What should be done before conducting maintenance on pressurized fuel lines?

Before conducting maintenance on pressurized fuel lines, it is essential to depressurize the system. This step is crucial for ensuring the safety of personnel and preventing accidents, such as fuel sprays or explosions. When fuel lines are under pressure, any disturbance during maintenance can cause fuel to escape violently, posing fire hazards and increasing the risk of injuries.

Depressurizing the system allows for safe handling of the fuel lines, as it removes the potential for pressurized fuel to leak out unexpectedly. This procedure typically involves following specific guidelines to safely relieve pressure from the lines in a controlled manner, ensuring that the system is safe to work on.

While clearing the area of all personnel, checking for leaks, and draining the fuel can be important safety measures, they do not directly address the immediate risk associated with the pressurization of the lines themselves. Depressurization is the necessary first step that must be completed before any other maintenance tasks can safely follow.