another reason to hate cell phones

**pudgy** · 04-07-2003, 08:23 AM

Dallas Field Division

Intelligence Group

Safety Bulletin

The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in
which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling
operations. (Channel 10 carried a story last night about a fueling
fire.)

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 safety warning you should know about concerns static
electricity. Below is an email from Pat Cabiling who works at Chevron
Texaco's Richmond Refinery.

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 reenter 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 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
<https://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 @ Chevron Texaco

Sean Barnwell
Detective
Branson Police
110 W. Maddux, Suite 100
Branson, MO 65616
(417)337-8593
(417)334-5530