MolaKule
Staff member
Bob Penkes 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
pumping gas. 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 vehicles (a variety of makes and models)
were reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling. Some resulted
in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8) Seventeen fires 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/static/index.htm
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
pumping gas. 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 vehicles (a variety of makes and models)
were reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling. Some resulted
in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8) Seventeen fires 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/static/index.htm
