safety tips to stop fires at gas stations

February 22, 2003

sankaram siva sankaram

dear samratchanites

here is some useful info i found and i think you must read it to be safe and prevent fires while at the gas station.

PS.

ganesh s. thanks for clarifying about the new flash website and i guess it is really slow. maybe the site is still under development. lets see and continue to enjoy the speeches of baba which vidya mami has been uploading for us all.

love

madhu reddy

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 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 lawn mowers, boat, 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 safety warning you should know about concerns static electricity.>>Below is an email from Pat Cabiling who works at Chevron Texaco's>Richmond Refinery.>>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 reenter 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 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 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 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 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.">>See it's the oil companies alll along...SANKARAM SIVA SANKARAM

Madhusudhan Devareddy,

630, Merrick St, Apt # 307,

Detroit, Michigan, USA-48202-3950,

Phone: 313 - 832- 9418 (Home)

313 - 673 - 4248 (Cell)

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