Shell Oil Report Must read

[E-Fishin-C]

Please send this information to ALL your family & friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen, they may not be able to get the children out in time.

 

MUST READ, EVEN IF YOU DON'T OWN A CAR.

 

Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!

 

Safety Alert!

Here are some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

[Marcarl]

Some very good thoughts there, maybe that's why some manufacturers put the filler on the right side of the vehicle?

But what do we do on a MC,,,,, stay on, get off, get off and walk around first, move away and let someone else fill it, add a grounding strap?????

 

Thanks Charlie

[BoomerCPO]

Some very good thoughts there, maybe that's why some manufacturers put the filler on the right side of the vehicle?

But what do we do on a MC,,,,, stay on, get off, get off and walk around first, move away and let someone else fill it, add a grounding strap?????

 

Thanks Charlie

 

For what its worth here is the procedure I use when gassing up the scoot.....

1) Turn Ignition switch to OFF....And turn OFF cell phone.

2) Dis-mount from bike.

3) Get pump ready to discharge fuel.

4) Remove gas cap from bike tank and insert fuel nozzle carefully.

5) Pump fuel needed to fill bike tank.

6) When tank is FULL remove fuel pump nozzle and carefully re-install gas cap.

7)Place fuel nozzle back on fuel pump.

8) Do rapid EXIT from gas station before pygmies can remount scoot.

Note: Never park the scoot close enough to the fuel pump so as to make it difficult for you to exit from the side of the scoot rapidly if need be.

Boomer....who sez keep an eye out for cagers who may NOT see you/scoot parked next to gas pump!

[straycatt]

While I appreciate the spirit with which this email is circulated, it is for the most part, hogwash.

I know that a lot of people are skeptical of "snopes.com" but they are usually spot on, and they have a lengthy report on this email (same exact wording) from 2002. Shell denies ever writing this warning.

 

http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp

 

Is gasoline vapor flammable? Of course, but you can actually put a match out in a cup of gas. (I'm not suggesting YOU do it, but I have). Common sense says, you have to question the vapor concentration that would be involved for a spark in someone's pocket to set it off.

 

Just yesterday I was filling up my scoot while talking on my cell to IC23B. No one tried to stop me and no conflagration ensued. However. As with any flammable, a measure of care is advisable. If you've ever had a crotch full of gasoline, you know how much it burns without even catching fire. For that reason alone I won't fill up any motorcycle sitting on it. But A little common sense goes a long way further than blind fear and paranoia.

[rumboogy]

Snopes BUSTED!!

http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp

 

 

However, the email is not entirely without some merit. The cellphone thing is a BUST, but the cautions against static electricity and smoking while fueling should be heeded and are a great reminder about safety while refueling your bike or other vehicles.

[jlh3rd]

static electricty...true......putting a match out in a cup of gas..i'd have to see that cause the match flame would ignite the vapors before it hit the liquid..throwing gas on a lit match, maybe.......now, putting a cigarette out in a cup of gas, or throwing gas on a cigarette and putting it out, i've seen it done.........

[BoomerCPO]

True or not there's nothing wrong with reminding riders to use caution at any/all gas stations and fueling up. Several years ago I witnessed a rider being killed when a cager ran into him and his scoot as he was filling up his bike.

Too often we riders take it for granted that nothing bad can/will happen to us when we are out there. IMHO any reminder which helps us refocus on maintaining our safety is a good thing.

Boomer.....who sez hauling drunken pygmies around can keep yer pucker-factor high and tight.

[straycatt]

.....putting a match out in a cup of gas..i'd have to see that cause the match flame would ignite the vapors before it hit the liquid.. ......

 

An inch of gas in the bottom of a cup, yes it will ignite because the vapors collect on the empty part of the cup and you have to pass the match thru that collection of vapor.

A, full to the top cup gives the vapor nowhere to accumulate. No concentration of vapor, no flame.

 

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Burns hurt like hell, and if you live, the scars last forever. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

 

As part of my job I've been to training on flammable gasses and liquids. The concentrations that are required for combustion of various materials are rather specific and fairly narrow.

 

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/explosive-concentration-limits-d_423.html

 

In no way am I suggesting not being cautious. Just be cautious of the things that need caution. Education is the key, if you are going to play with things that can kill or injure you.

 

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

I am not sure if you see the show "mythbusters" in the USA but I know they did a segment on this "myth" They could not create a fire with gasoline fumes and a cell phone.

 

Yes I can see the possibility that the static electrical spark. I do know when I get in and out of my wifes chev express van I get a good spark.

 

As an experienced gas fitter I know that the conditions have to just right to get any fuel vapor to ignite. Too much air or too much fuel and you get no fire.

 

The gas pumps around here are not able to be "locked" on. You have to manually hold the trigger, if you will, they removed the locks years ago when the self serve was started. Now we also have to pay for our fuel before the pump will dispense the fuel. This is due to the death of a young fuel station worker in our area whos' family petitioned the government and got what is called "Grants Law" created.

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2006LCS0015-001193.htm

[Monty]

It is all true, except for the cell phone thing...that is a load of bull.

 

As a former Firefighter, I was brought up to speed on extensive testing, and just plain old statistics. Cell phones won't cause an explosion. Getting in and out of your car can, and has caused many explosions/fires, due to the static discharge.

[Squeeze]

A Cell Phone can't cause a Fire while normal operation.

 

 

But dropping it while your talking and the Battery loosing Contact will give a you a rather big Spark ...

[BuddyRich]

We did a training video on refueling (everything from aircraft to fuel cans) in the USAF way back when. It was titled "Great Balls of Fire" with the same song as the lead in. Your biggest problem when refueling anything is Static Electricity. The fuel itself running down the neck of the filler will create static. Several things to remember. ALWAYS keep the nozzle in contact with the filler neck. ALWAYS refuel a can sitting on the ground. The colder and dryer it gets the more static becomes a problem. Static will discharge (spark) when the two bodies are at different electrical levels hence the reason for keeping the nozzle in contact.

Don't

[bj66]

My dad tells the story of a neighbor who years ago was coming home from town. Since we live in a rural area along a township gravel road, the neighbor decided to burn the old grass and weeds out of the ditch. Since it was springtime the grass would come back thicker. Anyway he stopped his vehicle, got out a 5 gallon can of gas, drizzled out a tiny bit to get it started. He then moved the can a safe distance away before starting the fire. Before he lit the fire he took off his good dress leather jacket and layed it over the can to keep it out of the dirt. He didnt realize the can had a tiny leak (metal) anyway the fire burnt back to the can catching everything around it on fire. The neighbor wanted to get his coat but was afraid the can would blow. He sat and watched helplessly as the fire burnt the coat right off the top of the can. The can never did blow up, not enough vapor.

[straycatt]

This thread reminds me of the popular myth about car fires.

The very first thing someone will yell at the scene of an automobile fire is "Look out, run, it's going to blow." Now I've been to only a dozen or so car fires and one backhoe fire, but not one has ever blown up.

 

So, I asked some firefighter friends for the real story and this is what they said...

Cars rarely, if ever, blow up when on fire. Total Hollywood hype. If they have a plastic fuel tank, the fire will increase at an extreme rate when it melts thru, but it will not explode.

 

The real danger in car fires is the bumper shocks on some cars. As the fire heats these shocks, the pressure inside can build quickly and dramatically to the point where that pressure will blow the bumper assembly right off the car.

This is why firefighters don't approach vehicle fires directly from the front or back. Many firefighters have been injured in this way.

[KiteSquid]

This thread reminds me to do some research before forwarding emails....