What is mobile refueling and is it addressed by any national standard?

by Nils Deacon, Manager, Inspections and Rating Services

Mobile refueling or on-demand refueling is the practice of refueling a vehicle by a service that brings fuel to an offsite location. This could be the customer’s driveway, a parking lot, or other site. The request for service is app generated. The information needed is your vehicle’s location, description, and amount of fuel needed – along with payment information. Then a service comes to your vehicle to pump the fuel you need, and you pay electronically.

NFPA 30A – the Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages provides standard language that authorities having jurisdiction can use in regulating the mobile fueling practice.

This is important to insurance companies since it prohibits refueling in certain buildings such as enclosed parking garages. The code also requires that the authority having jurisdiction and the owner of the property must approve of the operation. There are other features such as the required minimum 25’ clearance to buildings, property lines, and combustible storage that could be an underwriting concern.

DISCLAIMER: This information reflects the interpretation of MSO, Inc. with regard to NFPA Standards and Codes. It does not represent NFPA’s official position on the items discussed.

On-demand refueling is arranged via a mobile app.