At my work, the boss has put up a flyer warning people not to get back in their cars while they're gassing them. The flyer says that if you get in your car and then get out again, touching the cloth of the seats and floor, and touch the nozzle of the pump, an ESD can make the it explode. Anyone ever hear of this?
Urban legend or fact
- Thread starter F117NightHawk
- Start date
I guess it could happen... I always discharge when I get out of the car or open the fuel door before pumping gas anyway... and then I stand there and wait for it to finish. Why get back in your car? Too lazy to stand there holding the nozzle? 
BTW ESDs hurt enough as it is... I'd rather not burst into flames too. :Q
BTW ESDs hurt enough as it is... I'd rather not burst into flames too. :Q
I heard it last Friday. Saw an article on some news site about a woman who did that. Apparently, there was some static electricity built up and when she got out of the car and touched pump handle, it sparked and ignited the gas fumes causing an explosion.
At local gas stations, they've posted signs in the last couple months that state no use of cell phones or similar electronic devices is permitted by the pumps. Same deal, possible electric spark leading to explosion.
At local gas stations, they've posted signs in the last couple months that state no use of cell phones or similar electronic devices is permitted by the pumps. Same deal, possible electric spark leading to explosion.
Exactly...and if you think about it, most people get back in their cars in WINTER, when it's extra DRY all the time. Thus, when they get out of their cloth seats, there's a much higher chance of them getting a static discharge when they touch the gas pump, and have it blow up.
Be careful out there.
iamwiz82
Lifer
- Jan 10, 2001
- 30,772
- 13
- 81
I would think its true. I know how badly I get shocked when I get out of cars summer/winter sometimes so bad that i can see the spark come from my fingers..
Demon-Xanth
Lifer
- Feb 15, 2000
- 20,551
- 2
- 81
Getting in and out of the car is a believable source of electricity since I've ridden in some cars that shock me damn near every time. The cell phone thing has always seemed silly to me, though they might be there so people pay attention to the nossle falling out of thier car and spilling on the ground instead of the conversation
HomeBrewerDude
Lifer
- Jan 18, 2001
- 14,465
- 1
- 0
Why the hell would you get back into your car? Are people so lazy that they have to sit down while the pump gas?
Yes, it can happen. I looked up the statistics, 1 person has been killed by this in the past 10 years or so of recording these incidents. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning while being run over by a semi truck as you fall out of a third story window.
Amused
Elite Member
- Apr 14, 2001
- 57,000
- 18,221
- 146
That's funny. Everytime I'm hit by ESD getting out of my car, it's when I touch the DOOR to close it, not later.
And the cell phone warnings are a farce.
You know, this crap amazes me. We have enough real threats in our lives, and so damn many things that are REALLY dangerous or deadly. Yet we spend our time ignoring those and making up new things to worry about.
I'll never understand this.
And the cell phone warnings are a farce.
You know, this crap amazes me. We have enough real threats in our lives, and so damn many things that are REALLY dangerous or deadly. Yet we spend our time ignoring those and making up new things to worry about.
I'll never understand this.
Don Vito Corleone
Elite
- Feb 10, 2000
- 30,029
- 67
- 91
I have heard of people having the ESD spark ignite the vapor in their fuel tank filler tube, causing a scary but harmless flame to shoot out, but actual ignition of the liquid gas is pretty rare, I think.
These kinds of incidents make me wonder why tire makers stopped using carbon black as a vulcanizing agent in tires, since the absence of carbon black is what causes the static to accumulate in cars. I have been lucky enough not to have this problem with any of my last three cars, all of which had modern Bridgestone and Michelin tires - I guess this is partially due to having leather, which seems less prone to static buildup than cloth upholstry.
These kinds of incidents make me wonder why tire makers stopped using carbon black as a vulcanizing agent in tires, since the absence of carbon black is what causes the static to accumulate in cars. I have been lucky enough not to have this problem with any of my last three cars, all of which had modern Bridgestone and Michelin tires - I guess this is partially due to having leather, which seems less prone to static buildup than cloth upholstry.
The flowing gasoline can cause an inordinate amount of static to build up. You can get shocked when you get out of the vehicle, or when you touch the pump handle. If there are any gas fumes present, then there is a slim chance that the spark could be an ignition source. Very slim.
Ever seen big trucks on the highway dragging a chain behind them? Same idea... As you drive, you pick up a static charge due to moving through the air. The driver can get a discharge when he/she climbs out of the truck. Not fun. The chain serves to ground the vehicle.
Ryan
Ever seen big trucks on the highway dragging a chain behind them? Same idea... As you drive, you pick up a static charge due to moving through the air. The driver can get a discharge when he/she climbs out of the truck. Not fun. The chain serves to ground the vehicle.
Ryan
I'm going to go with:
LEGENDARY URBAN FACT
I mean, OK, it COULD happen (both the static from ESD or the spark from the cellphone), but you know what else COULD happen? You COULD shuffle a deck of cards and have them just happen to end up in order.
It COULD happen.
But it isn't often.
You COULD win the lottery.
But in theory, if there just happened to be an appropriate amount of fuel vapor in the surrounding air and you sparked it, it might go up.
I was under the impression that the cell phone warnings (which have definitely been around for a couple years at least) didn't come as a result of an actual event, it was just someone trying to prevent a potential incident.
LEGENDARY URBAN FACT
I mean, OK, it COULD happen (both the static from ESD or the spark from the cellphone), but you know what else COULD happen? You COULD shuffle a deck of cards and have them just happen to end up in order.
It COULD happen.
But it isn't often.
You COULD win the lottery.
But in theory, if there just happened to be an appropriate amount of fuel vapor in the surrounding air and you sparked it, it might go up.
I was under the impression that the cell phone warnings (which have definitely been around for a couple years at least) didn't come as a result of an actual event, it was just someone trying to prevent a potential incident.
What we need here is a new set Government regulations requiring everybody to wear ( at the gas stations expense of course ) static control foot straps, so that when they get out of their cars to fill up this sort of thing won't happen. The only reason this has not been done yet, is because Bush is in bed with big oil.
Ziptar
Platinum Member
- Jul 7, 2001
- 2,077
- 0
- 86
I can see the new regulations and saftey signs now:
Surgeon Generals Warning: Being a complete moron greatly increases your risk of blowing yourself to bits.
and the new products.
"New and Improved Bounce, helps stop Dangerous ESD discharges that could blow you up while pumping gas! Now available in Unleaded Scent in the new Service Station Pack!!!"
- No Smoking
Stop Engine
No cellphones
No Wool Pants or Coats
Surgeon Generals Warning: Being a complete moron greatly increases your risk of blowing yourself to bits.
and the new products.
"New and Improved Bounce, helps stop Dangerous ESD discharges that could blow you up while pumping gas! Now available in Unleaded Scent in the new Service Station Pack!!!"
you know what's really scary? I was pumping the gas, and this lady in an old crappy dodge aries i think. Anyway, she was just finishing a cigarette and threw the butt out the window!!! WTF!@?!?!?!?$#@ she did open the door and step on it.. but thats a little too late IMO...
I'm always fond of the guys who ask if i mind that they leave their engines running while I fill the tanks. I think I'd prefer you not blow my dock sky-high, thank you very much. I can't imagine people are so lazy that they can't pump the gas without sitting down. 25 gallons? hmph, try 200 with no handle lock! Nevermind that it is illegal to leave the pump unattended.
yeah, and it's probably a good thing considering the mean IQ in that state
Not all of us are still wearing superman underwear that will protects us.
Now for some facts.
The Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static" (that is, static electricity) at gas pumps. They have researched 150 cases of these fires. The 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.
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.
________
Cell Phone Explosion Hazards
Cell Phone Explosion Hazards -An employee on an offshore drilling rig received second degree burns when he answered his cell phone while working on a panel which contained an explosive mixture of gas. Similarly, a driver suffered burns when gasoline fumes ignited causing an explosion as he was talking on his mobile phone while his vehicle was being fueled. Many mobile phone makers print cautions in their user handbooks that warn against mobile phones in gas stations, fuel storage sites, and chemical factories.
Best Practices -Read your instruction book. Mobile phone makers such as Motorola, Ericsson, and Nokia print cautions in their user handbooks that warn against mobile phones in gas stations, fuel storage sites, and chemical factories. Turn off your mobile phone before entering any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere (For example: areas around degas wells; coal storage areas; fueling areas, such as gas stations; below deck on boats; fuel transfer storage facilities; chemical transfer and storage facilities; and areas where the air contains chemicals or particles, such as coal dust, grain, dust, or metal powders). Do not transport or store flammable gas, liquid, or explosives in the same compartment of your vehicle that contains your mobile phone and its accessories.
Society of Petroleum Engineers
I don't believe this was mentioned earlier.
If you are filling a gas tank for your lawn mower set it on the ground beside the pump to fill it. Do not fill it in your car or especially in the back of a pickup with a plastic bed liner.
Now for some facts.
The Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static" (that is, static electricity) at gas pumps. They have researched 150 cases of these fires. The 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.
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.
________
Cell Phone Explosion Hazards
Cell Phone Explosion Hazards -An employee on an offshore drilling rig received second degree burns when he answered his cell phone while working on a panel which contained an explosive mixture of gas. Similarly, a driver suffered burns when gasoline fumes ignited causing an explosion as he was talking on his mobile phone while his vehicle was being fueled. Many mobile phone makers print cautions in their user handbooks that warn against mobile phones in gas stations, fuel storage sites, and chemical factories.
Best Practices -Read your instruction book. Mobile phone makers such as Motorola, Ericsson, and Nokia print cautions in their user handbooks that warn against mobile phones in gas stations, fuel storage sites, and chemical factories. Turn off your mobile phone before entering any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere (For example: areas around degas wells; coal storage areas; fueling areas, such as gas stations; below deck on boats; fuel transfer storage facilities; chemical transfer and storage facilities; and areas where the air contains chemicals or particles, such as coal dust, grain, dust, or metal powders). Do not transport or store flammable gas, liquid, or explosives in the same compartment of your vehicle that contains your mobile phone and its accessories.
Society of Petroleum Engineers
I don't believe this was mentioned earlier.
If you are filling a gas tank for your lawn mower set it on the ground beside the pump to fill it. Do not fill it in your car or especially in the back of a pickup with a plastic bed liner.
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