Important safety topic, everyone needs to view this!

[BamaDave]

I work in the refining industry and this message needs to be sent out for all to view!

First thing you need to do here is to look at the shortGasoline Fumes Video, link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98ywzgMGS_A

This video clip was filmed using a special camera (FLIR Gas Finder) that can see gaseous type fumes and hydrocarbon releases that the naked eye cannot detect. When pumping fuel, all cell phones should either be turned off or left in the vehicle. Under no circumstances should a live phone be near the person pumping gas. This applies to all school personnel when fueling buses, vehicles, lawn mowers, etc.
Additional information:

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.

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.
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 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 in formation 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.

Take care,

David

[Krunk Man]

wow that gas vapor really is coming out fast.

[blondboinsd]

Thats always been a myth

[DINANM3]

Originally Posted by blondboinsd

Thats always been a myth

Its not a myth. It happened to a lady I know at a gas station that I fill up regularly. She was pumping gas on her cell phone and it ignited the fumes. She got away with sever burns but the car caught fire and soon after ignited the entire gas station. The entire station burned to the ground. This happened about 9 months ago. No bullshit. I didnt believe it until I heard that.

[AzNMpower32]

Hmm, my cell is always in my pocket. Shouldn't be a problem (and I usually don't stand right next to the pump......I kinda walk around my car a bit.

I saw a woman on the cell filling up her new 530xi........with mid-grade gas. I felt like smacking her. "THAT'S HOW YOU TREAT A NEW $50K BMW?"

[B&DCalgary]

It's a myth. In fact Shell issued an official denial a few years ago when this rumor first started circulating on the Internet. The company has never made the statements quoted, and none of the anectdotal stories have ever been able to be independently verified.

[x5GuyInLA]

http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp

they say it's false

[JCL]

Old myth, comes back every year or so.

Out of interest, I went to the web site of the Petroleum Equipment Institute quoted in the first post. Their home page says:

Not Cell Phones
PEI has investigated hundreds of refueling fires and flare-ups. We have not documented one single incident that was caused by a cellular telephone.

and...

Cell phones have been cited as the cause in e-mails circulating on the Internet. So far we have been unable to document any incidents that were sparked by a cellular telephone. In fact, many researchers have tried to ignite fuel vapors with a cell phone and failed. PEI still recommends not using any electronic device that might distract the motorist during the refueling process.

Static is a different story. People can discharge static electricity (which can start a fire) and people use cell phones, but cell phones don't discharge static electricity.

DinanM3, you may want to go back to that woman you know and ask her if she has ever received a static electicity shock. It is more relevant than her cell phone.

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by JCL

Static is a different story. People can discharge static electricity (which can start a fire) and people use cell phones, but cell phones don't discharge static electricity.

That's exactly what it is. Getting in and out of the car to grab a ringing cell phone is what causes the static discharge. Same thing would have happened if you got back in the car to grab a stick of gum.

[Quicksilver]

Interesting story. http://urbanlegends.about.com/librar...y/aa062399.htm Says the Jury is out regarding the Cell phone stories. But the Oil companies are prudent about putting signs next to fuel pumps in gasoline stations. So it would appear that caution may be the better course of good judgement weather you believe it or not.