Wednesday, June 10, 2015

FUEL SYSTEM SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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.

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