WL (to your post #22): Specific company procedures always apply, yet those must reflect the current regulatory requirements.
EU-OPS 1.305 Refuelling/defuelling with passengers embarking, on board or disembarking
... necessary precautions must be taken and the aeroplane must be properly manned by qualified personnel ready to initiate and direct an evacuation of the aeroplane by the most practical and expeditious means available.
Appendix 1 to OPS 1.305
An operator must establish operational procedures for re/defuelling with passengers embarking, on board or disembarking to ensure the following precautions are taken:
(1) one qualified person must remain at a specified location during fuelling operations with passengers on board. This qualified person must be capable of handling emergency procedures concerning fire protection and fire-fighting,
handling communications and initiating and directing an evacuation;
(2) a two-way communication shall be established and shall remain available by the aeroplane's inter-communication system or other suitable means between the ground crew supervising the refuelling and the qualified personnel on board the aeroplane;
(3) crew, staff and passengers must be warned that re/defuelling will take place;
(4) “Fasten seat belts” signs must be off;
(5) “No smoking” signs must be on, together with interior lighting to enable emergency exits to be identified;
(6) passengers must be instructed to unfasten their seat belts and refrain from smoking;
(7) sufficient qualified personnel must be on board and be prepared for an immediate emergency evacuation;
(8) if the presence of fuel vapour is detected inside the aeroplane, or any other hazard arises during re/defuelling, fuelling must be stopped immediately;
(9) the ground area beneath the exits intended for emergency evacuation and slide deployment areas must be kept clear; and
(10) provision is made for a safe and rapid evacuation.
FD (the un-real)