Subject: FW: Shell Oil Co. Announcement URGENT >Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 08:33:51 -0500 > > > > > > >This is very important, please read. >Better safe than sorry....!!!!! > >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. You can find out more information by going to > http://www.pei.org . Once here, click in the center >of the screen where >it says "Stop Static". > >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. Thanks for passing this along. >

http://www.pei.org