Drivers Beware: Stopping Static Discharge Will Reduce Refueling Fires
In January 2000, the Petroleum Equipment Institute reported a sharp increase in refueling fires that could not be attributed to a running engine or cigarette smoking, the leading known causes of such fires. To date over 150 refueling fires have been documented that appear to have been caused by a discharge of static electricity.
Static electricity may build up when a driver re-enters the vehicle during fueling. When the driver then returns to the vehicle fill pipe during or at the end of refueling, the static may discharge at the fill point, potentially causing a flash fire or a small sustained fire from the gasoline refueling vapors.
The primary way drivers can avoid static electricity problems at the gas pump is to stay outside the vehicle while refueling. It may be a temptation to get back in the car when it’s cold. But the average fill-up takes only two minutes, and staying outside the vehicle will greatly minimize the likelihood of any build up of static electricity that could be discharged at the nozzle.
In the event a driver experiences a fire when refueling, leave the nozzle in the fill pipe of the vehicle and back away from the vehicle. Notify the station attendant immediately to shut off all dispensing devices and pumps with emergency controls. If the facility is unattended, use the emergency shutdown button to shut off the pump and use the emergency intercom to summon help.
Drivers who cannot avoid getting back into the vehicle during refueling should discharge any static away from the fill point upon exiting the car and before going back to the pump nozzle. Static may be safely discharged by touching a metal part of the vehicle, such as the door, or some other metal surface, with a bare hand.
