Shell Oil Co. - A Cellphone Safety Alert

by Staff

The  Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which  mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.  Here are some reasons why they  don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and  storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas.


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, boats,  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 into 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 a static spark from their bodies from  sliding out of the vehicle.

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 you  should NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas.  If  you absolutely HAVE to get into 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, companies now are really trying to make the public aware of this  danger.

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.