Cell phones cause gas fires?

[Carrie]

Got this email this morning; how many of you talk on the phone while fueling your car?

**************
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-Chevrontexaco USA RFMS Richmond California Refinery

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 (cell) phones that light up when switched on or when they ring
release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition

Mobile (cell) phones should not be used in filling stations, or when
fueling lawn mowers, boat! , Etc.

Mobile (cell) 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:

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 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 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 looked at this site and it states that nothing
confirms cell phone use... but I would still take a moment to review all
of the above and think... should we take a chance??)

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-Chevrontexaco USA RFMS Richmond California Refinery Phone:
(510) 242-1454 Email

Important information to keep your families safe!
****************

[DaveAFX]

Probably a hoax:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-c...e-gas-fires.htm

http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/hoa...e+Ignition+Hoax

http://www.wisinfo.com/thereporter/news/ar..._12312233.shtml

"An e-mail hoax forwarded through cyberspace for the past two years is loose in the Fond du Lac area, causing some alarm about cell phone usage.

The e-mail, which has no traceable origin, discusses the dangers of cell phone usage at gas stations — specifically, how the ringing or answering of a cell phone can be the spark needed to ignite gasoline vapors and fumes and start a gasoline fire.

The e-mail details three such incidents that supposedly occurred at Shell gasoline stations. Contacted at Shell’s corporate offices in an effort to verify the validity of the e-mailed contents, Shell officials dismissed the e-mail as an Internet hoax."

[Menace]

They had this not too long ago on the Discovery channel show Mythbusters.

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbust...ythbusters.html

They have a message board with discussion but it's not linked directly because I'm a "good" boy

[Forest]

I dont know if its a myth or not but the have signs at some gas stations in Fl asking not to use cell phones while pumping your gas for this reason

[Torone]

Our local TV station recently showed video purportedly from a security camera showing such an incident. Could happen with certain types of phones...I know that most chem plants and refineries only allow certain types of phones & radios inside.

[Fletch XXX]

URBAN LEGEND.

[Mike AI]

I think it goes beyond urban legend, I have seen the signs at gas stations, as well as have read things from cell phone makers. I even saw a video on one of those stupid shok tv shows.

It is rare, but its better to be safe then sorry.

Static electricty is another thing that sets off gas at gas stations, so if you are fill up a can or portable gas tank, always put it on the ground.

[quiet]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 12 2003, 07:41 AM
I think it goes beyond urban legend, I have seen the signs at gas stations, as well as have read things from cell phone makers. I even saw a video on one of those stupid shok tv shows.

It is rare, but its better to be safe then sorry.

Static electricty is another thing that sets off gas at gas stations, so if you are fill up a can or portable gas tank, always put it on the ground.

so have i. maybe it's utter bullshit, but i avoid using my cell while filling up.

[Fletch XXX]

Looks like the SHOCK TV show worked.

heheh

[quiet]

wtf is shok tv?

[Fletch XXX]

Originally posted by quiet@Nov 12 2003, 07:47 AM
wtf is shok tv?

no clue, just heard of it.

sounds like a show thats based on shocking the viewer.

heheh

[cherrylula]

...but if you forward this thread to ten people, you will have good luck and your cell phone won't explode!!!

hehe

[Fletch XXX]

i want to be the first mass arsonist using this method.

im gonna plant cell phones at gas stations throughout the west coast and call them, and blow up things.

this is gonna rule.

[Fletch XXX]

or maybe following around old enemies till you see them filling up, and then hit autodial.

BOOM.

good night you fucker.

[quiet]

or just use a loaded gun.

[Fletch XXX]

Originally posted by quiet@Nov 12 2003, 08:00 AM
or just use a loaded gun.

when you do that you only make the news once or twice.

do something creative and be remembered forever.

[quiet]

Originally posted by Fletch XXX+Nov 12 2003, 08:03 AM-->