Vehicle service station pumps usually have warning signs posted about the danger of static ignition. The signs have instructions on how to reduce the chance of it happening. The gasoline nozzles also have warnings that can be read while you are filling the tank. One warning says to keep your hand on the nozzle while filling the tank. Do not set the nozzle on automatic fill and leave it to go get something out of the car, or to go into the store, or whatever.
This is because while you are sliding across the car seat or walking around, you can build up a static charge that is different from the one that is building up on the nozzle. Then, when you return to the nozzle and touch it, if the difference between the static charge on the nozzle and the one on you is great enough, a static discharge will occur. This creates an electric arc between your hand and the nozzle. If the electric arc has enough energy, and if other conditions are right, the gasoline fumes will ignite.
Also, if you are filling a portable gasoline can, place it on the ground first. If you fill the can without first removing it from your truck bed or car trunk and placing it on the ground, you are courting the possibility of static ignition.
This is a photograph of a warning on a gasoline pump at a service station near my home.
This is a photograph of the warning on the gasoline nozzle:
1 comment:
"This creates an electric arc between your hand and the nozzle. If the electric arc has enough energy, and if other conditions are right, the gasoline fumes will ignite."
Is this slightly less likely with the vapor recovery systems that are built into the nozzle handle in ozone non-attainment cities like Houston and surrounding counties? Do these significantly reduce the gasoline vapors around the nozzle. Just wondering. I usually leave the gas running while I clean the windows which results in me shimmying all around the car.
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