Static Dangers at the Pump

woai ^

[chance33_98]

Static Dangers at the Pump

We all know using a cell phone can be dangerous when driving. Now you may want to hang up your cell phone before pulling up to a gas pump. News Four WOAI Trouble Shooter Brian Collister explains.

You may have seen warnings on the gas pumps showing not to use your cell phone. Here's why: The dangers of static electricity at fuel pumps are well documented. Just a tiny charge picked up while brushing against a car seat can spark disaster.

So what if your cell phone comes into contact with gas fumes? We discovered it can be an explosive combination.

"Triple A" spokesperson Robert Sinclair explains. "There's a remote possibility that using a cell phone could create some sort of spark that could ignite those vapors and the gasoline those vapors are coming from."

Remote is the key word here. While there have been thousands of documented static fires - there's no record of a cell phone ignition. But, this hasn't prevented major cell phone manufacturers like Nokia from posting a warning in their instruction manuals.

The best advice - don't risk it. Avoid holding cell phones when you’re filling up, just to be safe.

[chance33_98]

"There's a remote possibility that using a cell phone could create some sort of spark that could ignite those vapors and the gasoline those vapors are coming from."

He seems unsure of himself.

[Constitution Day]

[Eala]

Looks like the old "publish or perish" principle is driving "News Four WOAI Trouble Shooter Brian Collister".

[Constitution Day]

From Safe Refueling FAQ by the Petroleum Equipment Institute [PEI]

Q: Are cell phones unsafe?

A: PEI has not documented any cases of cellular phones causing fires at gas stations. Our report has nothing to do with cell phones whatsoever, but we have posted links to information on this myth under Related Info.

(my emphasis)

[Fzob]

Cell phones causing fires while gassing up are an urban legend. There are no documented cases of a cell phone triggering a fire.

The greatest danger is re-entering the car because you then can build up a static charge, that gets discharged if you touch the pump handle.

[xrp]

I'd heard about these things before. Last week while gassing up, I caught some static electricity from the gas pump handle and I didn't blow up, thankfully.

[renosathug]

The best advice - don't risk it. Avoid holding cell phones when you’re filling up, just to be safe.

Even better advice--stay home. Avoid ALL danger.

[KneelBeforeZod]

did you ever see the MacGuyver where the bank robbers had a remote mountain hideaway....they were refilling their truck with gas gans and MacGuyver threw a cell phone over there and blew up everything.

they guys got blasted about 20 feet into the air, but only had scrapes and bruises.

[Maceman]

TLC has a show called "Mythbusters." They did a segment on this issue, in which the hosts did numerous controlled laboratory experiments trying to set off a mixture of air and gas fumes using a cell phone, and were unsuccessful every time. Their conclusion is that it is virtually impossible to ignite a gas pump fire using a cell phone.

[mewzilla]

LOL. If only folks were this concerned about cell phone use while they're driving...

[tm22721]

As a result the Feds will be requiring all motorists to use a static wrist strap before filling up.

BUMP

[chance33_98]

did you ever see the MacGuyver where the bank robbers had a remote mountain hideaway....they were refilling their truck with gas gans and MacGuyver threw a cell phone over there and blew up everything.

Sounds like this guy was an avid fan of the show :)

[boris]

The show "Mythbusters" demonstrated that a cell phone cannot cause a gas-station explosion.

Women, however are twice as likely to cause a gas-station fire than are men.

The reason: they get into and out of the car much more often than do men. Doing so, they build up static charges. If they happen to ground themselves through a metallic part near the nozzle, kablooie.

Forget cell phones, and stay outside the vehicle while fueling.

--Boris