Joint Inspection Group

Product Specifications

Bulletin No. 51

May 2012
Issue 26 4th May 2012
Supersedes Issue 25 May 2011

AVIATION FUEL QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR

JOINTLY OPERATED SYSTEMS
(AFQRJOS)
This document has the agreement of: BP, Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, Kuwait Petroleum, Shell,
Statoil, and Total. It defines the fuel quality requirements for supply into Jointly Operated Fuelling
Systems.
The Aviation Fuel Quality Requirements for Jointly Operated Systems (AFQRJOS) for
Jet A-1 embodies the most stringent requirements of the following two specifications:
(a)

British Ministry of Defence Standard DEF STAN 91-91/Issue 7 Amendment 1, 16

December, 2011 for Turbine Fuel, Kerosene Type, Jet A-1, NATO Code F-35, Joint
Service Designation: AVTUR.

(b)

ASTM Standard Specification D 1655-11b for Aviation Turbine Fuels "Jet A-1".

Jet fuel that meets the AFQRJOS is usually referred to as "Jet A-1 to Check List" or "Check List Jet
A-1" and, by definition, generally, meets the requirements of both of the above specifications.
The main table requirements in IATA Guidance Material for Aviation Turbine Fuels Specifications
(GM) are no longer part of the Check List because Part I of the IATA GM is now a guide to
specifications rather than a specification itself. However, the water and dirt limits for fuel at the point
of delivery into aircraft, which are embodied in Part III of the IATA GM, remain part of Check List.
The Aviation Fuel Quality Requirements for Jointly Operated Systems for Jet A-1 are defined in the
following table, which should be read in conjunction with the Notes that follow the table. The Notes
highlight some of the main issues concerning the specification parameters.
Conformance to AFQRJOS requires conformance to the detail of both specifications listed above, not
just the following table. See Note 22 for guidance on statements declaring conformance to these
specifications.
Also, it should be specifically noted that DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1 requires traceability of
product to point of manufacture and requirements applicable to fuels containing synthetic or
renewable components. See Annexes J and D of DEFSTAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1 for more
information.

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Joint Inspection Group

Product Specifications

Bulletin No. 51

May 2012

Issue 26 4th May 2012

Supersedes Issue 25 May 2011

JOINT FUELLING SYSTEM CHECK LIST FOR JET A-1

Embodying the most stringent requirements in the following specifications for the grade shown:
(a) British MoD DEF STAN 91-91/Issue 7, Amendment 1, dated 16 December 2011, Jet A-1.
(b) ASTM D 1655 11b, Jet A-1.
PROPERTY

LIMITS
IP

APPEARANCE
Visual appearance

Report
max

Particulate, cumulative channel particle counts,

ISO Code & Individual Channel Counts
4 m(c)
6 m(c)
14 m(c)
21 m(c)
25 m(c)
30 m(c)
COMPOSITION
Total Acidity, mg KOH/g
Aromatics, % v/v.
OR Total Aromatics, % v/v
Sulphur, Total, % m/m
Sulphur, Mercaptan, % m/m
OR Doctor Test

FLUIDITY
Freezing Point, C
Viscosity at -20C, mm2/s(cSt)
COMBUSTION
Specific Energy, net, MJ/kg
Smoke Point, mm
OR
Smoke Point, mm
AND Naphthalenes, % vol.
CORROSION
Corrosion, Copper strip, classification
(2 hours +/- 5 min. at 100 C +/- 1C)
STABILITY
Thermal Stability (JFTOT)
Control temperature, C
Filter Pressure Differential, mm Hg
Tube Deposit Rating (Visual)

1.0

D 156 or D 6045
423

D 5452

564 or 565 or
577

See Note 1
See Note 2
See Note 3

Report
Report
Report
Report
Report
Report
See Note 4 and 5

max
max
max
max
max

Refinery Components at point of manufacture:

Non Hydroprocessed Components, %v/v
Mildly Hydroprocessed Components, % v/v
Severely Hydroprocessed Components, % v/v
Synthetic Components, %v/v
VOLATILITY
Distillation
Initial Boiling Point, C
Fuel Recovered
10% v/v at C
50% v/v at C
90% v/v at C
End Point, C
Residue, % v/v
Loss, % v/v
Flash Point, C
Density at 15C, kg/m

REMARKS

Clear, bright and visually free

from solid matter and un-dissolved
water at ambient fuel temperature

Colour
Particulate contamination mg/L

TEST METHOD
ASTM

0.015
25.0
26.5
0.30
0.0030
Negative

354
156
436
336
342
30

D 3242
D 1319
D 6379
D 1266 or D 2622
D 3227
D 4952

max
max
max
min

See Note 4 for limits for synthetic

components
123

D 86

205.0
Report
Report
300.0
1.5
1.5
38.0
775.0 min to 840.0 max

170 or 523
160 or 365

D 56 or D 3828
D 1298 or D 4052

D 2386 or
D 5972 or D 7153
or D 7154
D 445

max

- 47.0

max

8.000

16 or
435 or 528
or 529
71

min
min

42.80
25.0

12 or 355
57

D 3338 or D 4809
D 1322

min
max

19.0
3.00

57

D 1322
D 1840

max

154

D 130

323

D 3241

min
max

260
25
Less than 3, no 'Peacock' or
'Abnormal' colour deposits

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See Note 7
See Note 8

Report (incl. 'nil' or '100%)

Report (incl. 'nil' or '100%)
Report (incl. nil or 100%)
Report (incl. nil or 50%)

Report
max

See Note 6
or D 4294 or D 5453

See Note 9
Or IP 406 or D 2887,
see Note 10

See Note 11

See Note 12

See Note 13

See Note 14

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Product Specifications

Bulletin No. 51

CONTAMINANTS
Existent Gum, mg/100ml
Microseparometer (MSEP), rating
Fuel with Static Dissipator Additive
OR
Fuel without Static Dissipator Additive

May 2012

max

min

70

min

85

CONDUCTIVITY
Electrical Conductivity, pS/m
LUBRICITY
BOCLE wear scar diameter, mm

50 min to 600 max

max

0.85

540

274

D 381
D 3948

See Note 15

D 2624

See Note 16

D 5001

See Note 17

ADDITIVES (Names and approval code from DEFSTAN 91-91/7 should be quoted on quality certificates).
Antioxidant, mg/l
in hydroprocessed & synthetic fuels (Mandatory)
in non-hydroprocessed fuels (Optional)
max

17.0 min to 24.0 max

24.0

See Note 18

Metal Deactivator, mg/l (Optional) *

max
First Doping
Cumulative concentration after field re-doping

2.0
5.7

See Note 19

Static Dissipator, mg/l *

max
First Doping
Cumulative concentration after field re-doping

3.0
5.0

Antioxidants are mandatory in hydroprocessed fuels and synthetic fuels and must be added
immediately after hydroprocessing or synthesising and prior to the product or component being
passed into storage in order to prevent peroxidation and gum formation after manufacture
Fuel System Icing Inhibitor is not permitted unless agreed by all the participants in a joint system
(see also Note 20).
Corrosion Inhibitor/Lubricity Improver (CI/LI) additive may be added to the fuel without prior
consent of the joint system participants (see also Note 17)

The types and concentrations of all additives used are to be shown on the
original Certificates of Quality and on all other quality documents when they
are added downstream of the point of manufacture. When additives are
diluted (with hydrocarbon solvent only) to improve handling properties prior to
addition, it is the concentration of active ingredient that shall be reported.
See Annex A of DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1 for detailed advice.
See Note 21 about requirements for management of change in refineries.
* When the original dosage of additives is unknown, it has to be assumed
that first doping was applied at maximum dose rate.

Main Table Notes

1.

The requirement to report Saybolt Colour shall apply at point of manufacture, thus enabling a
colour change in distribution to be quantified. Where the colour of the fuel precludes the use of
the Saybolt Colour test method, then the visual colour shall be reported. Unusual or atypical
colours should also be noted and investigated. For further information on the significance of
colour see Annex E in DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1.

2.

This limit shall apply at point of manufacture only. For more information on particulate
contamination refer to Annex F of DEF STAN 91-91 Issue 7 Amendment 1. For guidance on
contamination limits for into-plane fuelling refer to 5th Edition IATA Guidance Material (Part III).

3.

This requirement shall apply at point of manufacture only. Both the number of particles and the
number of particles as a scale number as defined by Table 1 of ISO 4406:1999 shall be
reported. It is the Specification Authoritys intention to replace the gravimetric Millipore test with
Particle Counting at the earliest opportunity.

4.

Attention is drawn to DEF STAN 91-91 Issue 7 Amendment 1, which approves both SemiSynthetic and Fully Synthetic Jet Fuel produced by SASOL. It also approves two generic
components, a) up to 50% of Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosine certified as meeting the

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Bulletin No. 51

Product Specifications
May 2012

requirements of ASTM D7566 Annex A1 and b) up to 50% Hydrogenated Esters and Fatty
Acids certified as meeting the requirements of ASTM D 7566 Annex A2. For these fuels,
additional testing requirements apply and reference should be made to DEF STAN 91-91/7
Amendment 1 Annex D. These particular semi- and fully synthetic fuels can be certified against
this Issue of Check List. The volume percentage of each synthetic blending component shall
be recorded along with its corresponding release Specification and Annex number, product
originator and originators Certificate of Quality number. From the point of manufacture to the
point of blending to meet this specification, the synthetic component shall be handled,
transported and documented in the same manner as finished jet fuel in order to maintain
product integrity. Special care shall be taken to ensure homogeneity when blending semisynthetic jet fuel, particularly where the component densities are significantly different. See
also Note 10 in DEF STAN 91/91/7 Amendment 1 on minimum aromatic content.
5.

Concentrations of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) greater than or equal to 5.0 mg/kg are not
acceptable. See section 5.6 and Annex G of DEFSTAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1 for details

6.

Round robin testing has demonstrated the correlation between total aromatics content
measured by IP 156/ASTM D 1319 and IP 436/ASTM D 6379. Bias between the two methods
necessitates different equivalence limits as shown. Testing laboratories are encouraged to
measure and report total aromatics content by the two methods to assist verification of the
correlation. In cases of dispute IP 156 / ASTM D 1319 will be the referee method. It is the
intention of the DEF STAN 91/91 Technical Authority to change the referee method to IP 436 at
a later date.

7.

The Doctor Test is an alternative requirement to the Sulphur Mercaptan Content. In the event
of conflict between the Sulphur Mercaptan and Doctor Test results, the Sulphur Mercaptan
result shall prevail.

8.

The need to report the %v/v of non hydroprocessed, mildly hydroprocessed, severely
hydroprocessed and synthetic components (including "nil", 50% or "100%" as appropriate) on
refinery Certificates of Quality for Jet A-1 to Check List derives from DEF STAN 91-91/7
Amendment 1.
Each refinery component used in the make up of the batch shall be reported on the certificate
of quality as a percentage by volume of the total fuel in the batch. Mildly hydroprocessed
components are defined as those petroleum derived hydrocarbons that have been subjected to
a hydrogen partial pressure of less than 7000 kPa (70 bar or 1015 psi) during manufacture.
Severely hydroprocessed components are defined as those petroleum derived hydrocarbons
that have been subjected to a hydrogen partial pressure of greater than 7000 kPa (70 bar or
1015 psi) during manufacture. The total of non-hydroprocessed plus mildly hydroprocessed
plus severely hydroprocessed plus synthetic components shall equal 100%.

9.

In methods IP 123 and ASTM D 86 all fuels certified to this specification shall be classed as
group 4, with a condenser temperature of zero to 4C.

10.

If IP 406 or ASTM D 2887 are used to produce IP123 equivalent or ASTM D 86 correlated data,
there is no requirement to report residue or loss.

11.

Subject to a minimum of 40C, results obtained by method ASTM D 56 (Tag) may be accepted.
The referee test method is IP 170.

12.

These automatic methods are permitted; IP 16/ASTM D 2386 remains the referee method.

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Product Specifications

Bulletin No. 51

May 2012

13.

ASTM D 4529/IP 381 may be used where local regulations permit.

14.

Examination of the heater tube to determine the Visual Tube Rating using the Visual Tuberator
shall be carried out within 120 minutes of completion of the test. It is the Visual Method that
should be reported. Attention is drawn to Note 15 in DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1, which
stresses that only approved heater tubes shall be used and lists heater tubes from PAC-Alcor
and Falex as being technically suitable.

15.

Attention is drawn to Note 17 of DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1 that states "Where SDA is
added at point of manufacture the MSEP limit of 70 shall apply. No precision data are available
for fuels containing SDA; if MSEP testing is carried out during downstream distribution, no
specification limits apply and the results are not to be used as the sole reason for rejection of a
fuel. A protocol giving guidelines on possible actions to be taken following failed MSEP testing
can be found in the Joint Inspection Group's Bulletin Number 14, MSEP Protocol at
www.jointinspectiongroup.org under Fuel Quality'". Where SDA is added downstream of point
of manufacture, it is acknowledged that MSEP results may be less than 70.

16.

Due to the requirements of DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1, conductivity limits are
mandatory for product to meet this specification. However it is acknowledged that in some
manufacturing and distribution systems it is more practical to inject SDA further downstream.
In such cases, the Certificate of Quality for the batch should be annotated thus: Product meets
the requirements of AFQRJOS Check List 26 except for electrical conductivity. In some
situations, the conductivity can decrease rapidly and the fuel can fail to respond to additional
dosing with Stadis 450. In such cases, fuel may be released with conductivity down to a
minimum of 25pS/m provided that the fuel is fully tested against the specification and the Tank
Release Note is annotated with the explanation Product released below 50pS/m due to
conductivity loss as per Annex H of DEFSTAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1

17.

This requirement comes from DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1. The requirement to determine
lubricity applies only to fuels whose composition is made up of a) at least 20% of severely
hydroprocessed components and less than 5% of non-hydroprocessed components or b)
includes synthetised fuel components. The limit applies only at the point of manufacture. For
important advisory information on the lubricity of aviation turbine fuels see Annex B of DEF
STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1. CI/LI additive (also known as LIA) may be used to improve
lubricity; only those additives listed in Table 2 of ASTM D1655-11b/ Annex A of DEFSTAN 9191/7 Amendment 1 are permitted. Note that two additional additives have been added to the
list in DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1. Refer also to Appendix A.5 of DEF STAN 91-91/7
Amendment 1 for advice on point of addition. When injecting CI/LI downstream of point of
manufacture, care must be taken to ensure that maximum dose rates are not exceeded.

18.

Approved antioxidant additives are listed in Annex A.2.4 of DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1,
together with the appropriate RDE/A/XXX- Qualification Reference for quoting on refinery
Certificates of Quality. Refer also to Annex A 2.6 for requirements for reporting additions on
the C of Q.

19.

The approved Metal Deactivator Additive (MDA), RDE/A/650 appears in Annex A.3 of DEF
STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1. See also Annex A.3.1 about the need to report thermal stability
before and after using when contamination of Jet A-1 by any of the trace metals listed in this
Annex is unproven. Note also in A.3.3 that maximum doping at the point of manufacture or on
initial doping is limited to 2.0 mg/l.

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Product Specifications

Bulletin No. 51

May 2012

20.

Concentrations of Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII) less than 0.02% by volume can be
considered negligible and do not require agreement/notification. The assent to allow these
small quantities of FSII without agreement/notification is to facilitate the changeover from fuels
containing FSII to those not containing FSII where the additive may remain in the fuel system
for a limited time. This does not permit the continuous addition of FSII at these low
concentrations. Attention is drawn to the new note in Annex A.6 in DEF STAN 91-91/7
Amendment 1 highlighting that filter monitors cannot be used with fuel containing FSII.

21.

Attention is drawn to the guidance in DEF STAN 91-91/7 Amendment 1 and ASTM D 1655-11b
concerning the need for appropriate management of change measures in refineries
manufacturing jet fuel. The implications of any changes to feedstock, processing conditions or
process additives on finished product quality and performance need to be considered (for
example, experience has shown that some process additives might be carried over in trace
quantities into aviation fuels).

22.

It is normal to certify conformance to a primary specification. The following statements are

recommended.
It is certified that the samples have been tested using the Test Methods stated and
that the Batch represented by the samples conforms with DEF STAN 91-91 Issue 7
Amendment 1 and AFQRJOS Checklist Issue 26.
Or
It is certified that the samples have been tested using the Test Methods stated and
that the Batch represented by the samples conforms with ASTM D 1655-11b and
AFQRJOS Checklist Issue 26.
The minimum requirements of information to be included on the fuels refinery batch certificate
of quality are given below:
- Specification name, issue and any amendment number;
- Name and address of testing laboratory;
- Batch number or unique identifier;
- Quantity of fuel in the batch;
- Properties tested and including specification limit, test method and result of test;
- Additives, including qualification reference and quantity added;
- Name and position of authorised test certificate signatory or an electronic signature;
- Date of certification.

This document is intended for the guidance of Members of the Joint Inspection Group (JIG) and companies
affiliated with Members of JIG, and does not preclude the use of any other operating procedures, equipment or
inspection procedures. Neither JIG, its Members, the companies affiliated with its Members nor the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) accepts responsibility for the adoption of this document or
compliance with this document. Any party using this document in any way shall do so at its own risk.

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