Guest guest Posted March 11, 2003 Report Share Posted March 11, 2003 > "When I tell the truth, > it is not for the sake of convincing those > who do not know it, > but for the sake of defending those that do." > > William Blake > > > This could save an ugly fire and your life > > 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 his > face when fumes ignited as he answered a call while > refueling his car. > > And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh > and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was > in his pocket, rang while he was fueling his 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 lawn mowers, boats, etc. > > Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned > off, around other materials that generate flammable or > explosive fumes or dust i.e. solvents, chemicals, gases, > grain dust, etc. > > Another related topic for safe refueling regarding static > electricity causing fires at gas pumps... > > Hopefully, most of you have heard that it's unsafe to > smoke or use your cell phone while pumping gas. Now > there's another safety warning you should know about > concerning static electricity. > > To sum it up, here are the: Four Rules for Safe Refueling > > 1) Turn off 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 Institute is working > on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as > a result of "static electricity" 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 his/her vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping > gas and getting out of the car when finished. When 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 that cause > the fire when connected with static charges. > 7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was reentered > and the nozzle was touched during refueling, > some resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, > and to the customer. > 8) Seventeen fires 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, > are really trying to make the public aware of this danger. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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