Fuel Systems (FS) are critical for aircraft safety. Fire, ice and system failures are typical safety hazards associated to FS. FS accidents, though only representing 2% of accidents/incidents, continue to be a recurrent concern, especially as: the complexity of FS escalades to cope with increasing needs, including more stringent safety requirements; flight conditions evolve with new routes at high altitude, crossing the Arctic, and faster climbing and approach; climate changes with more aircraft (A/C) exposed to hazardous weather.

Thus, FS have to deal with more extreme temperatures, stronger temperature gradients, more humidity, and more exposure to lightning. In addition, new technologies are emerging: Composite, More Electric and Alternative Fuel, bringing new safety requirements. For example, within the composite A/C environment, systems will be more exposed to lightning and induced arcing.