KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
HIGH COMMISSION FOR INDUSTRIAL SECURITY

SAFETY AND FIRE PROTECTION DIRECTIVES

FOR INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES

SAF-16

Bulk Plants and Air

Fueling Support Facilities

Issue Date: 12/6II431H /2610512010

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All Rights reserved to HCIS. Copying or distribution prohibited without written permission from HCIS
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior ~I..ul 0;0)
High Commission for Industrial Security i f u l ..:r")u l,LJ1 4 1
Secretariat General .... WI ... L.':/1

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Administration
1.1 Scope 3
1.2 Application 3
1.3 Conflicts and Deviations 3
2 Definitions 4
3 References 5
4 General Requirements 6
4.1 Design 6
4.2 Loading and Unloading 6
4.3 Overfill Protection 8
4.4 Switch Loading Prevention 8
4.5 Fire Detection 9
4.6 Fire Protection 9
4.7 Storage Tanks 9
4.8 Safety Signs 10
4.9 Building Design 10
4.10 Power Generation 10
4.11 Security 10

Issue Date: 121611431H 12610512010

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior ~I..ul.j~)

High Commission for Industrial Security 1/l.:...aJ1 0")1.) t"LJ1 4 1

Secretariat General ~WI ~\...\l1

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

1. Administration
1.1 Scope
This Directive provides the mInImum requirements for companies and
establishments that are subject to the supervision of the High Commission for
Industrial Security (HCIS), Ministry of Interior, for the safety, location, layout,
design, and construction of bulk fuel plants and aviation airfield storage and
supply terminals. This Directive does not cover airfield fueling facilities or
operations.
1.2 Application
This Directive is applicable to all facilities, including new projects, the expansion
of existing facilities, and upgrades. For application to existing facilities, the
Owner shall assess his facilities against the requirements of these Directives and
coordinate with the General Secretariat of the HCIS to comply with the security,
safety, and fire protection requirements according to these Directives and add to
or modify the existing facilities as required. Where the General Secretariat of the
HCIS has assessed deficiencies in existing facilities during a survey, comparing
the current state of the facilities to the requirements of these Directives, those
identified deficiencies shall be corrected by the Owner.
1.3 Conflicts and Deviations
Where implementation of a requirement is unsuitable or impractical, where other
equivalent company or industry Standards and Codes are followed, or where any
conflict exists between this Directive and other company standards and Codes, the
deviations shall be resolved by the General Secretariat of the HCIS. Deviations
lower than the requirements of this Directive shall be listed and submitted in a
report of non-compliance, with justification and rationale for not following the
requirement, and approval shall be received from the General Secretariat of the
HCIS prior to implementation. The documents shall be retained by the company
in its permanent engineering files.

Issue Date: 12I6J143IH 12610512010

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior ~1...uIjG)

High Commission for Industrial Security </UI .:r-~ L,WI 4.:,,!1

Secretariat General a...WI ;VLo)'I

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

2. Definitions
Air Fueling Support Facilities: Bulk receiving and storage facilities associated
with supplying fuel to airports, not including airfield fueling facilities or
operations.
API: American Petroleum Institute, Website: http://api-ec.api.org/
Bottom Loading System: A system in which liquid products are loaded into a
truck tank through one or more connections in the bottom of the tank.
Bulk Plant: A facility, whose primary function is to receive and store refined
petroleum products in storage tanks for the primary purpose of distribution by
tank truck, rail tank car, and pipeline.
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration,
Website: http://www.faa.gov/ats/ata/ailindex.html
HCIS: High Commission for Industrial Security, Ministry ofInterior.
Listed: A device that is tested and certified by an independent testing lab to be
suitable for its purpose.
NFPA: National Fire Protection Association, Website: http://www.nfpa.org/
Owner: Person, partnership, or company that has possession of a facility or
establishment.
Shall: Indicates a mandatory requirement.
Should: Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.
Switch Loading: The practice of loading a low vapor pressure product into a
tank which previously contained a high or intermediate vapor pressure product,
resulting in a flammable atmosphere while loading the low vapor pressure
product. An example of switch loading is when a heavy fuel oil is loaded into a
tank that previously contained gasoline. This creates a potentially hazardous
condition, a flammable air-fuel mixture where static electricity may be
discharged. This type of contamination can happen even when the tank vehicle is
free from standing liquid from the previous load. See API RP 2003 and NFPA 77
for more information.

Issue Date: 12/611431H /2610512010

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior t.J..-1...u1 'j~J
High Commission for Industrial Security c/'"'-ll..:r'~ L,WI ~I

Secretariat General a..WI '.il. )l1

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

Top Loading System: A truck or rail car tank loading system in which liquid
products fill a road or rail vehicle tank via hoses or loading arms, through one or
more openings in the top of the tank. Top loading is used primarily for loading hot
asphalt, heavy fuel oil, and molten sulfur. Most truck loading and unloading
facilities in Saudi Arabia are bottom loading systems which reduce exposure of
employees and truck operators to vapors and helps reduce the fire hazard.

3. References
This directive adopts the latest edition of the references listed.
API RP 1004 Bottom Loading and Vapor Recoveryfor MC-306 Tank Motor Vehicles

API RP 1540 Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance ofAviation Fuelling

Facilities
API STD 1542 Identification Markings for Dedicated Aviation Fuel Manufacturing and
Distribution Facilities, Airport Storage and Mobile Fuelling Equipment
API STD 1595 Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of
Aviation Pre-Airfield Storage Terminals
API RP 2003 Protection Against Ignitions Arising Out Of Static, Lightening, And
Stray Currents
NFPA 10 Portable Fire Extinguishers

NFPA 15 Water Spray Fixed Systems

NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

NFPA 70 National Electrical Code

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code

NFPA 77 Static Electricity

NFPA 407 Aircraft Fuel Servicing

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior y>-1..u1050)
High Commission for Industrial Security </l:...4)1 ..:r'~ lJ,J1 4 1
Secretariat General .... Wl 4;t..~1

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

4. General Requirements
4.1 Design
4.1.1 Design and operation of air fueling facilities shall meet NFPA 30, NFPA 407,
API 1540, API 1542, API 1595, and this directive.
4.1.2 Design and operations of bottom loading/unloading systems for liquid tanker
vehicles shall meet API RP 1004 and the requirements of this directive. Tank
vehicle loading and unloading of LPG shall be via a closed system.
4.1.3 Connections for overfill protection and bonding cable sensors on the tank truck
shall be via a multiple-pin plug that is specifically designed for that purpose.
4.1.4 A vapor motion sensing interlock system shall be provided for each bay to
indicate that the vapor collection/disposal system is venting properly during
operation (no flow shall stop loading). The vapor collection/disposal leg of each
truck loading/unloading bay shall be vented individually.
4.1.5 Vehicle drive-away protection for bulk plant loading facilities shall be by drive-
away air-brake interlock and traffic light.
4.1.6 Vapor recovery, as described in API RP 1004, is not required by this directive
unless mandated by the local authority on environment protection.
4.1.7 Layout, access, and spacing of bulk plants, air fueling support facilities, and the
associated storage shall comply with SAF-3, Plant Buildings; SAF-6, Plant
Layout, Spacing, and Access; and SAF-8, Storage Tanks and Storage Vessels.
4.1.8 Traffic patterns for trucks shall be designed as one-way through traffic. Entrance
paths shall not cross exit paths. Counterflow lanes or mixed traffic patterns are
prohibited.
4.1.9 Electrical equipment, lighting, and wiring shall meet NFPA 70. All electrical
equipment shall be approved for the service and hazard in accordance with SAF-
12, Electrical Safety.
4.2 Loading and Unloading
4.2.1 Loading and unloading operations and facilities shall meet the requirements in
NFPA30.

Issue Date: 12/611431H /2610512010

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior t"L.:-1..u1 .j~J
High Commission for Industrial Security </\.:...4J1 ..:r'~ \"WI 4 1
Secretariat General .... Wl a; L,.)1 I

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

4.2.2 Loading systems shall be provided with drainage systems that meet SAF-5,
Industrial Drainage or other effective meanS to contain spills.
4.2.3 Tank car facilities where flammable and combustible liquids are loaded or
unloaded shall be protected against stray currents.
a) Bonding, grounding, and other types of protection against ignitions arising
out of static or stray electrical currents shall meet NFPA 30, API RP 2003,
and NFPA 77.
b) Static electricity charges can be created and stored in tanks during filling,
and in other locations of turbulent fuel flow because fuels are poor
conductors. Before loading tank vehicles, a bonding connection shall be
made to the vehicle or tank and shall remain in place until filling is
completed.
c) Where tank cars and tank vehicles are loaded through closed connections,
such as a conventional fuel truck loading arm designed for this purpose, no
separate bonding connection is required.
d) Fuel fill rates of liquids into tank car or tank truck shall be controlled,
providing a slow-flow start, intermediate increase to a maximum loading
rate, and final slow-flow loading during a normal loading cycle according to
API RP 2003. The slow-flow initial rate shall not exceed 1 meter per second
velocity in any part of the loading system until there is sufficient liquid level
to submerge the liquid fill pipe by two pipe diameters above the truck's inlet
nozzle. Maximum loading rate shall be limited to a velocity no greater than
7 meters per second in any part of the loading system as required by API RP
2003.
4.2.4 When offloading fuel from tank trucks, the following requirements shall be
followed.
a) The amount of fuel shall be measured in the tank truck and the storage tank
to ascertain that the storage tank will hold the quantity to be offloaded
without overflowing.
b) The tank truck hand brakes shall be applied to prevent the truck from
moving.

Issue Date: 12/6/1431H /2610512010

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior y..:.1..u1 .j~)

High Commission for Industrial Security 1/L.:...aJ1 .:r-~ l"LJ1 4 1

Secretariat General :i..oWI4.;t..)r1

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

c) The tank truck shall be safely discharged via a grounding connection prior
to starting offloading operations.
d) Offloading shall be conducted under the supervision of the tank truck driver
and with permission from the representative of the bulk plant or air fueling
support facility.
e) Loading/unloading arms or hoses shall be mounted so as not to trap the
operator between the arms during hookup. Parking couplings should be
provided when the arms/hoses are not in service.
4.3 Overfill Protection
When bottom loading a tank vehicle, a positive means shall be provided for
loading a predetermined quantity of liquid. In addition, a secondary automatic
shutoff control shall be provided to prevent overfill of the tank. The automatic
system shall also have a manual shutoff valve (or actuating button) located a safe
distance (at least 7.5 meters) from the loading nozzle to stop the flow.
4.4 Switch Loading Prevention
Tank vehicle filling operations shall be controlled in such a way as to prevent
switch loading (see definition above) and other special situations that can result in
flammable atmospheres where they would not be typically expected. See API RP
2003 and NFPA 77 for more information.

Issue Date: 12/6I143IH /26105/2010

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry ofInterior ~1.uI'j~J

High Commission for Industrial Security I/L:..,..jl ..:r-~ \"WI 4 1

Secretariat General .... Wl-.;t..)rl

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

4.5 Fire Detection

Fire detection shall be installed where tank vehicle loading is taking place. Fire
detection shall meet NFPA 72. Design, drawings, and installation shall be done by
professional engineering and design personnel who are qualified, experienced,
and specialized in fire protection and detection design.
4.6 Fire Protection
4.6.1 Fire protection shall be provided to meet SAF-4, Fire Protection Systems.
4.6.2 A fixed fire water spray system shall be provided at liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
vehicle loading lanes to keep a truck tank cool if a leak or fire should occur until
the source of fuel can be isolated. The fire water system shall be able to be turned
on manually or automatically via a fire detection system. Fixed water spray
systems shall meet NFP A 15.
4.6.3 For other combustible product loading facilities, a fixed foam-water spray system
shall be provided for loading tank vehicle lanes and the fixed island loading
equipment and piping. The foam-water system shall be actuated manually or
automatically via a fire detection system. Fixed foam-water fire protection
systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of
NFPA 16.
4.6.4 Design, drawings, and hydraulic calculations shall be designed and installed by
professional engineering and design personnel who are qualified, experienced,
and specialized in fire protection and detection design.
4.6.5 Listed portable fire extinguishers shall be provided for facilities in such quantities,
sizes, and types as could be needed for the special hazards of operation. Fuel
loading areas and associated facilities and buildings shall be provided with an
adequate number of fire extinguishers installed, inspected, and maintained to meet
NFPA 10.
4.7 Storage Tanks
Bulk plant and air fueling liquid storage tanks shall meet SAF-8, Storage Tanks
and Storage Vessels. For product storage tanks at air fueling terminals, elevated
tank withdrawal (floating suction) and downstream filtration shall be provided.

Issue Date: 12/6I1431H /26105/2010

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior t"I..:.l..u1 'j~J
High Commission for Industrial Security 1/L:..aJ1 .:r-~ l"W1 ~I
Secretariat General a..WI 4;\..)11

SAF-16 Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Support Facilities

4.8 Safety Signs

4.8.1 Warning signs shall be prominently displayed in Arabic and English prohibiting
smoking, use of mobile phones, or running of a vehicle engine while fueling.
4.8.2 Emergency telephone numbers shall be shall be prominently displayed in English
and Arabic.
4.9 Building Design
Buildings shall meet SAF-3, Plant Buildings.
4.10 Power Generation
A power generator engine, if provided, shall be spaced no less than 10 meters
from any fuel tank, pump, ventilation pipe opening or other potential source of
vapors.
4.11 Security
The Owners shall ensure that they provide an adequate level of security measures
to protect their facilities by applying the requirements of SEC-l and other security
directives issued by the HCIS.

Issue Date: 121611431H 12610512010

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