Fire Dangers at the Gas Pumps: Static Electricity

Many of us have seen on the television or have heard about static electricity causing fires to occur while pumping gas. We all need gasoline for our vehicles, but there are fire dangers waiting at the gas pumps, but there are several ways to prevent such a disaster from occurring every time you pump gas into your vehicle.

Static Electricity is caused from an accumulation of electrical discharges that was caused by that individual person sitting back down in their vehicle after placing the nozzle in and begins to pump gasoline. Then after the pump stopped fueling, the person gets back out of the car and pulls the nozzle out causing a fire to ignite, which is as a result of the static electricity. Most people have had on rubber-soled shoes at the time.

On Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Copeville, Texas, at around 9:56 pm. A call went out to the local area Fire Department and the Collin County Marshall's Office stating that a gas pump was on fire at Hilltop Groceries in Copeville Texas. According to the Fire Marshal's Office, a flash fire was caused by static electricity when the driver of a BMW pulled up to the gas station to fill a gas can up with gasoline, but he did not remove the gas can from his backseat before filling it up with gas. The gas pump caught fire and melted some of the awning to the store, and no one was injured during the fire. The fire was put out within minutes of the Fire Department's arrival on the scene.

When I told my husband about the fire, which is 1 mile away from our house, I told him that I always get back in my vehicle when I pump gas, especially the winter, but after seeing the extensive damage and knowing the dangers that await at the gas pump, I will be more careful from now on. My husband told me that if I absolutely HAVE to get back in to my vehicle while the gas is pumping, to be sure that when I first get out and close the door, that I touch my hand to the metal on my car before I ever pull the nozzle out from the gas pump to begin fueling. This way the static from my body will be discharged before I ever remove the nozzle. Here are ways to stay safe while at the gas pumps:

1. When you are carrying gasoline in a portable container make sure it is secured against tipping and sliding, and never leave it in direct sunlight or in the trunk of a car.

2. Never fill the container more than 95 percent full, which will allow for expansion.

3. Place cap tightly on the container after filling - do not use containers that do not seal properly.

4. If any gasoline does spill out of the container, make sure that is fully evaporates first before you place the container back in your vehicle. Report any spills to an employee.

5. Use only an approved container when dispensing gasoline into a portable gasoline can and place the container on the ground. Keep the pump nozzle in contact with the container while refueling to avoid a static electricity ignition of the fuel vapors.

6. Never fill containers from inside a vehicle, in the trunk, on the bed of a pickup truck, a flat bed or on the floor of a trailer. Always remove the gas container first.

7. To avoid gasoline spills, do not over fill or top off your vehicle fuel tank. The fuel dispenser shuts off automatically once the tank is full.

These are just a few of the many ways there are to stay safe while pumping gas. For more information about static electricity and fires at the gas pump, please visit the following websites:

Gas pump fires are a reality, but they can also be prevented.

Sources:

Farmersville Times

http://www.pei.org/

http://www.api.org/