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Setting up a service station from A to Z

After a contract is signed to set up a fueling station on an airfield, it takes a lot of steps to get the station built and then commissioned. A project like this mobilises TotalEnergies​ sales and engineering teams for an average of 9 months alongside their service providers, to deliver a secure, fully-compliant and functional installation

Setting up an aviation fueling station, step by step

1. Preliminary design This is the technical engineering phase, which is based on a number of criteria and produces the design drawings, budget estimate and the construction schedule: > target storage capacity (between 50 and 150 m3 for general aviation) > type of delivery system (the size of the aircraft determines the required flow rate) > type of fuel delivered (AVGAS UL 91, AVGAS 100LL or JET A-1) > red tape (fueling stations are facilities classified for environmental protection) and are therefore subject to operating permits > international standards such as the Total and JIG standards 2. Discussions with the client 3. Choosing the best option 4. Final design Extremely precise engineering work is done on the option chosen by the client and the final plans are prepared. On-site diagnostics makes it possible to determine all the technical constraints involved. 5. Bidding documents Once the final design has been validated, Total draws up technical specifications to select the service providers who’ll be working on the site. 6. Calls for tenders Service providers submit their bids. The bids are examined and the best are selected. 7. The construction phase Work can now begin! - administrative disclosures and obtaining permits and authorisations - excavating (digging a hole for the tank) - concrete casting to ballast the tank and lay the slab > pipework. Qualified welders use only stainless-steel that doesn't affect fuel quality. - installing the dispensing device - electrification (lighting, leak and hydrocarbon detectors, plus self-service pump, as needed) - roadworks (building access routes to the station) 8. Testing - flushing (fuel is pumped through the pipework) and impregnation (fuel is kept in the tank for a week) - sampling: fuel is sampled and sent to the laboratory for analysis. This step is essential to check that it has not been altered in any way. - simulating a top-off - testing lighting and alarms 9. Commissioning 10. On-site acceptance The teams visit the airfield 1 to 3 months later to identify any anomalies and correct them. 11. The station is now considered to be in service.

 

 

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