Carrie
11-12-2003, 09:09 AM
Got this email this morning; how many of you talk on the phone while fueling your car?
**************
I ask you to 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. Thanks for passing this along.
Pat Cabiling-Chevrontexaco USA RFMS Richmond California Refinery
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 (cell) phones that light up when switched on or when they ring
release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition
Mobile (cell) phones should not be used in filling stations, or when
fueling lawn mowers, boat! , Etc.
Mobile (cell) 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.)
To sum it up:
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 their
vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, 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 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". (I looked at this site and it states that nothing
confirms cell phone use... but I would still take a moment to review all
of the above and think... should we take a chance??)
I ask you to 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. Thanks for passing this along.
Pat Cabiling-Chevrontexaco USA RFMS Richmond California Refinery Phone:
(510) 242-1454 Email
Important information to keep your families safe!
****************
**************
I ask you to 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. Thanks for passing this along.
Pat Cabiling-Chevrontexaco USA RFMS Richmond California Refinery
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 (cell) phones that light up when switched on or when they ring
release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition
Mobile (cell) phones should not be used in filling stations, or when
fueling lawn mowers, boat! , Etc.
Mobile (cell) 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.)
To sum it up:
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 their
vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, 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 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". (I looked at this site and it states that nothing
confirms cell phone use... but I would still take a moment to review all
of the above and think... should we take a chance??)
I ask you to 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. Thanks for passing this along.
Pat Cabiling-Chevrontexaco USA RFMS Richmond California Refinery Phone:
(510) 242-1454 Email
Important information to keep your families safe!
****************