Southern Sales Group of Companies

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, boats! , 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. (Stay out of
your car until you have pumped your gas!!!!
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/ . Go to "safe refueling". Once here, click in
the center of the screen where it says "Stop Static". Watch the video
of an actual incident.

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.

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