On April 29, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 77, which directs many public use airports to require Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) to develop and document formal management plans for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The bill applies to all public-use airports in Florida at which Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) deliver aviation fuel treated on site with fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII) and that utilize DEF in mobile refuelers or GSE. At this time, we believe Governor DeSantis will sign the bill into state law.
Specifically, the bill requires affected airport sponsors to require FBOs to develop a DEF Safety Mitigation & Exclusion Plan containing the following minimum components:
- DEF & FSII inventory process
- Designation of DEF & FSII storage areas and areas where DEF may be added to vehicles
- Implementation of “best practices” for management of DEF and FSII
- Training for employees on DEF & FSII storage and handling
- Description of “physical security features” to secure FSII fill points
The affected airport must make required DEF Safety Mitigation & Exclusion Plans available for inspection by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) by January 1, 2022. Additionally, House Bill 77 requires FDOT to convene a working group to develop uniform industry standard based upon the NATA Safety 1st DEF Contamination Prevention Operational Best Practice (OBP) by November 1, 2021.
The National Air Transportation Association is a leader in DEF mitigation standards and training with the establishment of Safety 1st OBP 36-DEF Handling and Contamination Prevention and Safety 1st training for the prevention of misfuelling and DEF contamination incidents, which many of our members have already adopted. NATA will continue to provide guidance to our members to ensure compliance ahead of the effective deadline to assist our Florida members through the plan development process.
NATA would like to hear your feedback and questions regarding compliance with House Bill 77; please submit them to safety1st@nata.aero.