Subject: FW: Shell Oil Co. Announcement URGENT
>Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 08:33:51 -0500
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>This is very important, please read.
>Better safe than sorry....!!!!!
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>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.
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>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.)
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>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
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>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.
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>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".
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>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.
>
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