Warning
>From Shell Oil Company Please
send this information to ALL your family &
friends, especially those who have kids in the
car with them while pumping gas. If this were to
happen, they may not be able to get the children
out in time.
MUST READ,
EVEN IF YOU DON'T OWN A
CAR.
Shell Oil Comments - A MUST
READ!
Safety
Alert!
Here are
some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in
operating areas, propylene oxide handling and
storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling
areas.
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-e ntered 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.
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.
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