INTRODUCTION
The fuel system is very important to the safe and
efficient operation of an aircraft, and particular care must be taken to ensure
that the instructions and precautions contained in the relevant manuals,
schedules, and servicing instructions, are properly carried out.
Safety Precautions
The flammability of a fuel depends to a
large extent on its flash point, and the different types of fuel vary
considerably in this respect. Kerosene is far safer to handle than gasoline,
but, regardless of the type of fuel used in a particular system, it is
essential that precautions are taken to prevent the combustion of fuel vapours
during servicing operations. In addition, precautions must be taken to prevent
the harmful effects to health which may result from handling fuel or inhaling
fuel vapour. The following general precautions should be observed whenever the
fuel system is being worked on, and the relevant manuals should be consulted
for any requirements which are applicable to a particular aircraft or fuel
system. The special safety precautions necessary when entry into a tank is to
be made.
(a) The
aircraft should be electrically earthed, and any ground equipment or containers
should be earthed to the aircraft.
(b) Suitable
and adequately manned fire-fighting equipment should be available, and suitable
warning notices should be prominently displayed.
(c) Aircraft
electric supplies should be switched off, and no live electrical cables should
be left disconnected.
(d) Only
spark-proof electrical equipment should be operated in the vicinity of the
aircraft.
(e) Explosion-proof
lamps and torches should be used.
(f) When
draining fuel, any precautions detailed in the relevant Maintenance Manual
regarding centre-of-gravity movement or maximum permitted jack loads, must be
observed.
(g) To
prevent undue spillage of fuel, tanks and pipes should be drained or isolated
as appropriate, before breaking a connection or removing a component.
(h) Air-fed
respirators should be worn in areas of high vapour concentration, e.g. near an
open tank access hole.
No comments:
Post a Comment