Subject: Mobile Phone Safety, Static Electricity & Fueling your car

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.

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 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
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
http://www.pei.org . Once here, click in the center of the screen
where it says "Stop Static."