Itasca, Ill.: National Safety Council. Gammon, J. (2004a). Manual of aviation fuel quality control procedures. ASTM Manual Series: MNL 5. West Conshohocken, Pa.: American Society for Testing and Materials. Gammon, J. (2004b). Aviation fuel quality control procedures. West Conshohocken, American Society for Testing & Materials. Langton, R. (2009). Aircraft fuel systems. Chichester, U.K.: Wiley. Prather, C. D. (2011). Airport self-inspection practices. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board. Rodriguez, C. C., Cusick, S. K., & Wells, A. T. (2012). Commercial aviation safety. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional. Sera, A., & MacDonald, M. (2009). Jet fuel pipelines and storage require special operation, maintenance considerations. Pipeline and Gas Journal, 236(12). Spiegel, C. (2007). Designing and building fuel cells. New York: McGraw-Hill. U.S. Dept. of Transportation (2008). Fuel tank ignition source prevention guidelines. Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Administration. Wang, Y. (2009). ICCTP 2009 critical issues in transportation system planning, development, and management: proceedings of the Ninth International Conference of Chinese Transportation Professionals: August 5-9, Harbin, China. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers. Whitford, E. J. (2001). Modern practice in handling aviation fuel at airports: papers presented at a conference organised by the Aviation Liaison Sub Committee on 11 October 1989. London: Institute of Petroleum. Read More