Cellphones while refueling
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:53 pm
The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations. In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump. In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car. And in the third, an individual suffered severe burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that mobile phones can ignite fuel or fumes. Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition. Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawnmowers, boats, etc. [ How many of us carry cell phones in our tank bags or have then nearby when refueling our bikes?]. Mobile phones should not be used, and should be turned off, when around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust (solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.).
To sum it up, here are Four Rules for Safe Refueling: 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Don't smoke. 3. Don't use your cell phone (leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off). 4. Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling.
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment is working on a campaign to make people aware of fires resulting from "static electricity" at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires. His results of this study were very surprising:
1. Out of 150 cases, ALMOST ALL of the victims were women.
2. Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.
3. Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
4. Most men never get back in their vehicles untill completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
5. Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas.
6. It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
7. There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8. Seventeen fires occured before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before refueling began.
Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back in your vehicle while filling it with gas.
If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure when you get out, to close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged BEFORE you remove the nozzle. You can find out more information by going to http://www.pei.org/. Once there, click on the center of the screen where it sas "Stop Static".
Please pass this information on to your wives, family and friends, especialy those who have kids in the car while pumping gas. If a fire were to ignite during refueling, they may not be able to get the children out in time. There have been tragic cases where children were burned to death as a result of static initiated fires during refueling
You should know that mobile phones can ignite fuel or fumes. Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition. Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawnmowers, boats, etc. [ How many of us carry cell phones in our tank bags or have then nearby when refueling our bikes?]. Mobile phones should not be used, and should be turned off, when around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust (solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.).
To sum it up, here are Four Rules for Safe Refueling: 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Don't smoke. 3. Don't use your cell phone (leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off). 4. Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling.
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment is working on a campaign to make people aware of fires resulting from "static electricity" at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires. His results of this study were very surprising:
1. Out of 150 cases, ALMOST ALL of the victims were women.
2. Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.
3. Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
4. Most men never get back in their vehicles untill completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
5. Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas.
6. It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
7. There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8. Seventeen fires occured before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before refueling began.
Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back in your vehicle while filling it with gas.
If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure when you get out, to close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged BEFORE you remove the nozzle. You can find out more information by going to http://www.pei.org/. Once there, click on the center of the screen where it sas "Stop Static".
Please pass this information on to your wives, family and friends, especialy those who have kids in the car while pumping gas. If a fire were to ignite during refueling, they may not be able to get the children out in time. There have been tragic cases where children were burned to death as a result of static initiated fires during refueling
or credit card 
?
