{"id":"F2005B02740","name":"CASA 478/98 - Directions under subregulation 235(7) – portable fire extinguishers for refuelling of aircraft","slug":"casa-478-98-directions-under-subregulation-235-7-portable-fire-extinguishers-for-refuelling-of-aircr","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":32930,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005B02740-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"CASA 478/98 - Directions under subregulation 235(7) – portable fire extinguishers for refuelling of aircraft","content":"INSTRUMENT NUMBER: CASA 478/98\n\nCIVIL AVIATION ACT 1988\n\nCIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988\n\nCIVIL AVIATION ORDERS\n\nDIRECTIONS UNDER SUBREGULATION 235 (7)\n\nI, DAVID ALAN VILLIERS, Acting General Manager, Airworthiness Branch, CASA, a delegate of CASA, issue the following directions under subregulation 235 (7) of the Civil Aviation Regulations.\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nPORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR REFUELLING OF AIRCRAFT\n\n1. The following portable fire extinguishers are of an approved type for the purposes of paragraph 4.4.4 of section 20.9 of the Civil Aviation Orders:\n\n(a) fire extinguishers of the powder extinguisher type that have a rating under Australian Standard (AS) 1940-1993 that is 2A/60B or higher, combined with a rating under that standard for dealing with electrical fires; and\n\n(b) fire extinguishers of the foam extinguisher type that have an AS 1940‑1993 rating that is 2A/20B or higher.\n\n2. The approved capacity of a fire extinguisher referred to above is a capacity that enables it to cover the maximum floor area that an extinguisher with its rating should cover in accordance with AS 1940-1993.\n\n\\[Signed David Villiers\\]\n\nDAVID VILLIERS\n\nActing General Manager\n\nAirworthiness\n\n16 December 1998","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The direction narrows implementation detail by specifying approved extinguisher types, minimum AS ratings and the capacity test method for refuelling operations; it does not expand or remove categories of regulated activity, but rather clarifies equipment standards to be used under the existing CAO paragraph referenced."},"complexity_factors":["Reference to an external technical standard (AS 1940‑1993) creates reliance on an external document for meaning and measurement (paras 1(a), 1(b), 2).","Two extinguisher types with distinct minimum ratings require suppliers/operators to match specific technical specifications (para 1(a)–(b)).","Capacity requirement is functional — 'cover the maximum floor area' — which requires an assessment against the AS rather than a single numeric capacity (para 2).","Authority and enforceability flow from a delegated CASA decision under subregulation 235(7); the instrument is prescriptive but narrow in scope (instrument heading and signature block).","Compliance burden concentrated on operators/refuellers who must purchase/verify compliant extinguishers and demonstrate coverage per the AS (paras 1–2)."],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA direction defines which portable fire extinguishers are approved for aircraft refuelling: powder extinguishers rated at least 2A/60B under AS 1940‑1993 with an electrical-fire rating, and foam extinguishers rated at least 2A/20B; capacity must cover the maximum floor area set by that standard. It applies to aircraft operators, refuelling personnel and suppliers who must buy, position and maintain equipment to these ratings; CASA (via a delegate) issues and enforces the requirement."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument remains tightly focused on its original purpose: specifying approved fire extinguisher types for aircraft refuelling. It has not expanded beyond this narrow technical safety specification."},"complexity_factors":["Very short instrument (only 2 operative paragraphs plus preamble)","No defined terms section - relies on external standard (AS 1940-1993)","Simple conditional structure (two alternative extinguisher types with minimum ratings)","Single cross-reference to Civil Aviation Orders (paragraph 4.4.4 of section 20.9)","No nested exceptions or complex logical operators"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety direction approves specific portable fire extinguishers for use during aircraft refuelling and requires operators, ground crews, airports and refuelling facilities to provide compliant equipment. \n\nIt sets minimum performance: powder extinguishers at least 2A/60B plus an electrical-fire rating, foam at least 2A/20B, and capacities meeting AS 1940-1993 floor-area requirements — ensuring consistent, effective fire protection where aviation fuel is handled."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/casa-478-98-directions-under-subregulation-235-7-portable-fire-extinguishers-for-refuelling-of-aircr","history":"/api/acts/casa-478-98-directions-under-subregulation-235-7-portable-fire-extinguishers-for-refuelling-of-aircr/history","analysis":"/api/acts/casa-478-98-directions-under-subregulation-235-7-portable-fire-extinguishers-for-refuelling-of-aircr/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/casa-478-98-directions-under-subregulation-235-7-portable-fire-extinguishers-for-refuelling-of-aircr/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/casa-478-98-directions-under-subregulation-235-7-portable-fire-extinguishers-for-refuelling-of-aircr/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/casa-478-98-directions-under-subregulation-235-7-portable-fire-extinguishers-for-refuelling-of-aircr/documents"}}