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.)
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
