Has anyone heard about this?

**dz_blonde_girl** · 01-16-2003, 10:39 AM

The Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static" (that is, static electricity) at gas pumps. They have researched 150 cases of these fires. The 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 , they went back to pull the nozzle out. The fire started then as a result of static discharge.

3) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.

4) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.

5) Don't ever use cell phones or any other two way radio's / electronic devices when pumping gas ... (The RF energy from a cell phone (a radio transmitter) can cause a sparking on bare metal, much like aluminum foil in a microwave oven ..

6) It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static discharges.

7) In 29 fires, the vehicle had been reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling. This occurred in a variety of makes and models. 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.

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 touch the nozzle. 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".

**tigo** · 01-16-2003, 11:25 AM

Yep! I had seen a video clip of a Guy (to dispute the article above a little) who was filling his portable tank in his truck. He had to be put out by bystanders. Pretty horrifying to watch and it was something I never thought of.

**voodidit** · 01-16-2003, 11:34 AM

There was an incident not long ago near me where a man answered his cell phone while pumping gas and that was enough to cause a spark. It caught his truck on fire with his 17 month old son in the truck still strapped in his car seat. They almost didn't get the little boy out and the truck was destroyed, since then I always turm my cell phone off when I pull into the gas station, better safe than sorry.

**halo475** · 01-16-2003, 02:07 PM

No I have never heard of this. Wow thanks for the post. I never get back in my vehicle while fueling, now I am glad I don't. But this is something I will share. My kids are getting to the age where they like to pump gas (with my help of course) and this is good info to pass onto them.

**captclearance** · 01-16-2003, 04:15 PM

I have heard of it....... I still see people doing it anyway..... as a matter of fact, I still see people smoking at the pumps also..

**grneyegrl** · 01-16-2003, 05:02 PM

yes i have but i luck to live in new jersey where we dont have to pump our own gas and it doesnt cost any more.

**Nelly** · 01-16-2003, 09:51 PM

I saw a report on this one of those shows like 20/20 ( I can't remember which one). Ever since I touch the car to get rid of any static and I make sure I only touch the handle of the pump.

I also saw the footage of that man who was pumping gas into the portable tank. Although it was really scary to see this guy light up, it was amazing to see good samaritans run to his rescue w/out thinking of their safety. I try to tell as many people as I can about this danger.

Nelly

**mylittle4** · 01-17-2003, 12:28 AM

I touch the metal of the car also. BTW I saw a story about an elderly woman who was getting her hair down and static sparked the hairspray. It burned her pretty badly.

**PennyPinchinPam** · 01-17-2003, 01:00 AM

The man with the gas can in the bed of his truck was on a military base, I think. I was so proud to see military members jump to his rescue like that.