Can static electricity REALLY cause fires at gas pumps? YES.
Although some of the figures used in the currently circulating email message can't necessarily be upheld by the
report, the issue is VERY TRUE.
The National Petroleum Equipment Institute is real. Their members are manufacturers, distributors of gasoline
pumping equipment. This is apparently not a real widespread problem, but enough incidents had happened to warrant some
study. It seems that most incidents happened when people re-entered their cars while they were still fueling.
There also seems to be some question about cell phones causing incidents, but none of these incidents has been confirmed.
In our area, there are now notices on all the pumps about this issue. The notices say not to touch the car
while fueling and not to get back into the car while fueling.
Currently Circulating Message:
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign
to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static" 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.
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
