Static electricity hazard while pumping gasoline

[aczlan]

I'd be more grateful if you pulled up your britches before bending over. :dance1:
But i noticed she didn't just run away, she shut the pump off. That's pretty gutsy.

If anyone does that, I would recommend that you hit the switch/lever to make it think that the hose has been put back so the pump shuts off BEFORE you reach for the handle to shut it off...

I know a little bit about grounding in general, but not gas pumps in particular (from a hard-core engineering standpoint). The "rubber" fuel hose could be made to be fairly conductive electrically, but I don't know for sure if it is or isn't.

I think the fuel hose has a braided sleeve for abrasion resistance as well serving as a ground path.

Yep.

Aaron Z

 

[cqaigy2]

Good point Aaron Z, When or if a fire starts, shut the hose off at the pump, probably best not to mess with the hose at all.

 

[Soundguy]

Same here, I have been doing the exact same thing since I learned about ESD in the late 70's..

yep.. most people don't think about this if they have never had esd training.

 

[3930dave]

I think the fuel hose has a braided sleeve for abrasion resistance as well serving as a ground path.

Makes sense, and that's what I'd expect - just never checked the specs yet, so wasn't about to speculate. I'd get funny looks at a gas station if I pulled out my ohm-meter !

Lies, darn lies, and statistics... yeah, I know. If you asked those Snopes 150, I'm sure you'd hear a lot of "I had no idea....." comments, and they probably aren't lying.

No, it is not a common occurrence - vapour density, humidity, and other local conditions have to align for ignition. Personally, not odds I'd like to play with though, given the consequences.

The 150 is probably under-reported somewhat, given the # of accidents that never get reports filed. But, even at that #, how many general product safety recalls get issued because of just a few dozen events - many, if the news reporting can be believed.

As I said earlier, this issue may be too fine a distinction for many..... a buddy of mine was talking about seeing people on the West Coast filling up water jugs (blue ones, with the white spigot at the bottom, and white vent plug at the top of the end/face) with gasoline at a station. The attendant was helping the customer lift it into the vehicle.

Rdgs, D.

 

[Midniteoyl]

If anyone does that, I would recommend that you hit the switch/lever to make it think that the hose has been put back so the pump shuts off BEFORE you reach for the handle to shut it off...


Yep.

Aaron Z

There is a BIG RED BUTTON to shut off fuel flow to the pumps.. Every station has them. Look for it next time and keep its location in mind. The stations i frequent usually have one per island.

 

[3930dave]

There is a BIG RED BUTTON to shut off fuel flow to the pumps.. Every station has them. Look for it next time and keep its location in mind. The stations i frequent usually have one per island.

Like noting the fire exits when checking into a hotel, you describe a good practice that is easy to overlook.

Rgds, D.

 

[aczlan]

There is a BIG RED BUTTON to shut off fuel flow to the pumps.. Every station has them. Look for it next time and keep its location in mind. The stations i frequent usually have one per island.

Yep, but if it is your car, it will be faster to hit the "the nozzle is back in" lever/door, especially if you have kids in the car to get out.

Aaron Z

 

[Midniteoyl]

Yep, but if it is your car, it will be faster to hit the "the nozzle is back in" lever/door, especially if you have kids in the car to get out.

Aaron Z

Most pumps now require the pump actually be inserted back to turn off. The days of the 'lever' are going away...

 

[aczlan]

Most pumps now require the pump actually be inserted back to turn off. The days of the 'lever' are going away...

Around here, there is a lever that you lift/lower or there is a flap that the nozzle pushes into. If you push on the flap with your hand, it will shut off the flow of gas as it thinks that you put the nozzle back in.
You can sort of see the flap in this picture:


Aaron Z

 

[PhysAssist]

Around here, there is a lever that you lift/lower or there is a flap that the nozzle pushes into. If you push on the flap with your hand, it will shut off the flow of gas as it thinks that you put the nozzle back in.
You can sort of see the flap in this picture:
View attachment 330748

Aaron Z

Hey Aaron,

As you know, you are correct sir!

This is slightly off topic, but I noticed that at our local BJ's gas pumps, there is a lot of siphoning or whatever going on after you turn off that switch by pushing on the flap, before eventually the handle switch clicks like it does when your tank is full, or the nozzle gets feedback from foaming.

So when I am done filling (if no one is waiting behind me) I leave the nozzle in the filler opening, trip the switch, and then squeeze the handle until it trips, getting sometimes 4 oz or more (my estimate) before the click.

This also keeps gas from dripping out of the nozzle when replacing it.

YMMV,
Thomas

 

[Soundguy]

Around here, there is a lever that you lift/lower or there is a flap that the nozzle pushes into. If you push on the flap with your hand, it will shut off the flow of gas as it thinks that you put the nozzle back in.
You can sort of see the flap in this picture:
View attachment 330748

Aaron Z

ditto that. the flap is common here.. and it does work to shut the pump down as it thinks the nozzle is back in the cradle.

funny thing. last night i was getting diesel.. and happend to look around the island. i could not for the life of me see the emergency fuel shut down 'red' button. before i left i even looked on the 2 sides of the building. only place i did not look was in the back of the building. I thought that it was odd to not be out in plain site??

 

[Midniteoyl]

What, only 87 octane?

 

[JasG]

Hey Aaron,

As you know, you are correct sir!

This is slightly off topic, but I noticed that at our local BJ's gas pumps, there is a lot of siphoning or whatever going on after you turn off that switch by pushing on the flap, before eventually the handle switch clicks like it does when your tank is full, or the nozzle gets feedback from foaming.

So when I am done filling (if no one is waiting behind me) I leave the nozzle in the filler opening, trip the switch, and then squeeze the handle until it trips, getting sometimes 4 oz or more (my estimate) before the click.

This also keeps gas from dripping out of the nozzle when replacing it.

YMMV,
Thomas

This is what I have always done filling anything, be it at a gas station or the farm diesel pump.

 

[JasG]

There is a BIG RED BUTTON to shut off fuel flow to the pumps.. Every station has them. Look for it next time and keep its location in mind. The stations i frequent usually have one per island.

Never seen this or any emergency shut off out side at a fuel station in NY and even looked today. I would think it would be in plain site or marked.

Most pumps now require the pump actually be inserted back to turn off. The days of the 'lever' are going away...

As Aaron pointed out, the pumps at least in NY and other states I have traveled you can use your hand to shut off the pump. Be it a lift lever or a flap that the nozzle pushes against. It is possible each state has different standards and different pumps and safety devices.

I have seen since the thread was started warning stickers on each pump about static and fueling cans on the ground.

 

[3930dave]

The central red kill switch likely is determined by provincial or state legislation. Unfortunately, that legislation was probably the result of a major fire.

We have them in Ontario, as one USA poster described, usually one per island, in the centre. Good design, if a pump/vehicle is going up in flames, really nice to be able to shut things off from 6+ feet away.

Same reasoning for fire extinguishers near room/building exits - clearly identifiable, and can be used at your discretion once you are in a safe(r) position.

I'm going to make a point of checking for switch locations, esp. when traveling.

Rgds, D.

 

[cqaigy2]

I've always been in the habit of grounding myself. I think it's from growing up in a cold dry climate. Seems like most of the cut off switches i've seen around here are right out in front of the minimart.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Never seen this or any emergency shut off out side at a fuel station in NY and even looked today. I would think it would be in plain site or marked.



As Aaron pointed out, the pumps at least in NY and other states I have traveled you can use your hand to shut off the pump. Be it a lift lever or a flap that the nozzle pushes against. It is possible each state has different standards and different pumps and safety devices.

I have seen since the thread was started warning stickers on each pump about static and fueling cans on the ground.

Guess Im gonna have to take a pic or something..

 

[Midniteoyl]

Never seen this or any emergency shut off out side at a fuel station in NY and even looked today. I would think it would be in plain site or marked.



As Aaron pointed out, the pumps at least in NY and other states I have traveled you can use your hand to shut off the pump. Be it a lift lever or a flap that the nozzle pushes against. It is possible each state has different standards and different pumps and safety devices.

I have seen since the thread was started warning stickers on each pump about static and fueling cans on the ground.

Guess Im gonna have to take a pic or something..

 

[JasG]

I don't doubt you have them. I just think each state has different standards. Now in other states I have never looked for a safety shut off, but each pump I have ever used I can shut off with my hand.

 

[3930dave]

NJ has their legislation online. It references some national codes.

I've seen a few small no-name stations here where they have one red shutoff switch on the outside of the attendants small booth, instead of out on the pump islands.

Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act and Regulations


"12:196-1.7 Remote emergency shut-off

(a) A clearly identified and easily accessible switch(es) or circuit breaker(s) shall be provided at a location remote from dispensing devices.

The devices shall be used to shut-off the power in conformance with article 514 of the National Electrical Code (National Fire Protection Association (NFPA-70) and NFPA-30A, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, to all dispensing devices in the event of an emergency, or when an individual other than an attendant attempts to operate the pump."

Rgds, D.