NFPA 407 Aviation Fueling Checklist

NFPA 407 is the Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing. The standard outlines general requirements for all aviation fueling operations and four individual fuel applications.  

General requirements (Chapter 4). These apply to all fueling operations.  Outlined in this section is general safety guidelines, fueling equipment requirements and specifications, and fueling operations requirements.

Aviation fueling facilites (Chapter 5). This section addresses requirements for fuel tanks, installation plan review requirements, system components, and acceptance testing criteria.  In addition to the requirements listed in this section, fuel tanks must also be installed per the requirements of NFPA 30.

Airport fueling vehicles (Chapter 6).  Fuel vehicle manufacturer requirements are outlined in this section. Marking, vehicle operation, and general safety requirements are also stated in this section.

Rooftop heliports (Chapter 7).  With a few exceptions, this section largely refers the reader to NFPA 418, Standard for Heliports.

Self-service aircraft fueling (Chapter 8). Provides a short list of requirements for the protection of the user.  These include location of emergency fuel shut-off switches, fire protection, informational signage, access control, and fire protection.

For fire inspectors tasked with conducting periodic inspections of these facilities, the minimum requirements can be difficult to pull from the standard.  The link below will take you to an NFPA 407 inspection checklist that can be used for guidance during an inspection.

Download NPFA 407 Inspection Checklist

Related posts:

• How to Conduct Aircraft Fuel Servicing Operations
• Rapid Refueling and NFPA 407
• The 4-1-8 on Heliport Design
• How to Store Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Information: 503-969-2028 or marc.kilman-burnham@amr.net.

Rapid Refueling and NFPA 407

NFPA 407, Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing outlines the necessary requirements to prevent fire and provide for life safety during fuel servicing of aircraft.  This standard addresses every issue from the type of equipment used, to fuel system design, to operations and personnel.  

Though fuel servicing an active aircraft is prohibited by this standard, section 5.21 does allow the rapid “hot” refueling of helicopters (Jet A or Jet A-1 fuels only).  However, there are six criteria that must be met:

1. Pilot must be FAA licensed and remain at the controls at all times.
2. All passengers must be deboarded and moved to a safe location.
3. No boarding or deboarding may occur during the fuel operation.
4. Only those individuals trained in rapid refueiling operations can perform this function.
5. All aircraft openings in the vicinity of the fuel inlet port are to remain closed and secured.
6. Only approved nozzles, flow, and equipment may be used.  Fuel servicing vehicles are to remain at least 20’ from the aircraft.  However, if a curb or barrier is present it shall prevent the vehicle from coming within 10’ of the aircraft.

These are listed as the minimum requirements for helicopter rapid refueling.  NFPA 407, provides in-depth guidance on each of the listed components.  It provides clear guidance on the loading and unloading of passengers, and safe distances during fuel servicing operations, outlines proper training requirements for fuel servicing personnel, identifies proper location and spacing for aircraft to be fueled, and it provides guidance for all equipment used in these operations.

For further information, you can view a read-only file of NFPA 407 at http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards.   I would also recommend reading the article, “Helicopter Hot Fueling”, by DeborahAnn Cavalcante of Diversified Aviation Consulting.