Cell Phones & Pumping Gas Warning

[Ed Csoltko]

Subject: Cell Phones
>
> The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phone (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 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 boats! Etc.
>
> Mobile phones should not be used and must be turned off, around other material that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust i. e. solvents, chemicals, gasses, grain dust, etc.
>
> Hopefully, most of you have heard that's its unsafe to smoke or use your cell phone while pumping gas. Now there is another safety warning you should know concerning static electricity.
>
> Below is an important information from Pat Cabling who works at Chevron Texaco's Richmond Refinery.
>
> 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' reenter your vehicle during fueling
>
> Robert 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 related fires. His result 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 have had on rubber-soled shoes.
> 4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until finished pumping gas completely.
> 5) Most men don't use cell phone when pumping gas.
> 6) It's the vapors that comes out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
> 7) There were reported 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 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, TOUCH THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever removed 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.
>
> Please send this information to ALL your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to get the children out in time.
>