FM 1–300

4–1

Chapter 4

Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants Services Branch

The petroleum, oils, and lubricants ( POL) services branch is responsible for servicing aircraft and for

inspecting and general policing of its facilities. The branch also is responsible for operating its

assigned vehicles. This chapter discusses the personnel and responsibilities of the POL services

branch, aircraft refueling (servicing), and the handling and safety of POL.

4–1. PERSONNEL AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The POL services branch includes a branch chief, shift supervisors, and petroleum storage

specialists.

a. Branch Chief. The branch chief—

(1) Coordinates branch activities under the supervision of the operations officer.

(2) Prepares an SOP that outlines the duties and responsibilities of branch personnel.

(3) Ensures that personnel are properly trained and qualified to perform their assigned

duties.

(4) Assigns specific personnel responsibilities and ensures that duty rosters and performance

records are properly maintained.

(5) Ensures that POL handlers are checked semiannually for body contamination.

(6) Inspects POL facilities daily.

(7) Ensures that adequate supplies of aviation fuels, oils, and lubricants are on hand to meet

current and emergency operational requirements.

b. Shift Supervisors. Shift supervisors—

(1) Inspect POL facilities at least once during a shift.

(2) Supervise and train assigned personnel in their duties.

(3) Coordinate with other branches concerning VIPs and assigned and transient aircraft

refueling requirements.

c. Petroleum Storage Specialists. Petroleum storage specialists—

(1) Provide refueling and other related services for assigned and transient aircraft and

ensure that transient aviators complete DD Form 1898 (Avfuels Into–Plane Contract Sales Slip) for

credit card purchases.

FM 1–300

4–2

(2) Receive, store, and inspect all petroleum products delivered to the storage area.

(3) Perform operator maintenance on lines, tanks, pumps, and valves in the POL storage

area.

(4) Use the appropriate safety equipment specified in FM 10–68.

4–2. AIRCRAFT REFUELING (SERVICING)

Normally, refuelers (refueler vehicles) are used to refuel aircraft on the flight line. They should be

used when it is more practical to take the fuel to the aircraft than to bring the aircraft to the fuel.

Only in unusual circumstances would a refueler be used in rapid refueling because of the inherent

dangers of such an operation. FM 10–68 discusses the operating procedures to follow in such a case.

a. Driver Training.

(1) The drivers (operators) of refuelers may not have received formal training in the

specialized field of aircraft refueling. The commander should establish and maintain an operator

training program for these refueler drivers. The drivers should be thoroughly trained in the step–

by–step procedures in FM 10–68.

(2) Any accident involving fuel, an aircraft, or a refueler may result in fire. Only drivers

who have completed the appropriate training and demonstrated their ability to refuel aircraft

properly should be assigned to aircraft refueling operations. Driver qualification on all appropriate

vehicles used by the POL services branch should be noted on—

! DA Form 348 (Equipment Operator=s Qualification Record (Except Aircraft)) .

! OF 346 (US Government Motor Vehicle Operator=s Identification Card).

b. Preoperational Checks. Two types of preoperational checks are performed on refueling

vehicles. One type is the preoperational check on the vehicle as a vehicle; for example, checking the

inflation of the tires or the coolant level in the radiator. Checks of this type are outlined in the

technical manual for the vehicle. The other type of preoperational check is on the refueling portion

of the vehicle. FM 10–68 contains information on these checks.

(1) Daily.

(a) The driver of the tank truck will check the condition of the truck's electrical system

before operating the truck.

(b) The driver will perform the aqua glow test on the fuel being dispensed. He should

maintain a log noting the tank and pump unit from which the fuel was tested and the results of the

test.

(2) Quarterly. Personnel should check the fueling system of the refueler according to

FM 10–68. The maintenance check also should be done immediately when a nozzle strainer or a lab

report on a fuel sample indicates contamination or when filter–separator elements are installed.

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c. Personnel Refueling Requirements. Three persons should be present during the hot

refueling of an aircraft. One person operates the fuel nozzle, the second remains at the emergency

fuel shutoff valve, and the third mans a suitable fire extinguisher. The third person stands outside

the main rotor disk of the aircraft at a point where he can see both the pilot at the controls and the

refueler with the nozzle. This person may be from the forward arming and refueling point (FARP) or

one of the aircraft crewmembers. In a combat situation, mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time

available (METT–T) may override the availability of a third person to man the fire extinguisher.

Refueling personnel will not have matches, lighters, or other materials in their possession that could

produce a spark.

4–3. POL HANDLING AND SAFETY

The handling of petroleum products presents many hazards. However, both bulk and packaged

products can be safely handled if personnel understand their characteristics and take precautions.

During the receipt, storage, or issue of flammable and combustible petroleum products, personnel

must know and observe safety precautions. Table 4–1 shows the safety rules for transferring and

storing POL.

Table 4–1. Safety rules for transferring and storing POL

RULES

REMARKS

Bond and ground equipment.

For all petroleum operations, always bond and

ground equipment.

Avoid overhead filling.

If you cannot avoid overhead filling, put the end

of the filling line inside the tank so that the fuel

will be disturbed as little as possible.

Use walkways.

Always use walkways to cross tank firewalls.

Ventilate and clean vehicles and containers.

Collapsible tanks, railway tank cars, and tank

vehicles must be cleaned and ventilated as

prescribed in FM 10–20.

Observe safety rules when fueling aircraft.

Observe all safety precautions in FM 10–68.

Observe safety rules when loading or

transferring POL products.

Observe all safety precautions in FM 10–71.