Fuel spills not over 10 feet in any dimension or not over 50 square feet in area and not of a continuing nature. Ramp personnel shall?

Fuel spills not over 10 feet in any dimension or not over 50 square feet in area and not of a continuing nature. Ramp personnel shall?

• A. Inert the spill immediately
• B. Stand by until the aircraft is dispatched
• C. Post a fireguard upwind with foam-type or halon-type extinguisher until area is purged
• D. Notify supervisor

Answer: (C)

Small, contained fuel spills on the ramp require active protection against ignition and careful vapor control. The best action is to establish a fireguard around the spill upwind and have a foam-type or halon-type extinguisher ready to act until the area is purged. Placing the guard upwind reduces the chance vapors reach people, and the selected extinguishers are effective for hydrocarbon fuels, providing cooling and smothering to prevent ignition. Purging the area ensures remaining vapors dissipate and the risk of rekindling drops. Inerting the spill isn’t the standard approach for a small surface spill, waiting for aircraft dispatch delays safety, and simply notifying a supervisor doesn’t address the immediate ignition hazard.

Small, contained fuel spills on the ramp require active protection against ignition and careful vapor control. The best action is to establish a fireguard around the spill upwind and have a foam-type or halon-type extinguisher ready to act until the area is purged. Placing the guard upwind reduces the chance vapors reach people, and the selected extinguishers are effective for hydrocarbon fuels, providing cooling and smothering to prevent ignition. Purging the area ensures remaining vapors dissipate and the risk of rekindling drops. Inerting the spill isn’t the standard approach for a small surface spill, waiting for aircraft dispatch delays safety, and simply notifying a supervisor doesn’t address the immediate ignition hazard.