I received an e-mail about static electricity starting fires at gas stations. Is it true?
Yes. PEI (Petroleum Equipment Institute) has investigated incidents where static electricity has caused injuries and property damage.
Are cell phones unsafe?
PEI has not documented any cases of cellular phones causing fires at gas stations. This report has nothing to do with cell phones whatsoever.
Do those rubber boots on the gas pump help?
Some metropolitan areas mandate the use of evaporative vapor recovery equipment. This is most commonly identified by a large rubber boot attached to the gas pump nozzle. PEI findings indicate that vapor recovery systems with such a device greatly reduce the risk of static-related ignition.
Why does my car shock me?
Most static buildup is due to movement between yourself and the car seat. Your car also builds up static electricity as it moves though the air. There is also evidence the materials used in "high mileage" tires contributes to the problem.
Are rubber-soled shoes safer?
No. Rubber soles insulate the wearer which makes it more difficult to discharge static buildup to the ground.
Why aren't there any warning labels on the pump?
Regulations and labeling requirements are usually the jurisdiction of local fire authorities.
Does this only apply to gasoline?
Not necessarily. The only incidents PEI has documented involve gasoline. Compressed natural gas refueling does not normally involve any concentrated vapors so that would also be an unlikely event. The higher flash point of diesel makes such an occurence unlikely but not impossible, especially in hot weather.
Why can't I get back in my car?
Don't get back in while you're gassing up. This can create a static buildup that will cause a spark when you touch the gas pump. Most of the incidents we have investigated involve the driver starting the pump, getting back into their car, and when the driver gets back out of the car to remove the nozzle, static is generated when they slide across the seat and a spark may occur when they reach for the nozzle.
Is it safe for passengers to stay in the car?
Assuming YOU don't get back in the car, that's probably the safest place for passengers to be. If one of your passengers does need to get out of the car while you are refueling they should avoid touching the gas nozzle. In the event they need to operate the pump we recommend they touch a metal portion of your car BEFORE touching the nozzle.
What if I need to get back in my car while refueling?
Before reaching for the nozzle touch a metal part of your car that is NOT near the fuel tank area. Touching a metal portion of your car will dissipate any static charge that you may have built up while filling up.
Can this happen to motorcycles?
Probably not. PEI has not documented any incidents involving motorcycles and static-related ignition.
What should I do if there is a fire?
If a fire does occur, don't panic. Do not remove the nozzle from the gas tank. Back away from the car and immediately tell the station attendant so they can operate the emergency shut-off and a fire extinguisher.
Are plastic gas cans safe?
Yes, but they should always be placed on the ground when filling. Never fill any portable container (regardless of material) while it is inside your car or pickup bed.
Why not just ground the pump/hose/nozzle?
They should be. Standards call for continuity between the dispenser and nozzle. The issue here is an electrical difference of potential between the person refueling and the vehicle. They have created a static charge between their body and their car, which may not be discharged by touching another grounded object.
Why is it dangerous to leave your car running?
Many people believe this safety warning only applies to older cars. That is not true. A running car presents a number of "ignition sources" for fuel vapor. The exhaust components of a modern car can literally glow red hot during normal operation. The typical ignition system creates voltages above 40,000 volts.
But, turning off your engine while refueling isn't just to prevent your car from starting a fire. There is also a safety issue in the event of fire, regardless of the source. In case a fire does occur in a gas station, a running car is a danger. Imagine that fire burns through one of the rubber fuel hoses under your running car. Most fuel pumps deliver gasoline at about 15 to 40 pounds per square inch (PSI). Your fuel pump is now spraying a tremendous amount of gasoline at an open flame.
Why not remove the hold-open latches?
Some states and countries do not allow the automatic nozzle latch that clicks off when your tank is full. This is intended to eliminate unattended refueling.
Unfortunately, accidents occurs when consumers attempt to fabricate their own makeshift latches. The most severe case was the victim who jammed the nozzle open with his disposable lighter.
Removing the latches in the 70's from an economic perspective:
Officially, the restriction was a safety measure designed to prevent gasoline spills, but the real purpose "was to preserve jobs by making self-serve stations less attractive to customers"(as per Dave Sykuta; executive director of the Illinois Petroleum Institute).
Will the pump shut-off if the lever stays fully engaged?
Yes. Automatic nozzles are required on all gas pumps. Automatic nozzles provide a positive shut-off, even if held in wide-open position by the user. Automatic nozzles contain a pressure detecting module which in turn shuts off the flow of product. Some nozzles are even designed to shut-off automatically when the spout is tipped up, limiting spillage (Never pull the nozzle out of the inlet while lever is engaged).
Is the GasClamp made from plastic?
No. Plastic carrys a high electric charge. (See next Q&A)
Will the GasClamp discharge the static electricity I am carrying before I pump gas?
No. The product is Anti-static. Anti-static materials ARE NOT defined by resistance or resistivity. Anti-static refers to the property of material that inhibits triboelectric charging. A material's antistatic characteristic is not necessarily correlated with its resistivity or resistance. A GasClamp is a product that is non-conductive to electric charges. It is made of an Anti-Static glass-filled polymer with a static-resistant additive and brass hinge pins.
Sources: Petroleum Equipment Institute Eric Zorn- Chicago Tribune
