Do Not Use Cell Phones At The Gas Pump

JavertJavert Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15954Members
<div class="IPBDescription">*IMPORTANT!*</div> 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.)

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.
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.
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Comments

  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    This is why gas stations here in the UK have signs saying "DO NOT USE MOBILE PHONES" on them. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • CplDavisCplDavis I hunt the arctic Snonos Join Date: 2003-01-09 Member: 12097Members
    edited February 2004
    lol that show on TLC called Myth Busters tested this expiriment on their show.

    They got the local fire dept to help out.

    They replicated a gas station and to make sure to increase the "danger" they filled this enclosed area with crap loads of gas fumes and stuff, way more than would be in the open air gas station area.

    Then they tested 2 things.

    Static electrity and cell phones.

    They made huge static charges go off inside and nothing.
    They also remote called a cell phone that was placed inside. Still nothing.
    They pumped in more vaporised gas fumes.

    Still no affect. So this question of cell phones usage in gas stations was ruled false.

    I wonder what exactly happened in these cases with Shell <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    and yea esuna we have those signs in the US too <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • XiileXiile Join Date: 2003-02-22 Member: 13818Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-esuna+Feb 18 2004, 10:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (esuna @ Feb 18 2004, 10:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This is why gas stations here in the UK have signs saying "DO NOT USE MOBILE PHONES" on them. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    All of them in the US do too.

    AND ALSO REMEMBER TO DISCHARGE YOUR STATIC ELECTRICITY. SERIOUSLY.
  • AllUrHiveRblong2usAllUrHiveRblong2us By Your Powers Combined... Join Date: 2002-12-20 Member: 11244Members
    edited February 2004
    I saw that show on TLC, it was good. The static made the fumes ignite, but the cell phone did not. That's cuz a spark is just an electrical arc, and any electrcial arc through the air is going to create very high tempuratures for a vry short length of time. If a cell phone did that you shouldn't be using it anyways.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    Yeah, all that mobile phones causing explosions stuff is complete bunk. The real culprit is gas pixies.

    Seriously though, discharge static and you're fine. Otherwise you're buying into hysteria and contributing to the downfall of civilization as we know it.
  • FaenAngel1FaenAngel1 Join Date: 2004-02-06 Member: 26153Members
    the myth busters aren't on tlc, they're on the discovery channel <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • JediYoshiJediYoshi The Cupcake Boss Join Date: 2002-05-27 Member: 674Members
    Adam Savage somehow reminds me of Gordon Freeman

    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • LastLast Join Date: 2003-10-06 Member: 21463Members
    If you believed that, you are among the other 90% of ns.org forumgoers. Don't feel ashamed. Do try to educate yourself, however.
  • LokusLokus Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2106Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-JediYoshi+Feb 18 2004, 08:28 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (JediYoshi @ Feb 18 2004, 08:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Adam Savage somehow reminds me of Gordon Freeman

    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The resemblance is eerie...

    Mythbusters is an awesome show, everyone can learn from it.
  • FatalflawFatalflaw Join Date: 2004-01-13 Member: 25278Members
    lol slightly off topic from this but funny so I thought I'd share =P

    One time at a local gas station here, about 2 years ago, me and my REALLY idiotic friend were , *gasp* pumping some gas, and he was screwing around with matches at the pump lol. I told him not to so he started to wave a lit one infront of my gas tank opening while the pump was going and wound up catching the pump and my car on fire. I grabbed the pump and took it off that auto fuel and snuffed out the flames quickly and then I couldnt decide to either run from the car or try to put it out lol. I made a stupid choice, what can I say, I was stilll in highschool. =P I decided to go into firefight mode, took a rag and snuffed out the flames just in time and really, literally decided and did, to beat the living sh** out of my friend. Not for endangering my life or his own, but for almost blowing up my car. *growls* no one touches my baby! lol
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    MythBusters is always right. I love that show, perfect in every way. The Cell phone thing's pretty dumb, didn't believe it from the begining. Wouldn't know why gas tanks go off though.
  • dr_ddr_d Join Date: 2003-03-28 Member: 14979Members
    In related news having britney spears ringtones causes braindamage and global warming.
  • AkfekaAkfeka Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 6991Members
    If you had a fake article to link to, it'd be more believable.
  • Speed_2_DaveSpeed_2_Dave Join Date: 2002-11-15 Member: 8788Members
    no offense, but static charge and gas stations is something the US Military warns their employees about (at least, at our base) every winter. They encourage grounding before pumping. No clue if it's real or not, but they do issue a warning.
  • BizZy_9mm_MessiahBizZy_9mm_Messiah Old School Member Join Date: 2003-07-25 Member: 18411Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-esuna+Feb 18 2004, 10:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (esuna @ Feb 18 2004, 10:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This is why gas stations here in the UK have signs saying "DO NOT USE MOBILE PHONES" on them. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yea they have those here to. But some MORONS like to ignore the sign and use their cellphones anyways. I remember a few months back my mom saw a korean taxi driver using his cellphone at the gas station, wow did she get ****. Well, lets just say she gave him a piece of her mind and left him gaping like he just won a ton of kimchi and yakimandu.
  • MoquiaoMoquiao Join Date: 2003-05-09 Member: 16168Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-esuna+Feb 19 2004, 04:52 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (esuna @ Feb 19 2004, 04:52 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This is why gas stations here in the UK have signs saying "DO NOT USE MOBILE PHONES" on them. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    LOL i guess thats too complex for some?
  • Bill_DoorBill_Door Join Date: 2003-01-04 Member: 11792Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Cpl.Davis+Feb 19 2004, 03:53 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Cpl.Davis @ Feb 19 2004, 03:53 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->lol that show on TLC called Myth Busters tested this expiriment on their show.

    They got the local fire dept to help out.

    They replicated a gas station and to make sure to increase the "danger" they filled this enclosed area with crap loads of gas fumes and stuff, way more than would be in the open air gas station area.

    Then they tested 2 things.

    Static electrity and cell phones.

    They made huge static charges go off inside and nothing.
    They also remote called a cell phone that was placed inside.  Still nothing.
    They pumped in more vaporised gas fumes.

    Still no affect. So this question of cell phones usage in gas stations was ruled false.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->Mythbusters messed up. They reduced the concentration of oxygen to below the minimum for explosion, rendering the test useless.
    Therefore they failed to prove anything execept that sufficintly high concentrations of fuel will smother fires.
  • Vulgar_MenaceVulgar_Menace Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22118Members
    We don't have any of those signs in Canada.
  • CommunistWithAGunCommunistWithAGun Local Propaganda Guy Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15953Members
    We need a cure for stupid
  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    Ahhhh they tested this on a tv show here in the uk called Braniac : Science abuse . They filled a caravan with a ton of petrol , put like 10 phones in them and set them off , did it work? ......did it heck <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> . So they got this dude to wear nylon clothing and stand in a bucket , move around alot to make some static and touched this wire leading to the caravan.........<span style='color:red'>BEWM!!!!!1111</span> <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • taboofirestaboofires Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9853Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Bill Door+Feb 19 2004, 07:26 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Bill Door @ Feb 19 2004, 07:26 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Cpl.Davis+Feb 19 2004, 03:53 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Cpl.Davis @ Feb 19 2004, 03:53 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->lol that show on TLC called Myth Busters tested this expiriment on their show.

    They got the local fire dept to help out.

    They replicated a gas station and to make sure to increase the "danger" they filled this enclosed area with crap loads of gas fumes and stuff, way more than would be in the open air gas station area.

    Then they tested 2 things.

    Static electrity and cell phones.

    They made huge static charges go off inside and nothing.
    They also remote called a cell phone that was placed inside.  Still nothing.
    They pumped in more vaporised gas fumes.

    Still no affect. So this question of cell phones usage in gas stations was ruled false.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->Mythbusters messed up. They reduced the concentration of oxygen to below the minimum for explosion, rendering the test useless.
    Therefore they failed to prove anything execept that sufficintly high concentrations of fuel will smother fires. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Half true. They reduced the gas concentrations on the second try (after burning off somebody's eyebrows back in the lab) and got the static discharge to detonate the gas. I'm not sure whether or not they tried the cell again, but I don't think so.

    A cell phone is no more dangerous than anything else that contains batteries (a source of electricity, and potentially a short/spart), including people's key fobs, or in the case of the Myth Busters episode some underwear rubbing on a car seat. EM radiation will not start a fire by itself.
  • dr_ddr_d Join Date: 2003-03-28 Member: 14979Members
    I wish this was true because I would sue the pants off Verizon as soon as me or my car was damaged at the pump.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-BizZy | 9mm Messiah+Feb 19 2004, 06:07 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BizZy | 9mm Messiah @ Feb 19 2004, 06:07 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-esuna+Feb 18 2004, 10:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (esuna @ Feb 18 2004, 10:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This is why gas stations here in the UK have signs saying "DO NOT USE MOBILE PHONES" on them. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yea they have those here to. But some MORONS like to ignore the sign and use their cellphones anyways. I remember a few months back my mom saw a korean taxi driver using his cellphone at the gas station, wow did she get ****. Well, lets just say she gave him a piece of her mind and left him gaping like he just won a ton of kimchi and yakimandu. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    They're not morons, they're smarter than everyone else.
  • dr_ddr_d Join Date: 2003-03-28 Member: 14979Members
    I've smoked and used my cell phone at gas stations, I just don't happen to be stupid enough to ash the cig into my gas tank.
  • TenSixTenSix Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7932Members
    If you need evidence that this is a myth, check out <a href='http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp' target='_blank'>this</a> article from Snopes. It included the exact text quoted here that is supposedly from Shell, the problem is Shell itself says it never issued that warning.
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    <!--QuoteBegin-dr.d+Feb 19 2004, 09:54 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dr.d @ Feb 19 2004, 09:54 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I wish this was true because I would sue the pants off Verizon as soon as me or my car was damaged at the pump. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You wouldn't get a dime, because there is a warning sign on the pump. That's the only reason the warning is there: So you can't sue if you hurt yourself.


    My dad still smokes while the engine is running in the vehicle he's pumping gas too, so he's too busy to answer his cell phone... :/
  • HawkeyeHawkeye Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1855Members
    WHATEVER YOU DO! DO NOT PUT HAIRDRYERS IN THE BATH TUB WITH YOU!!!

    <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    'nuff said.
  • FatalflawFatalflaw Join Date: 2004-01-13 Member: 25278Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Hawkeye+Feb 19 2004, 01:25 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Hawkeye @ Feb 19 2004, 01:25 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> WHATEVER YOU DO! DO NOT PUT HAIRDRYERS IN THE BATH TUB WITH YOU!!!

    <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    'nuff said. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    ONLY TOASTERS!!

    This concludes the public service announcment.

    *sings* the moooorree yooouuu knnnnoooowwwww.....
  • weggyweggy Join Date: 2003-06-04 Member: 16998Members
    Honestly, I dont see why people cant but down the cell phone for half a damn minute. Or just light up once you get back into your car and driving away. If people were completely alone in the gas station, I dont care. Natural Selection in process... let the inferior life forms die out for the superior ones to survive. But people are putting others at risk.

    Better safe than sorry.
  • dr_ddr_d Join Date: 2003-03-28 Member: 14979Members
    edited February 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Feb 19 2004, 01:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Feb 19 2004, 01:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-dr.d+Feb 19 2004, 09:54 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (dr.d @ Feb 19 2004, 09:54 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I wish this was true because I would sue the pants off Verizon as soon as me or my car was damaged at the pump. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You wouldn't get a dime, because there is a warning sign on the pump. That's the only reason the warning is there: So you can't sue if you hurt yourself.


    My dad still smokes while the engine is running in the vehicle he's pumping gas too, so he's too busy to answer his cell phone... :/ <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yes and we all know scalding hot coffee will burn you if you spill it yet she won the case against McDonalds.

    Verizion issues no such warnings with their phones, no such warnings in the instructions, and no such warnings anywhere in their tech support papers. So if this was true you could sue them even before anything happened for emotional trauma after finding out it was true because you had used your cell phone at a gas pump with no forward knowledge that it was dangerous.

    In case you can't tell I'm studying civil torts in school : P
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