FIRE SAFETY

San Antonio City Code ch. 3, art. II, div. 6

in effect

San Antonio City Code § 3-113 Intent.

Sec. 3-113. - Intent. It is the intent of this division to prescribe regulations consistent with nationally recognized good practices for the safeguarding, to a reasonable degree, of life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances, materials, and devices. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-114 Scope.

Sec. 3-114. - Scope. The provisions of this division shall apply to existing conditions as well as to conditions arising after the adoption hereof. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-115 Authority of fire personnel to exercise powers of police officers.

Sec. 3-115. - Authority of fire personnel to exercise powers of police officers. The aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) coordinator and members of the ARFF Division shall have the powers of a police officer in performing their duties under this division. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-116 Right-of-entry.

Sec. 3-116. - Right-of-entry. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this division, or whenever the ARFF coordinator or his/her authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists on any premises on the airport any condition that makes such building or premises unsafe, the ARFF coordinator or his/her authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same; provided that, if such building or premises is occupied, he/she shall first present proper credentials and demand entry; and if such building or premises is unoccupied, he/she shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the lessee or other persons having charge of the building or premises and demand entry. If such entry is refused, the ARFF coordinator or his/her authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-117 Hazardous materials handling guidelines.

Sec. 3-117. - Hazardous materials handling guidelines. (a) Procedures, precautions, preventive maintenance, and emergency notification criteria outlined and discussed in detail in the publications listed below, which are adopted herein by reference, shall be adhered to in all fueling and maintenance operations using hazardous fluids, including the storage of such fluids. (b) All tenants, vendors, or individuals dispensing, placing, defueling, or otherwise handling fuel for aircraft or other flammables or hazardous materials on the airport shall do so at their own risk. They shall accept full responsibility for maintaining the proper standards of operation as described in this division 6, "Fire safety," and shall comply with the directives contained in the following list of publications listed in section 3-117 paragraph (c). (c) Prior to beginning or continuing any of the above activities, all tenants or vendors involved shall submit a fueling plan for the approval of the director. The aviation department will enforce all or part of the following publications as they apply to protecting against fire and explosions in storing, dispensing, and otherwise handling fuel, lubricants, and oxygen on the airport. These standards shall cover facilities, procedures, and personnel training and shall address at least: grounding and bonding; public protection; control of access to storage areas; fire safety in fuel farms and storage areas; and fire safety in mobile fuelers, fueling pits, and fueling cabinets. (1) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). a. NFPA 407—Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing, current edition. 1. Reference paragraph 4.3.22.2, 4.4.5.7, 4.5.9.3, and 4.6.9, are amended to read - with reference to signage. A. Emergency Fuel Shutoff sign - shall be made of metal and must be 24" x 24" with red background with 5" white reflective letters "EMERGENCY FUEL SHUTOFF". B. Push or Pull sign - shall be made of metal and must be 12" x 8" with red background with 4" white reflective letters "PUSH" or "PULL" as appropriate for said location. C. Emergency Instructions sign - shall be made of metal and must be 24" x 24" Top portion should have a 6" high red background with 2" white reflective letters "EMERGENCY INSTRUC- TIONS." The bottom portion shall have a white background 1" red reflective letters "1. USE EMERGENCY FUEL SHUTOFF, 2. TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT CALL 207-3433, 3. (Address of site) e.g. (411 Sandau Rd, Gate 183)" b. NFPA 410—Standard on Aircraft Maintenance, current edition. (2) American Petroleum Institute (API). a. API/IP RP 1540—Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Aviation Fueling Facilities. b. API/IP STD 1542—Identification Markings for Dedicated Aviation Fuel Manufacturing and Distribution Facilities, Airport Storage and Mobile Fuelling Equipment. c. API/IP SPEC 1581—Specifications and Qualification Procedures for Aviation Jet Fuel Filter/Separators. (3) Federal Aviation Administration. a. Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5230-4A or most current,—Standards and Procedures for Fuel Storage, Handling, and Dispensing. b. AC 20-43C—Aircraft Fuel Control as amended. (4) National Air Transportation Association. Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations. (5) International Fire Code, as adopted by the city with amendments, current edition. NOTE: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Petroleum Institute (API), International Fire Code (IFC) publications contain minimum standards which are used by the city of San Antonio aviation department which is the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The aviation department may impose more stringent standards. (d) Copies of the above publications shall be kept on permanent file as public records in the office of the director. Revised information made public by the above organizations or such other applicable regulations as may be promulgated from time to time shall be incorporated into this division and shall be adhered to by all concerned. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-118 User of volatile liquids.

Sec. 3-118. - User of volatile liquids. No person shall use flammable/combustible liquids in the cleaning of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or for any other purpose, unless such operations are conducted in an approved open air location, or in a room specifically set aside and approved in accordance with the International Fire Code, as adopted by the city with amendments (current edition) for that purpose. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-119 Dispensing fuels.

Sec. 3-119. - Dispensing fuels. (a) All aviation fuels will be dispensed on airport property by vendors holding a valid lease or agreement with the city that allows such operation except for an individual aircraft owner who transports and dispenses fuel into his/her own aircraft for his/her own private use, and who, by doing so, meets all requirements of the FAA, fire marshal and city codes, restrictions, and procedures. No company or individual may transport flammable liquids onto any aircraft area for the express purpose of sale on any portion of the property owned by the city without a valid agreement with the city. (b) Each fueling agent who allows an aircraft owner or any other person not employed by the fueling agent to fuel an aircraft on the airport shall provide a list of all such persons to the aviation department. The fueling agent shall be responsible for providing at least on-the-job training in fire safety for each of these individuals. The fueling agent shall, once yearly, update this list and provide to the director certification that each person allowed to use the fuel facility has had the training described above. (c) Refueling of an aircraft in a hangar is prohibited. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-120 Equipment maintenance.

Sec. 3-120. - Equipment maintenance. Fueling pumps, meters, hoses, nozzles, fire extinguishers, and grounding and/or bonding devices shall be kept in proper working condition at all times, and shall be subject to inspection by airport representatives at any time. All aircraft fuel service trucks shall have an approved dust cap attached to each nozzle, or other type of configuration to ensure that no dust or debris is allowed to enter the nozzle end. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-121 Malfunction of refueling equipment.

Sec. 3-121. - Malfunction of refueling equipment. (a) When malfunction of refueling equipment is detected, all refueling shall cease immediately and the fueling equipment is to be placed out of service until the malfunction is remedied. Tanks, pipes, hoses, valves and other fuel delivery equipment shall be maintained leak free at all times. (b) Any malfunctions or irregularity detected on or within the aircraft being serviced shall be brought to the attention of the aircraft owner or operator immediately. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-122 Fuel spill.

Sec. 3-122. - Fuel spill. (a) Crews engaged in the fueling and defueling of aircraft, the filling of dispensing equipment, or in any manner working with aviation fuels shall exercise extreme caution to prevent spills. When spills occur, servicing shall cease and spills shall be removed or absorbed with suitable material. Any spill occurring during the fueling process shall be the responsibility of the person or agent performing the fueling act to remediate. If the fuel spill occurs after the fueling agent has left the scene, the aircraft owner or the entity or individual charged with responsibility for the aircraft shall immediately begin clean up and call for the fueling agent to return to assist. A fuel spill occurring during some type of aircraft maintenance, when no fueling has occurred, shall be the sole responsibility of the aircraft owner or the entity or individual charged with responsibility for the aircraft to remediate. Proper notification as required in these rules shall be initiated at all times. (b) The airport operations division shall be notified by the fueling agent of all fuel spills regardless of the size of the spill. (c) The ARFF Division shall be notified if a spill is over ten (10) feet in any dimension or over fifty (50) square feet in area; continues to flow; is suspected of entering a storm drain, sewer, or waterway; or is otherwise a hazard to persons or property. (d) Each fueling agent shall carry on each fuel vehicle at least two (2) bags of approved absorbent material and an approved device for damming or excluding fuel from entering a drain. (e) No aircraft engine may be started when any volatile liquid is on the ground under such aircraft. (f) No one is to walk or drive through any fuel spill. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-123 Positioning of fueling vehicles.

Sec. 3-123. - Positioning of fueling vehicles. (a) During refueling or defueling, fuel-handling vehicles shall be placed so as to be readily removable in the event of fire and to permit direct driving away from the loading or fueling position. Not more than one (1) refueler shall be positioned to refuel each wing of an aircraft, and not more than two (2) refuelers shall be positioned to serve the same aircraft. When high-capacity aircraft are refueled, additional refuelers shall not be parked or positioned within one hundred (100) feet from the aircraft served and then only in areas approved by the director. (b) Staging of fuel-handling equipment before and after fueling shall be in those areas authorized by the director. (c) When not conducting refueling operations, aircraft fuel servicing tank vehicles shall be parked so that a minimum of ten (10) feet of clear space is maintained between them and other aircraft fuel servicing tank vehicles on both sides and on the front and rear for accessibility for fire control purposes. This includes vehicles waiting in line to be filled. (d) Aircraft fuel servicing tank vehicles shall be parked a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any parked aircraft and building other than maintenance facilities and garages for fuel servicing tank vehicles. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-124 Airborne radar operation.

Sec. 3-124. - Airborne radar operation. No airborne radar equipment shall be operated or ground tested in any area wherein the directional beam of high-intensity radar is within three hundred (300) feet or low-intensity radar (less than fifty (50) kilowatts output) is within one hundred (100) feet of another aircraft, an aircraft refueling truck, or aircraft fuel or flammable liquid storage facility. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-125 Fire extinguisher requirements.

Sec. 3-125. - Fire extinguisher requirements. (a) Aircraft fueling vehicle loading stations shall have no less than two (2) 20-B portable fire extinguishers located within seventy-five (75) feet of hose connections, pumps and separator tanks. Multipurpose (ABC) extinguishers will not be allowed in the area of any aircraft fueling operation. (b) Aircraft fuel servicing tank vehicles shall be equipped with a minimum of two (2) listed portable fire extinguishers, each having a minimum rating of 20-B:C. A portable fire extinguisher shall be readily accessible from either side of the vehicle. (c) Portable fire extinguishers at fuel dispensing stations shall be located such that pumps or dispensers are not more than seventy-five (75) feet from one such extinguisher. Fire extinguishers shall be provided as follows: (1) Where the open-hose discharge capacity of the fueling system is not more than two hundred (200) gallons per minute, a minimum of two (2) listed portable fire extinguishers having a minimum rating of 20-B:C shall be provided. (2) Where the open-hose discharge capacity of the fueling system is more than two hundred (200) gallons per minute, but not more than three hundred fifty (350) gallons per minute, a minimum of one (1) listed wheeled extinguisher having a minimum extinguishing rating of 80-B:C and a minimum agent capacity of one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds shall be provided. (3) Where the open-hose discharge capacity of the fueling system is more than three hundred fifty (350) gallons per minute, a minimum of two (2) listed wheeled extinguishers having a minimum rating of 80-B:C each and a minimum capacity agent of one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds each shall be provided. (d) At San Antonio International Airport, ramp operations shall have at least one (1) wheeled extinguisher with a minimum listed rating of 80-B provided at each gate or stand or at intervals of two hundred (200) feet along the length of aircraft ramps. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-126 Fuel handling vehicle marking.

Sec. 3-126. - Fuel handling vehicle marking. (a) Each fuel handling vehicle shall have a sign on each side and the rear to identify the product. The sign shall have letters at least three (3) inches high and shall be of a color contrasting sharply with the sign background for visibility. The word "FLAMMABLE" and the name of the product carried, such as "JET A," "JET B," "GASOLINE," or "AVGAS," shall appear on the sign. (b) In the cab of each fuel handling vehicle, the name of the product carried shall be prominently displayed in three-inch letters or larger. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-127 Storage of flammable substances.

Sec. 3-127. - Storage of flammable substances. (a) Gasoline, oil, waste fuel, and solvent drums or receptacles shall not be stored on apron and ramp areas in excess of amounts actually needed as current stock. Any material of this type that is kept on airport areas shall be kept enclosed and covered in a clearly marked and labeled housing of a design and type that meet requirements of the regulations included in division 6, "Fire safety," or other such regulations as may be promulgated from time to time. Each drum or container shall be labeled in letters at least three (3) inches high with "No Smoking," "Flammable," and the tenant's name. Drums shall be stored on a spill pallet or by some other means, approved by the aviation department, of containing any potential spill of the largest amount anticipated. Enough absorbent material to remediate a spill of the largest amount of fuel on hand shall be kept readily accessible to any such flammable liquids storage area. No such flammable liquids storage area shall be inside any building unless in an approved explosion proof flammable liquids storage room or closet. (b) No cylinders or flasks of compressed flammable gases shall be stored in hangars. (c) No person shall store, handle, or transport Class A, Class B or Class C flammable and/or combustible material(s) upon the airport without prior approval from the director. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-128 No volatile solvents on floors.

Sec. 3-128. - No volatile solvents on floors. Floors shall be kept clean and free from oil. The use of volatile flammable solvents for cleaning floors is prohibited. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-129 Disposal of volatile substances.

Sec. 3-129. - Disposal of volatile substances. No fuels, oils, dopes, paints, solvents, or acids shall be disposed of or dumped in drains, on the ramp areas, catch basins or ditches, or elsewhere on the airport. When drip pans are used to contain leaks from aircraft engines, the contents must be disposed of in a manner so as not to contaminate these areas. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH3AI_ARTIISAANINAISTMUAIRURE_DIV6FISAFetched: 10/27/2026