Cell Phones Cause Refueling Fires - Fact NOT Fiction

Cell Phones Cause Refueling Fires - Fact NOT Fiction

*** NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED ***
Before you read this article I must tell you that
I have received some email from subscribers telling
me about signs that now appear on some gas pumps.
These signs give a warning that cell phones should
not be used during refueling. This information
was also posted by one in a comment.

As pointed out in the comment, if it wasn't true
then no one would have spent the money to produce
and post the warning signs.

Joe was being a person who cared about all of us
and our safety and I thank him for sharing this
warning. Without it I would never have known about
this real danger. I didn't find any mention of it
online and have not seen any of these signs.

Thank you Joe for sharing this information with those
of us who didn't know. I have changed the closing
comment to include the cell phone warning as a
valid concern.

Susan

**********

I received the following email from a subscriber
and was very concerned but did some checking before
I sent it out. ( I do this with all alerts and
warnings - too many hoaxes going around these days.)

You'll see my notes about this email embedded in
the SIDENOTES.

*********
Start of email

Shell Oil Co. Announcement
Importance: High

*********
SIDENOTE: I went to the Shell Oil web site and could
not find any warning about cell phones except that
they are a dangerous distraction while driving.
*********

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 anywhere NEAR the gas pumps OR Fuel
canisters.
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.

*********
SIDENOTE: To see the actual guidelines issued by the
PEI go to : http://www.pei.org/static/ and note that
these guidelines do not pertain to the use of cell
phones. I also checked out several of the links on
this site that did refer to the use of cell phones
and found that they all stated that the use of cell
phones causing refueling fires was an urban legend
i.e. a hoax.

Is using a cell phone while refueling fact or fiction?
I don't know. But I do know that while you are busy
working with a lethal weapon ( your car or a highly
flammable liquid like gas ) it is better to keep your
mind on what you are doing rather than be distracted
by answering or talking on the phone.
*********

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 and the fire started as a result of
static electricity.
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 re-entered
and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a
variety of makes and models. 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 touch the nozzle. This way the static from
your body will be discharged before you ever touch the
nozzle.

*********
SIDENOTE: This warning is valid and I saw it published
on several sites. Also, women do seem to be involved
more often in these types of fires and I have heard
several rumored reasons but have no valid proof of why
they are.
*********

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.

*********
SIDENOTE: I didn't see a "Stop Static" link so I went
to "Safe Refueling".
*********

If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to
get the children out in time.

Joe

*********
End of email

Thanks for passing this along. We all need to be
aware of the new warnings. So take care of yourself
and those you love by not re-entering your vehicle
or using a cell phone while refueling.

Susan Carroll
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