Handling precautions for static accumulating liquids need not be followed for properly inerted cargo tanks.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not applicable
• D. Depends

Answer: (B)

Properly inerted cargo tanks reduce the amount of oxygen in the tank’s headspace, which means there isn’t enough oxidizer to support a flame if a static discharge occurs. With the inert atmosphere in place and maintained, the spark from static electricity is far less likely to ignite flammable vapors, so the usual static-accumulation handling precautions aren’t required in the same way as with an air-filled tank. That said, the inerting system must stay intact and there must be no air leaks; if oxygen can return to the tank, the static precautions regain their importance.