Mobile phone safety when refueling your vehicle

[Oxford]

Here's an article I think is worth reading and following the safety advice given.
Ox
----------------

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 related topic for safe refueling regarding static electricity
causing fires at gas pumps...please pass on. Also included are some
websites for more information CELL PHONES CAUSING REFUELING FIRES FYI:
Hopefully, most of you have heard that it's unsafe to smoke or use your
cell phone while pumping gas. Now there's another safety warning you
should know about concerning static electricity. Below is an email from
Pat Cabiling who works at ChevronTexaco'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 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 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 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 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: ppca@chevrontexaco.com

:nod:

[Klaus]

This sure looks like a hoax to me. I have seen most of this article before, but it ONLY referred to sparks from static starting fires. Someone edited it to add the phone nonsense in the front. To the best of my knowlege, there has not been a single documented instance of a cell phone starting a fire at a gas station. I work with Shell people, and no one has heard of any press release from Shell making these claims.

[Oxford]

Klaus:

I certainly hope you are right. You're probably in a better position to know the accuracy of the article.

Jokingly, I might say "I doubt if anyone who's been involved in a similar explosion is around to refute the story," but I wouldn't do that.(ha)

For me,though, I definitely believe in staying outside my vehicle when fueling, and in grounding myself before touching the fuel nozzle. No sense in taking unnecessary chances.

As far as the cell phone theory, mine is always off except when I initiate a call so that's never going to be a problem for me.

Ox:nod:

[David N]

It may in theory be possible but i think this is just an urban myth. This has been going around for 2-3 yrs now. I know of no one who has actually done this. I this was in fact so prevelent, I'm sure there would be immediate notice place on all fuel pumps to the extent that you couldn't find the price of gas on the pump. Please, I think this is BS and an attempt to over control the populace and sheep[ in society under the guise of "LET'S SAVE THEM FROM THEIR SELVES!!" Sorry goit carried away.

[Oxford]

David N:

Hope you're right!

I regularly fuel up at Quick Trip here in Kansas City, MO and there's definitely a large sign on the pumps which warn drivers not to open/close the door while fueling, as well as not to smoke.

Now, they don't have a sign warning about the danger of using cell phones while fueling.

Seems logical to me. I don't think it makes sense for me to take that chance.

Ox:nod:

[wes]

I've wondered about the cell phone thing. Being electronic,I don't believe it generates a spark anywhere and should be safe. Anybody know for sure?

[Doglips]

I THINK..I seen some warning stickers on gas pumps with the no cell phone thing....personal I never use a cell phone when fueling my car...too hard to talk well smokeing a ciggerrett

[wes]

:right: Doglips,