The aviation industry is significantly different in terms of working conditions, risk levels, and other factors. The fuel and its grade are also different, which requires special attention. Therefore, professionals must be cautious during the jet fuel storage and transportation process. Any minor error can lead to a significant disaster in both life and financial terms. Only by examining the conditions for the storage and transportation of jet fuel can we see that numerous strict rules must be adhered to. To simplify it, here are seven best practices for storing and transporting jet fuel safely. Compliance with the Jet Fuel Regulatory Authority The first and most important practice is compliance with global regulations regarding the storage and transportation of jet fuel. It includes the grade and type of jet fuel, which must meet the minimum safety and performance requirements of the engine. Jet A, Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8 are some commonly used grades of jet fuel, distinguished by their freezing points and other performance factors. They have to meet different regulations to qualify for their desired jet engines fully. Then come the aviation regulatory authorities, which are mostly international. Primarily, they are the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Until the fuel grade meets these bodies’ regulations, one cannot proceed. Then, each continent and country’s local regulatory authorities rule over them for further processing. Some European and North American countries follow their respective European and federal aviation rules. The most crucial stage is labeling jet fuels based on their grades, testing dates, and other relevant factors. It ensures the quality and stability of fuel to determine their performance and compatibility. Both storage and transportation activities must meet regulations and laws to achieve safety levels. Then comes the license requirement for the storage of jet fuel. The required storage limit is permitted once the aviation regulatory authority has acquired the license. The storage facility must comply with requirements regarding ethanol, water, and other chemical testing in jet fuel. Storage Facility and Precautions Safety precautions are as mandatory as compliance with fuel quality regulations is. Therefore, aviation companies must ensure they follow storage facility precautions to prevent accidents and contamination in jet fuel. Stainless steel tanks with epoxy linings are a standard storage solution for jet fuel. It prevents contamination and rust due to these anti-rust materials. Yet, frequent inspections are necessary to avoid any minor risk of change in the chemical composition of fuel. The riskiest factor is static discharge, which needs high preventive measures. Proper grounding techniques ensure there is no risk of accidents near the storage tanks. Workers must wear PPE to prevent any potential injuries from fumes and fire. Since it is a highly flammable liquid, workers must wear personal protective equipment that meets the requirements for jet fuel. Ensure there is no leak by double-sealing the containers. Regular inspections are mandatory to prevent any leakage at the fuel storage site. Frequently monitor the temperature because jet fuel is extremely hazardous near rising temperatures. Prevent direct sunlight and even cigarette butts. Since the risk of degradation persists, workers must frequently inspect and rotate the fuel containers. Ensure that there is no risk of spills during the testing and storage transfer process. Ensure a high ventilation level is maintained at the fuel storage zone. If there is any risk of poor ventilation, your workers will be at grave risk of health degradation and worse. Since moisture can accumulate at the storage site, frequent inspection is mandatory to prevent any moisture growth. Workers must test fuel quality by inspecting the increase in moisture level. It helps them avoid fuel degradation from water-based contamination. Perform Regular Inspection of Jet Fuel and Strict Monitoring Regular sampling of jet fuel is necessary to avoid any changes caused by environmental elements. Do a sample collection to inspect any increase in water level or contamination in jet fuel. Moist conditions, such as rainy seasons and coastal areas, can affect the quality of fuel. Likewise, moisture and water management in fuel need to be inspected to prevent fuel degradation. The quality can change if there is a chemical disruption in the fuel. Prevent your workers from smoking near the storage and transportation site of jet fuel. It is as deadly as one can imagine the aftermath. Likewise, authorities have to impose restrictions on unauthorized personnel’s access to jet fuel. CCTV monitoring is mandatory to prevent accidental risks and theft of fuel. Regular monitoring is necessary to avoid any risks. Follow Strict Vehicle Maintenance for Safe Fuel Transportation The vehicles, such as trailers and trucks, that carry jet fuel for transportation must meet specific safety and performance requirements. The maintenance team must ensure that all hoses in the vehicles are intact and free from any damage. Frequent inspection is mandatory to prevent wear and tear and leakage of fuel during transportation. The tanks on the vehicles must meet anti-corrosion and anti-crack requirements. For this reason, they must be made of heavy-duty materials, such as stainless steel, alloy, or even composite materials. The sealing process must ensure that there is no chance of leakage or spillage during transportation. Different compartments are made inside the tank to avoid the imbalance of the truck caused by fuel turbulence. Follow Safety Precautions During the Fuel Dispensing Process The fuel dispensing process is very risky since fumes of jet fuel rise throughout the process. It increases the risk of fire ignition, which could be due to any environmental reason. Here is what professionals have to do. They must ensure that the dispensing process does not take place in an enclosed space. That poses a risk of suffocation to the workers. Every person involved in the dispensing process must wear PPE for safety reasons. There must be enough distance between the tank and the workers. That will allow them to take action promptly if anything goes wrong. In the event of any spillage, it must be stopped and cleaned immediately. Please strictly instruct workers not to smoke near the jet fuel dispensing area. Ensure the tanks, vehicles, and hoses are not exposed to direct sunlight. It could ignite the flames within a few minutes in extreme cases. Grounding and Bonding the Aircraft and Fuel Tank Here is a very crucial practice that requires special attention. During the aircraft fueling process, grounding and bonding activities must be performed. If these techniques are not followed, the risk of static discharge will be extremely high. It could lead to sudden accidents. The aircraft and the fueling tank must be grounded at the common ground to prevent any risk of static formation. During the fueling process, fuel bonding cables neutralize the process and eliminate the risk of static charge formation. Also, make sure there are no unnecessary metal objects near the aircraft and fuel tank. Training and Equipment for Emergency Situations The staff involved in this entire jet fuel storage, dispensing, and fueling process must have training. That training should include alertness, equipment preparedness, and emergency actions during a panic. The fuel operating areas must have fully functional fire extinguishing tools. Every step, from saving one's own life to helping others, must be taken with consideration for every step. Lastly, the PPE must meet global quality requirements to avoid any failure at a crucial moment. Conclusion These standard practices of storing and transporting jet fuels ensure the safety of jet fuel, workers, the place, and everything involved in the process. Additionally, the quality standards must meet global requirements to be compatible with jet engines. Unless they meet chemical composition, there will always be a risk of contamination, degradation, and below-par level performance of fuel.
Southland Boundless Advisors Ltd. (T&T)
Southland Boundless Advisors Ltd (SLBA Ltd.)is based in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies and operates in several major subsectors globally: