Refuelling with pax onboard

[fly babe]

Our refueller yesterday refused to begin fuelling unless rear steps were brought to the a/c or the rear door was armed. Our ops manual states that the rear door should ideally be open with steps in position, but may be closed if the slide is serviceable (but not armed.

He still refused to refuell saying that it was a CAA requirement for the 737 to have steps at rear or door armed.

Is it really a CAA requirement? Never heard of it before!

[bacardi walla]

a) ATC & the fire service (via ATC) are to be advised.

b) Passengers and staff are to be notified.

c) NO SMOKING sign in the cabin must be on.

d) Fasten seat belts sign must be off.

e) All passengers on board to have seat belts unfastened.

f) Interior lighting sufficient to identify emergency exits on.

g) All aisles and emergency exits unobstructed.

h) No individual items of electrical equipment to be stwicthed on or off while fuelling is in progress.

i) Emergency exits will be manned by cabin crew according to type. Provision is to be made via at least 2 of the main passenger doors (or the main passenger door plus one emergency exit when only one main door is available) and preferably at opposing ends of the aircraft for the evacuation of passengers. The exits are to be manned constantly by a cabin crew member.

j) The position of the fuel bowser relative of the aircraft is to be such that it will not impede the rapid exit of passengers.

k) Flight deck is to be manned.

Above as per current UK CAA regulations.

[Boss Raptor]

I have been with airlines where they also require a Fire Truck to be in attendance at a re-fueling with pax on board and this can also be a local airport rule - over and above the operators local CAA requirements

[Opssys]

Whilst Bacardi Walla's post indicates the regulations have tightened up since my days in Ramp Dispatch (nostalgia moment).
Commonsense dictates both main Pax Doors open with Jetty/Steps docked when refueling with Pax on Board
The slight surprise is the crew, cabin, or cockpit didn't pick it up even if Ramp Staff, Line Engineer didn't!

After all safety is no accident

[fly babe]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

The wording of bacardis reply reflects our ops manual and all points were adhered to.

Opssys, although it would've been ideal to have had the rear door open with steps attached, it was a very busy time of day with a lot of a/c to turn around. We loaded our pax but had to wait for the refueller and in the meantime the rear steps were removed to service another a/c. It is not uncommon to only have the forward door available for embarking/disembarking whether refuelling, or not.

[nibor]

If i am not mistaken there are also a couple of extra point worth noting.

1. The area around the exits must remain clear of all vehicles and equipment during the fueling/defueling process.
ie. if steps are in place they cannot be removed during fueling as they would impede the chute deployment.

2. Use of overwing fueling with passengers onboard is not permitted.

[jnr]

with some airlines it is also a requirement that no infants or special needs pax are onboard (all passengers must be able bodied) incase of an evacuation. Also Ground personnel must be in contact with flight deck via head set or hand signals. Specific announcements by CC are made also.