PEI: Stop Static Campaign & Safe Refueling Guidelines
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The American Petroleum Institute and the Petroleum Equipment Institute
Media Release from September 13, 2002, are advising the public on how
to avoid potential problems with static electricity at the gas pump.
The groups also are encouraging motorists to follow all safe refueling
practices with every fill-up.
Three Quick Rules for Safely Refueling While filling up...
a) Turn Off Engine
b) Don't Smoke
c) Never Re-enter Your Vehicle
See below for the complete:
Safe Refueling And Fuel Handling Guidelines For Consumers
ABOUT THE PEI STOP STATIC PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPAIGN
Stop Static is a public safety campaign intended to increase awareness
of the potential danger posed by the discharge of static electricity.
PEI and API have joined forces to offer consumers their Safe Refueling
Guidelines.
In January of 2000 the Petroleum Equipment Institute began a process
of documenting automotive refueling fires. This was prompted by a
sharp increase of incidents 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
be caused by a discharge of static electricity.
PEI AND API MEDIA RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Susan L. Hahn
hahns at api.org
202/682-8118
Petroleum Equipment Institute
Robert Renkes
rrenkes at pei.org
918/494-9696
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September 2002
Stop Static and Refuel Safely with Every Fill-up
WASHINGTON, September 23 - The American Petroleum Institute and the
Petroleum Equipment Institute announced today they are joining
together beginning with National Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12,
to remind motorists how to avoid potential problems with static
electricity at the gas pump. The groups also are encouraging motorists
to follow all safe refueling practices with every fill-up.
Fall brings cool, dry air to many parts of the country - the typical
climatic conditions when static electricity build-up is most likely to
occur. Static electricity may build up when a motorist re-enters the
vehicle during fueling. When the motorist 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 with gasoline refueling vapors.
Static electricity-related fires at retail gasoline outlets are
extremely unusual, according to API and PEI, but in rare
circumstances, these incidents have caused a few injuries and property
damage.
The primary way consumers 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 its cold, or for any number of
reasons. 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 rare event a motorist experiences a fire when refueling, leave
the nozzle in the fill pipe of your 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. Leaving the pump nozzle
in the vehicle will prevent any fire from becoming much more
dangerous.
Motorists who cannot avoid getting back into the vehicle during
refueling should discharge any static away from the fill point upon
exiting the car before going back to the pump nozzle. Static may
safely be discharged by touching a metal part of the vehicle, such as
the vehicle door, or some other metal surface, with a bare hand.
Consumers can minimize these and other potential fueling hazards by
following safe refueling procedures all year long. For more
information on avoiding potential problems with static electricity
build-up at the pump, and other safe motor fuel refueling, storage and
handling guidelines see APIs web site at www.api.org/consumer, and
PEIs web site at www.pei.org/static.
The joint public awareness campaign by API and PEI will include
distribution of audio and video news releases on avoiding potential
static problems. These broadcast releases are planned for distribution
to television and radio news outlets nationwide for use in October.
Similar news advisories including additional safe refueling and fuel
handling guidelines will be distributed to a variety of magazines and
newspapers for use during the last quarter of the year.
Public awareness information also will be introduced in a special
education program for attendees at the Petroleum Equipment Institutes
annual convention and trade show October 5-8 at the Orange County
Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. PEI's Convention is being held
concurrently with the National Association of Convenience Stores
(NACS) annual trade show, The NACS Show, also at the Orange County
Convention Center. Approximately 25,000 attendees are expected for
that combined three-day event which is the convenience store and
petroleum marketing industrys largest trade show. PEIs special
education sessions, including the Focus on Static session, will be
open to this targeted audience which includes wholesale and retail
gasoline station owners and operators nationwide. About 80 percent of
the motor fuels sold in the U.S. are purchased at convenience stores.
SAFE REFUELING AND FUEL HANDLING GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMERS
Here are consumer refueling and fuel safety guidelines that will help
keep you and your family safe when refueling your vehicle or filling
up gasoline storage containers:
* Turn off your vehicle engine while refueling. Put your vehicle in
park and/or set the emergency brake. Disable or turn off any
auxiliary sources of ignition such as a camper or trailer heater,
cooking units, or pilot lights.
* Do not smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling at the
pump or when using gasoline anywhere else.
* Use only the refueling latch provided on the gasoline dispenser
nozzle, never jam the refueling latch on the nozzle open.
* Do not re-enter your vehicle during refueling.
* In the unlikely event a static-caused fire occurs when refueling,
leave the nozzle in the fill pipe and back away from the vehicle.
Notify the station attendant immediately.
* Do not over-fill or top-off your vehicle tank, which can cause
gasoline spillage.
* Avoid prolonged breathing of gasoline vapors. Use gasoline only in
open areas that get plenty of fresh air. Keep your face away from
the nozzle or container opening.
* When dispensing gasoline into a container, use only an approved
portable container and place it on the ground when refueling to
avoid a possible static electricity ignition of fuel vapors.
Containers should never be filled while inside a vehicle or its
trunk, the bed of a pickup truck or the floor of a trailer.
* Only store gasoline in approved containers as required by federal
or state authorities. Never store gasoline in glass or any other
unapproved containers.
* When filling a portable container, manually control the nozzle
valve throughout the filling process. Fill a portable container
slowly to decrease the chance of static electricity buildup and
minimize spilling or splattering.
* Fill container no more than 95 percent full to allow for
expansion.
* Place cap tightly on the container after filling - do not use
containers that do not seal properly.
* If gasoline spills on the container, make sure that it has
evaporated before you place the container in your vehicle. Report
spills to the attendant.
* When transporting gasoline in a portable container make sure it is
secured against tipping and sliding, and never leave it in direct
sunlight or in the trunk of a car.
* Never siphon gasoline by mouth nor put gasoline in your mouth for
any reason. Gasoline can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. If
someone swallows gasoline, do not induce vomiting. Contact a
doctor immediately.
* Keep gasoline away from your eyes and skin; it may cause
irritation. Remove gasoline-soaked clothing immediately.
* Use gasoline as a motor fuel only. Never use gasoline to wash your
hands or as a cleaning solvent.
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For more information, please visit
PEI: Stop Static Central Public Safety Campaign
PEI: Stop Static Media Releases
PEI: Safe Refueling and Fuel Handling Guidelines for Consumers
For more information, please contact
USA
Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI)
Robert Renkes, Press Release
Tel +1 918 494 9696
E-mail: rrenkes at pei.org
Website: http://www.pei.org
USA
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Susan L. Hahn, Press Release
Tel +1 202 682 8118
E-mail: hahns at api.org
Website: http://www.api.org
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Last Updated: December 15, 2005