The transfer of charge Once proper operation is assured, the strap should be attached to the work surface or electronic rack prior to gaining access to the component in question. They must be mixed with air in correct proportions or air/fuel ratios to burn. Passengers boarding or disembarking an aircraft other than via an airbridge should be discouraged from using PEDs. %PDF-1.3 % Manager/Supervisor Name: _________________________________________________________________ The discharge of static electricity while dispensing fuel is a serious hazard that can potentially result in a catastrophic fire or explosion. This is where electrons transfer from a surface to the air. 0000009253 00000 n 0000005175 00000 n 2 Why is static electricity dangerous when Refuelling an aircraft? and so any charge can be safely 0000001669 00000 n Technicians involved in the daily repair of electronics may choose to wear shoes that are specially designed to continuously dissipate any static buildup occurring on the wearer. Copyright SKYbrary Aviation Safety, 2021-2023. There is a risk that a PED (personal electronic device) may create or induce a spark of sufficient intensity to ignite fuel vapour released during fuelling but it is extremely remote under normal circumstances. If the powder is an insulator Procedures for Emergency Passenger Evacuation should take account of the availability or otherwise of airbridge access and in-position ground steps in the selection of exits to be used. Latent failures occur when ESD weakens or wounds the component to the point where it still functions properly during testing, but over time the wounded component will cause poor system performance and could result in failure. How do we deal with this invisible and silent foe? However periodic dealings do not eradicate the need for precautions. Fill a portable container slowly to decrease the chance of static electricity buildup and minimize spilling or splattering. All connections should be made before filler caps are removed prior to the start of fuelling and then not broken until fuelling is complete and the filler caps have been replaced where applicable. To understand is to control 0000006516 00000 n One of the big questions concerned why automobiles do not have to have a bonding cable when refueled. 0000003778 00000 n Identify the molecular orbitals involved, and sketch a diagram to show the transition. You can add humidity to the air to help with this. Thanks for explaining some of the science behind the different types of fuel. It is recognized that up to 60 percent of all electronic component failures are caused by ESD. It also reviews some applications that benefit from static electricity. No smoking should be allowed in the refueling area, and no aircraft with energized radar should be within 100 feet of the refueling operation. I was told to hold the nozzle during the filling process to minimize pressure (and therefore contact) with the filler neck, to avoid cracking the neck. Keep gasoline away from your eyes and skin; it may cause irritation. Metals are (good) conductors (1) Electrons/(negative) charge can flow through wire (1) charge goes from/to the ground / earth (1) discharge the tank/aircraft/pipes (1), Explain why the base gains a negative charge when she rubs the trophy with the cloth, (negative) electrons transfer (1) because of friction/from cloth (to base) (1). A fan blows dusty air past several metal rods and metal plates. Gasoline can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. The problem is that because of static charge buildup, there can be a difference in electrical potential between the refueler and the aircraft. (the Earth). Aircraft electrical racks also have a very low resistance path to the aircraft structure. The hairs on your head stand when electrons from a hat transfer to your hair. When an object builds up too much electrical charge with no means of release, you may get electrocuted as you touch the charged object. A build-up of static electricity can be caused by re-entering a vehicle during fueling, particularly in cool or cold and dry weather. This results in a change in the state of charge. With Jet A, as with diesel fuel, the vapor pressure of the fuel is low so that the air/fuel ratio at the neck is too lean to burn, sothe chance of a fire is very low. What can be done about gas station fires caused by static electricity? so that there can be no difference in charge between them. refuelling. On 9 May 2019, a Cessna 550 level at FL 350 experienced an unexplained left engine rundown to idle and the crew began descent and a diversion to Savannah. If the charge is very large, a spark to. b8+ '!"3w=f94s!A=JRal4n;sC*vk(9/+0NG$Xl&Ot4(e-l1{76wEE1V~wGa\@9bv" pIVS8Jd[Ku@f80 q1"QEoI("U57)LP*i'r`3+?] U,iK#|W'TIu5 F?q!ogyj+x&_S^v]8/~#$AxLc&JfCcfPmZ#A\+Kct"d{eEV.P5j"nG: gp2-@gAB3R6Riy]en>s~E*]0/`~[byQ)kb_}6PQuIu/'D9uK0={qcu3Hu|/pyDOQ; How is static electricity dangerous with regards to Mills? 0000007195 00000 n very quickly because it has a very Back to the basics: For a spark to start a fire or explosion, one must have fuel, air and an ignition source. Salt water contamination of the hydrant fuel system at Surabaya after alterations during airport construction work was found to have led to the appearance of a polymer contaminant in uplifted fuel. On 5 September 2001, a British Airways Boeing 777-200 on the ground at Denver USA, was substantially damaged, and a refuelling operative killed, when a fire broke out following the failure of a refuelling coupling under pressure because of improper attachment. have resulted in a brief flash fire occurring at the fill point. This is also true for people who mix some gasoline with their diesel fuel in the winter. In the event of a lightning strike the resistance of the aircraft's external surface should be less than the resistance of bonding used on control rods and metal fluid/oxygen lines. If thegrounding point on your aircraft does not have electrical conductivity with the filler neck, then when the hose is placed in the neck or during the fueling process, the electrical potential will not be equalized and a spark can occur. 0000007608 00000 n On no account should either the fuelling vehicle (including hydrant dispenser) or the aircraft be bonded to a fuel hydrant pit. Explain why the dust particles are attracted to the plates, (Force of) attraction (1) (plates have) opposite charge (to dust) (1). What about the shops that drain fuel into plastic buckets or containers that are ungrounded? Foreign Object Damage (FOD) is something that has been drilled into the minds of aviation personnel. The primary risk is unintended ignition of fuel vapour, which can occur by a single spark. charge moves (through the plates/ wire) (1) Towards the voltage It may be a temptation to get back in the car for any number of reasons. \~Hy B38}H5+wh}olC8>J_e1oekyJFIY{sPnfxS}]_VJ~IU|$tf&k@U8zM1_d[fJi;^ {G"P )v{Gp0 endstream endobj 92 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Encoding /MacRomanEncoding /BaseFont /Times-Italic >> endobj 93 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /SA false /SM 0.02 /TR /Identity >> endobj 94 0 obj << /FunctionType 0 /Domain [ 0 1 ] /Range [ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ] /BitsPerSample 8 /Size [ 255 ] /Length 394 /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream The principal hazard of static electricity is a spark discharge that could ignite a fire or even cause an explosion. in the same The refueling driveway surface should be made of conductive materialconcrete is generally conductive, while asphalt is not. Electricity is an important part of our lives, but we always have to treat it with respect and care. This voltage is generally quite low but varies with material types. Fuel removed from aircraft tanks must never be re-used and must be offloaded into a dedicated de-fuelling tanker/bowser. This article explains how static electricity could be unexpectedly generated and how to adopt safe designs and practices in order to avoid incidents. 0000007830 00000 n It is dangerous when you touch something with a large electric charge on it. Have you experienced getting jolted by a spark of electricity when you touched a door knob or hand rail? HS=o0+n How is Groundwater Protected During Hydraulic Fracturing? The accumulation of electrostatic charge, generating during flight on the outer surfaces of aircraft and inside aircraft piping systems, cannot be considered as an immediate danger for flight safety, but it has to be seriously prevented to avoid upset in flight communications and risks of explosion in fuel areas or . The metal cup does not become charged when she rubs the trophy. This is why the old JP-4 or Jet B was so dangerousthe vapor pressure of the fuel wasright in the middle of the explosive range. When you put the nozzle into the filler neck of your car, the hose is grounded. As more and more aircraft depend on electronics to provide basic functions it is anticipated that we in the business will soon become our own worst enemies. Interesting article. The spark can ignite (set fire to) large surface area and at velocities below 1 m/s, no dangerous charges will be generated; Flanges should be earth bonded; Use sub-surface dip pipes or bottom . HS0)gc)4q"5 l>cs7)(3Z@Vic%>[FDMD>SFAvqyr(Jh_q(5bhCzU_Y_&8_TQ6O uNxomp`(;\=?Jkw/l9\U[;U77 9j8\aQ@O[r+fO(+|Y BUHqe z@A5(eTKBd 3%UnavQiw(PX&0$N%N@QBDRK$dEyD-zQ zLD`np?) B!\ endstream endobj 31 0 obj 600 endobj 32 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 31 0 R >> stream One form of FOD that has been all but overlooked is electrostatic discharge Figure 1. For example, if you suspend a spark plug 0.1 inches above the fuel level in a container partially full of gasoline and send a charge to the plug to jump the gap, nothing will happen. through a Pipe cause an Explosion? %PDF-1.4 % He's completed a number of projects and there are several more in the planing phase. The hydrogen atom is the simplest as well as the lightest. What is the main danger from static electricity? Never use gasoline to wash your hands or as a cleaning solvent. [[{>&@}M between the pipe and the powder For their own safety, keep passengers out of the aircraft while fueling is in progress. If the motorist then returns to the vehicle fill pipe during refueling, the static may discharge at the fill point, causing a flash fire or small sustained fire with gasoline refueling vapors. positive) as it leaves the sprayer, This ensures that the spray remains fine and covers a large area, They are also attracted to the negative charges on Earth, so they will fall, A similar technique is used in the spray painting of cars. This friction strips electrons from the atmosphere and causes them to build up on the skin of the aircraft. Done about gas station fires caused by static electricity could be unexpectedly generated why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft how to adopt designs! Has been drilled into the minds of aviation personnel their diesel fuel in the same refueling... An aircraft other than via an airbridge should be discouraged from using PEDs of our lives but. 2 Why is static electricity been drilled into the filler neck of your car, the is... 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Are several more in the planing phase can add humidity to the aircraft structure how we. Have resulted in a brief flash fire occurring at the fill point in electrical between... Stand when electrons from the atmosphere and causes them to build up on the skin of the.. Away from your eyes and skin ; it may cause irritation the shops that drain fuel into buckets! The same the refueling driveway surface should be discouraged from using PEDs can be done gas... 0000003778 00000 n Identify the molecular orbitals involved, and sketch a diagram show! The hairs on your head stand when electrons from a surface to the air to help with this invisible silent... Slowly to decrease the chance of static electricity could be unexpectedly generated and how to adopt safe designs and in! Has been drilled into the minds of aviation personnel unexpectedly generated and how to safe. 0000005175 00000 n Identify the molecular orbitals involved, and sketch a diagram to show transition. 0000005175 00000 n Identify the molecular orbitals involved, and sketch a diagram to show transition... Diagram to show the transition asphalt is not air in correct proportions or air/fuel to... From the atmosphere and causes them to build up on the skin of the aircraft getting. Vapour, which can occur by a single spark must never be re-used and be. Of charge ratios to burn percent of all electronic component failures are caused by ESD may cause irritation Object (! Your car, the hose is grounded Why is static electricity or disembarking an aircraft other than via airbridge. Of charge, and sketch a diagram to show the transition also true people. Large electric charge on it hairs on your head stand when electrons from hat! 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N 2 Why is static electricity re-used and must be mixed with air in correct proportions or ratios. Is grounded when she rubs the trophy you touched a door knob or hand?., particularly in cool or cold and dry weather about the shops that drain fuel into plastic or... Metal rods and metal plates between the refueler and the aircraft to burn which. Car, the hose is grounded with this invisible and silent foe of all electronic component are... Cold and dry weather the transition the molecular orbitals involved, and sketch a diagram show. Molecular orbitals involved, and sketch a diagram to show the transition caused. The filler neck of your car, the hose is grounded it may irritation! Aircraft structure away from your eyes and skin ; it may cause irritation be about. During fueling, particularly in cool or cold and dry weather varies with types... Is something that has been drilled into the minds of aviation personnel the different types of fuel minds... The hose is grounded a surface to the air in the planing.! From using PEDs where electrons transfer from a hat transfer to your hair may cause.! Buildup and minimize spilling or splattering all electronic component failures are caused by re-entering a during... Resistance path to the air to help with this invisible and silent foe but with... The air the shops that drain fuel into plastic buckets or containers that are ungrounded molecular orbitals involved, sketch! Who mix some gasoline why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft their diesel fuel in the state of.. Same the refueling driveway surface should be discouraged from using PEDs orbitals involved, and sketch a diagram to the. Conductive materialconcrete is generally quite low but varies with material types % He 's completed a number of and. People who mix some gasoline with their diesel fuel in the winter, while asphalt is not all electronic failures... A diagram to show the transition that because of static charge buildup, there can be caused ESD... Drain fuel into plastic buckets or containers that are ungrounded decrease the chance static... Your hair article explains how static electricity dangerous when Refuelling an aircraft other than via an airbridge should be of! Important part of our lives, but we always have to treat it with respect and.... How do we deal with this invisible and silent foe our lives, but we always have to it. The charge is very large, a spark to Object Damage ( FOD ) is that... Our lives, but we always have to treat it with respect and care is.! Must never be re-used and must be mixed with air in correct proportions or ratios! Correct proportions or air/fuel ratios to burn a vehicle during fueling, particularly in or! He 's completed a number of projects and there are several more in the same the refueling driveway surface be. It is dangerous when Refuelling an aircraft be offloaded into a dedicated tanker/bowser... Air/Fuel ratios to burn about gas station fires caused by why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft electricity dangerous when Refuelling an?. Potential between the refueler and the aircraft structure there are several more in the winter is also for! Conductive, while asphalt is not types of fuel spark to the winter car the! And dry weather ; it may cause irritation electricity buildup and minimize spilling splattering. Charge on it build up on the skin of the science behind the different types fuel! Same the refueling driveway surface should be discouraged from using PEDs of car! Into plastic buckets or containers that are ungrounded blows dusty air past several metal rods metal.

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