1. (1) Fuel handling.

   1. (i) Aircraft shall not be engaged in fuel handling in an area where aircraft engines are operating, aircraft or engines are being warmed by application of heat, or while the aircraft is located in a congested area.

   2. (ii) A properly trained person shall be present and responsive while fuel is being transferred into or out of any fuel storage facility (from or into refueling vehicle).

      1. (a) The person shall remain within the immediate vicinity, in close proximity to, and in direct view of all operating controls and refueling vehicles.
      2. (b) The person shall not leave the discharge end of any hose(s) unattended at any time while the transfer of fuel is in progress.
      3. (c) The person shall not block open, disengage, or deactivate the “deadman” or any related controls while fuel handling.
   3. (iii) All fuel handling shall be treated with due caution and circumspection with regard to the rights, safety, and security of others so as not to endanger, or be likely to endanger, persons or property.

   4. (iv) Persons engaged in fuel handling shall exercise care and extreme caution to prevent overflow or spills of fuel or oils.

      1. (a) Should a fuel or oil spill occur at the airport, the party responsible shall fully comply with section 176.3(p) of this Part.
   5. (v) Refueling vehicles shall be positioned so the vehicle can be directly driven away from the loading or refueling position in the event of spill or fire.
   6. (vi) Fuel handling shall be conducted outdoors and at least 25 feet from any hangar or building and 50 feet from any combustion and ventilation air-intake to any boiler, heater, or incinerator room or as approved by the authority and the fire department.
   7. (vii) Vehicles shall be refueled only at refueling stations and from dispensing devices approved by the authority and the fire department.

   8. (viii) In the absence of suitable ground support equipment, a turbine-powered auxiliary power unit mounted at the rear of the aircraft or on the wing on the side opposite from the fueling point may be operated during fuel handling.

      1. (a) A turbine-powered auxiliary power unit may be operated during fuel handling provided its design, installation, location, and combustion air source do not constitute a fuel vapor ignition source.
      2. (b) Fuel handling shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the aircraft operator's manual.

   9. (ix) Fuel handling shall not occur if an electrical storm is in progress in the immediate vicinity of the airport.

      1. (a) Fuel handling may resume 15 minutes following any reported or observed lightning flash within 5 miles of the airport.

   10. (x) The refueling vehicle shall be bonded to the aircraft or fuel storage facility to equalize the voltage potential.

       1. (a) All hoses, nozzles, spouts, funnels, and appurtenances used in fuel handling shall be FM or UL approved and shall be equipped with a bonding device to prevent ignition of volatile liquids.
   11. (xi) Refueling vehicles shall not be operated in reverse unless another trained person is present to safely monitor and direct the movement of the refueling vehicle.
   12. (xii) Fuel handling shall not occur while passengers are on board the aircraft unless a passenger-loading ramp is in place at the aircraft's cabin door, the door is in the open position, and a qualified attendant is present at the door.
   13. (xiii) No person shall operate any radio transmitter or receiver or switch it on or off during fuel handling unless said radio transmitter or receiver is designed specifically for such environment.
   14. (xiv) No person shall operate aircraft electrical systems or switch aircraft electrical appliances on or off during fuel handling.
   15. (xv) Hold down or hold open devices on refueling vehicle nozzles are prohibited.

   16. (xvi) For single point fueling, “deadman” controls or mechanisms shall be utilized and shall remain in safe operating condition and good working order.

       1. (a) No person shall deactivate or bypass a “deadman” control or mechanism at any time.

   17. (xvii) During fuel handling, no person shall use any material or equipment which is likely to cause a spark or ignition within 50 feet.

       1. (a) Smoking, matches, lighters, and open flames (e.g., candles, fixtures, or fires) are prohibited within 50 feet of any aircraft, refueling vehicle, or fuel storage facility.
   18. (xviii) Refueling vehicles (including fuel tankers) shall only use the entrance, exit, and route designated by the authority during the transportation and delivery of fuel.
   19. (xix) Refueling vehicles (including fuel tankers) shall be subject to inspection at any time to determine compliance with these rules and regulations.

   20. (xx) The authority assumes no liability or responsibility for any violation of any aircraft, refueling vehicle or refueling requirement or procedure, any error, omission, negligence, or any violation of any regulatory measure relating to fuel handling.

       1. (a) Entities engaged in fuel handling shall be solely, fully, and completely responsible for any such violation, error, omission, or negligence incident to or in connection with the entities fuel storage facilities, refueling vehicles, fuel handling, and training.
       2. (b) Entities engaged in fuel handling shall reimburse the authority for any fines, legal or court costs, incurred by the authority for any such violation, error, omission, or negligence.

2. (2) Rotorcraft rapid refueling.

   1. (i) Only turbine engine rotorcraft fueled with jet fuel shall be permitted to be fueled while an onboard engine is operating. All sources of ignition must be located above the fuel inlet port(s), vents or tank openings.
   2. (ii) An FAA-licensed rotorcraft pilot shall be at the rotorcraft controls during the entire fuel handling process.
   3. (iii) If applicable, medical crew members shall be ready to remove the patient from the rotorcraft to a safe area in the event of a fuel handling accident.
   4. (iv) Only designated personnel, properly trained in rapid refueling operations, shall operate the refueling vehicle.
   5. (v) All doors, windows, and access points allowing entry to the interior of the rotorcraft which are adjacent to, or in the immediate vicinity of, the fuel inlet ports shall be closed and shall remain closed during fuel handling.
   6. (vi) Fuel shall be dispensed into an open port from approved dead-man type nozzles, with a flow rate not to exceed 60 gallons per minute or it shall be dispensed through close-coupled pressure fueling ports.
   7. (vii) When fuel is dispensed from fixed piping systems the hose cabinet shall not extend into the rotor space.
   8. (viii) The refueling vehicle shall be pre-positioned in a designated area and the rotorcraft will land after the refueling vehicle has been parked and the wheels chocked (maintaining no less than 20 feet between any rotorcraft rotating component and the refueling vehicle). The refueling vehicle shall not be moved or relocated while the rotorcraft is on the ground or hovering near-by.

3. (3) Storage of refueling vehicles.

   1. (i) Refueling vehicles shall be stored outdoors and not less than 50 feet from a building or at the distance approved by the fire department unless the building is designed, constructed, and used exclusively, and approved by the fire department specifically for this purpose.
   2. (ii) Refueling vehicles shall be parked in a manner that provides a minimum of 10 feet of separation between vehicles and any other vehicle or aircraft and a minimum of 20 feet from a storm water inlet.

4. (4) Maintenance of refueling vehicles.

   1. (i) Maintenance of refueling vehicles shall be performed outdoors or in a building which is approved by the fire department specifically for this purpose.
   2. (ii) Entities engaged in fuel handling shall document and maintain and keep on file refueling vehicle maintenance records. These records shall be made available to the authority upon request.

5. (5) Fuel storage facilities.

   1. (i) All security gates leading into fuel storage facilities shall remain (be kept) closed, locked, and secured except when actually in use.

      (b) Commercial fueling.

      Entities engaged in commercial fueling must be authorized to conduct commercial fueling operations under the minimum standards for aeronautical services.

      (c) Non-commercial self-fueling.

      Entities engaged in non-commercial self-fueling shall comply with the minimum standards for aeronautical services.

(a) General.