Fire Hazards while pumping gas

Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static" at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires. His results were very surprising:

1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.

2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle
while the nozzle was still pumping gas, when finished and they went back to pull the nozzle out the fire started, as a result of static.

3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.

4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until 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 tank that cause the fire, when exposed to static charges.

7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.

8) Seventeen fires that occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.

Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas. If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, 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 ever remove the nozzle.

As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with
several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger. You can find out more information by going to
http://www.pei.org. Once here, click in the center of the screen where it says "Stop Static".



Now, try explaining this to the Ladies

 

I've seen this too. There is a lady at work that see's danger in everything and is CONSTANTLY forwarding stuff that turns out to be urban legends. I've gotten to where I challenge everything she sends, so I checked this one out too. It seems to be legit. Makes sense too. Thanks for passing it along Alan.

Ron

 

Another one.... don't fill a plastic gas can while it is in the bed of your pickup, especially if there is a bed liner. Always fill the can while it is on the pavement next to the pump.

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'94 E-150 Conversion Van 4.9 / C-6 -- '89 Mustang LX 5.0

 

Spoilsport. Urban legends are fun. Remember the one from SLC back in the late 80's about the driver who used his cigarette lighter to look down into the top of his crude trailer to see if it was empty? WOOF! Oh, wait a minute, that one was true. I was about 100 yards from him when he did it.

Or what about the bozo in Moab who parked his Jeep right beside the gas tanker unloading at the Circle K? He immediately realized his goof, hit the starter and WOOF!

The now defunct Pennzoil Refinery in Roosevelt UT was having troubles with a additive injection system on the #2 diesel back in the early 90's. This additive was to help reduce the static inherent in diesel. Tanker was loading and had gas residue in the compartment from the last load. BOOM! Next day I was there waiting in line to load and everyone was standing around jabbering about what had happened the day before. The company personnel were out there trying to assure everyone that the problem was resolved. BOOM! Did it again.

Have you ever purchased a new propane tank? Did the person filling it for the first time purge it? If not, did you pull a Pink Floyd and "Run like Hell"? Propane always has static electricity and if there is the right fuel/air ratio when it sparks to the top of the container, BIG BOOM! I have seen training films where a small propane (think torch) bottle was purposely filled that had air in it and it was pretty impressive how much energy was released from that little bottle.

Just a few more points to ponder.

 

hmm.....'try explaining this to the ladies'.....should I take offense to this?? hehe

Gig'em

 

Ok,
Take 1 boat, preferrably firberglas.
Drag it around on a trailer through the air for awhile to build up a nice large static charge.
Now pull into your local filling station and leave the tank (outboard motor I guess) in the boat.
Apply fuel filler nozzel
BOOM!!!! :-staun