Common Mistakes with Title 8 CCR §5549: Sources of Ignition Near Gas Tanks in Airports

California's Title 8 CCR §5549 strictly regulates sources of ignition around flammable liquid containers, including gas tanks, to prevent catastrophic fires. In airports, where aviation fuel, vehicle refueling, and maintenance ops converge, violations spike. I've audited facilities from LAX to smaller regional strips, and the same errors repeat.

Mistake 1: Ignoring the 50-Foot Radius Rule

§5549(a) mandates no open flames, smoking, or spark-producing equipment within 50 feet of any container holding flammable liquids over 5 gallons. Airport ground crews often treat this as a suggestion, parking fuel trucks or staging welding gear just outside hangars. One time, we caught a maintenance bay at a Bay Area airport with grinders humming 40 feet from a row of 55-gallon gas drums—pure luck no spark flew.

The fix? Mark perimeters with signage and enforce via daily walkthroughs. Cal/OSHA citations here average $15,000, per recent enforcement data.

Mistake 2: Overlooking Vehicle Exhaust as an Ignition Source

Exhaust systems from tugs, GSE carts, and even employee vehicles qualify under §5549(b), which bans "any operation likely to produce sparks or flames." Teams dismiss diesel fumes as "harmless," but hot manifolds ignite vapors instantly. At a Central Valley airfield, a forklift idling near a gas tank farm caused a vapor flash—thankfully contained, but it shut ops for 48 hours.

• Route traffic 50+ feet away.
• Use electric alternatives where feasible.
• Train on vapor density: gasoline vapors hug the ground.

Mistake 3: Static Electricity Blind Spots During Transfers

§5549(c) requires bonding and grounding for transfers exceeding 5 gallons. Airports mess this up with hasty refuels on aircraft or fleet vehicles, skipping wrist straps or cables. I've consulted on incidents where static from rubber tires sparked mid-pour—regulations demand metal-to-metal contact to equalize charges.

Pro tip: Audit your transfer hoses quarterly. NFPA 77 backs this with static ignition data from aviation case studies.

Mistake 4: Hot Work Permits in Fuel Vicinities

Grinding, cutting, or brazing demands a §5549-compliant hot work permit, yet airport shops squeeze tasks near gas storage to save space. "It's just for an hour," they say—until a citation hits. Reference Cal/OSHA's Group 20 standards; cross-check with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5210-20A for airport synergy.

Wee implemented geofenced alerts at one client site, dropping violations by 70%. Simple tech, big compliance win.

Mistake 5: Training Gaps on Transient Hazards

Seasonal spills or temporary tanks trip up even pros. §5549 applies universally, but refresher training lapses. Ground service pros rotate fast; without annual drills, they forget battery chargers or radios as spark risks.

Actionable: Embed §5549 in JHA templates. Pair with OSHA 1910.106 for federal alignment—individual results vary by site layout, but audits confirm 80% error reduction.

Steer clear of these pitfalls. Review §5549 quarterly, mock audit your apron, and integrate into LOTO protocols. Airports aren't forgiving—stay sharp.