Another Safety Tips

7/28/2019 Another Safety Tips

1/21

May 2004

Static Electricity Fires How To Prevent Them

Funding, footage, reproduction and distribution for this educational initiative have been provided by Purdue University ExtensionConsumer & FamilySciences, OPW Fueling Components, Fowler Associates, Inc., Catlow Inc., and Husky Corporation.

This presentation is based on material developed by Cathy Burkett, Purdue Extension educator in Rush County, Indiana.

In cooperation with:


2/21

How to handle, store, and dispose ofgasoline safely

What static electricity is and how itcan affect refueling your vehicle

Safety guidelines on vehicle refuelingand gasoline storage

Static Electricity


3/21

What Is Gasoline -and How Should It Be Stored?

Liquid produces very flammable vapors

Store at room temperature Store away from heat sources


4/21

Handling & Storing Gasoline

Approved containers

Disposal Kitty litter, absorbent clay, paper, or rags

for minor spills

Approved containers for larger spills

NEVER dispose into garbage, drains,

toilets, or sewers

Long-term storage add stabilizer

Remove gasoline-soaked clothingimmediately


5/21

Precautionary Measures

Do NOT smoke or light matches where

gasoline is handled or stored Keep out of reach of children

Handle outdoors for ventilation Do NOTbreathe vapors

Keep containers tightly closed

Do NOT store gasoline in direct sunlight

Use as fuel only NOT as a cleaning

solvent


6/21

Precautionary Measures

Do NOT mix gasoline with kerosene

or diesel Store in a separate building, if possible

Refill lawn mower only when engineis COOL

Fill no more than 95% to allow

for expansion


7/21

Static Electricity

Caused by imbalance of electrons on

surface of material Most commonly caused by contact and

separation of materials

Shock occurs with transfer of static charge


8/21

How Do Refueling Fires Happen?

Static charge picked up when re-entering

vehicle Touching nozzle without discharging

static electricity

A spark ignites fumes


9/21

How Often Do They Occur?

Fires are reported to the Petroleum

Equipment Institute Web site Most static fires have been reported

since 1998

No one knows how many 175 have been

reported since 1992


10/21

Three Causes of Static Fires

50% happen when the refueler returns

to the vehicle during refueling 29% happen when the refueler unscrews

the gas cap

21% happen for unknown reasons


11/21

Why? Some Theories

Self-serve gas pumps

More electronics in cars Seat cover fabrics

Clothing worn by driver

Tires

More plastic parts on vehicle

More volatile fuels


12/21

Who Are the Victims?

78% are women who re-enter a vehicle to:

Return credit card to purse Get money out of purse

Check on the kids

Write a check

Get warm

Write down odometerreading

Use cell phone Apply lipstick


13/21

Safety Guidelines When Refueling

ALWAYS turn off vehicle when refueling

and shut-off any pilot lights or open flames

STAY near vehicle fueling port to avoid

hazardous spills

NEVER smoke, light matches, or use

lighters while refueling

NEVERprop open the refueling latch useonly the hold-open latch on the nozzle


14/21

Safety Guidelines When Refueling

ALWAYS turn off vehicle when refueling

and shut off any pilot lights or open flames


15/21

More Safety Guidelines

DO NOT get back into your car when

refueling

DO NOT top off your tank

If a flash fire occurs, back away, contact

attendant, and most important:

LEAVE NOZZLE IN VEHICLE


16/21

Guidelines for Gasoline Containers

Use only approved containers

Set gasoline containers on the ground,Do NOT leave in vehicle trunk or truck bed

Keep the nozzle in contact with the container

Fill the container slowly to decrease thechance of static electricity buildup and to

minimize spilling or spattering Always be mentally and physically equipped

to perform the refueling task.

Do NOT allow children to refuel.


17/21

Self-Service Pump Warning

This is a warning

sign that appearson pumps today


18/21

New Nozzle Signage

WARNING

Improper use may cause a hazardouscondition

No smoking/extinguish all flames

Avoid static hazard remain at nozzle

Do NOT top off

Licensed drivers only

Refer to posted warnings


19/21

New Pump Signage

Discharge your static electricity before fuelingby touching a metal surface away from

the nozzle. Do NOT re-enter your vehicle while gasoline

is pumping.

If a fire starts, Do NOT remove nozzle back away immediately.

Do NOT allow children under licensed age touse the pump.


20/21

Additional Information

Go online at:www.pei.org/static

www.api-ec.api.org click on Safety atthe Pump

www.static-sol.com click on StaticShocks and How to Avoid Them

A big thank you to Robert Renkes, executive vice president and general

counsel of the Petroleum Equipment Institute, and April Mason,

Associate Dean for Discovery and Engagement, Purdue University

School of Consumer and Family Sciences, for all of their

help and support in putting this program together.
http://www.pei.org/statichttp://www.api-ec.api.org/http://www.static-sol.com/http://www.static-sol.com/http://www.api-ec.api.org/http://www.pei.org/static


21/21

And Finally

Be alert and be safe when refueling!

Another Safety Tips

Documents

Transcript of Another Safety Tips