Forum: F-16 Procedures

So here's something I never understood.... If a F-16 has an EPU activation aren't the Mx guys on the ground (i.e Chiefs, Weapons, Specs) going to be the ones at most risk? After all they don't have protective suits. So why don't they get hazard pay too? I have heard people say that once it is burned that the EPU exhaust isn't as dangerous a before it is burned. I never cared if it was burnt or not .....All I know is the fear of death is driven into every maintainers head when it comes to H70 so all I ever knew was to stay the hell away from it! I have been on the line during a few EPU activations but never directly involved (i.e. 2 jets down ) and Thank god I never smelt any amonia, almonds, or any other odor people use to desribe it. Is that just a rumor with the burnt H70 compared to the preburnt h70?

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specs343579 wrote:

So here's something I never understood.... If a F-16 has an EPU activation aren't the Mx guys on the ground (i.e Chiefs, Weapons, Specs) going to be the ones at most risk? After all they don't have protective suits. So why don't they get hazard pay too? I have heard people say that once it is burned that the EPU exhaust isn't as dangerous a before it is burned. I never cared if it was burnt or not .....All I know is the fear of death is driven into every maintainers head when it comes to H70 so all I ever knew was to stay the hell away from it! I have been on the line during a few EPU activations but never directly involved (i.e. 2 jets down ) and Thank god I never smelt any amonia, almonds, or any other odor people use to desribe it. Is that just a rumor with the burnt H70 compared to the preburnt h70?

The reason why Fuel shoppers get H-70 pay is because we service H-70. Not just because we change the tank but we actually refuel/ defuel and clean up the nasty stuff if it spills.....do CC, weapons or specs do that.....no they don't.

Just walking into the H-70 plant takes an automatic 9 years off of your life. The unburned zine is far more hazardous to your health. They say if you smell ammonia to "run". We say "If you smell ammonia, its too late."

Cali.....I totally agree with what you are saying! I'm just saying line guys should get hazard pay too because if a H70 tank is leaking then the line guys are the ones that are going to notify fuel guys to get out there and clean it up. But I guess the long term cost of paying for the few unfortunate line guys who have run-ins with H70 is cheaper than having to pay everyone on the line $150

Well spec242579 I guess you can try to talk to the AF about that. But you and I know that's not going to happen. Can you image how much money that would be?

If you wear all of the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) correctly, you (as a Fuel Shopper) should never be exposed to H-70 regardless of whether you are responding to an incident or servicing the tank. You get paid the extra $150 so that if you were to get exposed and if you later come down with problems that are directly related to that exposure you have already been compensated and wont get a thing from the government!.

Active Member Joined: Apr 08, 2004 - 10:40 PM Posts: 203

Hitch44 wrote:

Only the Fire dept would know how bad it is in those suits!! Would you know how to locate a base that offers Hydrazine Tank Servicing FTD, filling the H-70 Tanks? Thanks!

Luke AFB

Hello. I'm the "newbie". With response to Cali's question, "... why guys on the ground do not receive Haz Duty [Link pending approval];. If the pilot does have an EPU activation, as you probably already know, the only people that will greet him up close and personal will be the Hydrazine Response Team and the Fire Department. We'll all be in our protective gear and will depressurize the system prior to tow to the lonely location where only fuels/HRT will be authorized for the disconnect and purge. I did respond to one aircraft leaking in a bay that two innocent MX bystanders got a good whiff of and called it in. Sadly they were exposed because of a failed fuel QD. I really haven't hear of that happening much. Unless your fuel shoppers are lazy with no regard for the lives of others there should be little to no risk for the rest of the maintainers out there on a day to day basis. And we do have to service the bottles; not fun. Hope this helps. Wink

My apologies [Link pending approval] I ment my response for Specs343579.

theres always the bleed air modes that go bad and fire offor my personal favorite, pilot induced firing during launch. now why flightliners wont get hazardous duty pay... its all about the money.
later

Forum: F-16 Procedures

Hydrazine response exercises