Static Electricity Fires –

How To Prevent Them

In cooperation with:

Funding, footage, reproduction and distribution for this educational initiative have been provided by Purdue University Extension—Consumer & Family
Sciences, OPW Fueling Components, Fowler Associates, Inc., Catlow Inc., and Husky Corporation.
This presentation is based on material developed by Cathy Burkett, Purdue Extension educator in Rush County, Indiana.
May 2004
Static Electricity

ƒ How to handle, store, and dispose of

gasoline safely
ƒ What static electricity is and how it
can affect refueling your vehicle
ƒ Safety guidelines on vehicle refueling
and gasoline storage
What Is Gasoline -
and How Should It Be Stored?
ƒ Liquid produces very flammable vapors
ƒ Store at room temperature
ƒ Store away from heat sources
Handling & Storing Gasoline

ƒ Approved containers
ƒ Disposal
ƒ Kitty litter, absorbent clay, paper, or rags
for minor spills
ƒ Approved containers for larger spills
ƒ NEVER dispose into garbage, drains,
toilets, or sewers
ƒ Long-term storage – add stabilizer
ƒ Remove gasoline-soaked clothing
immediately
Precautionary Measures

ƒ Do NOT smoke or light matches where

gasoline is handled or stored
ƒ Keep out of reach of children
ƒ Handle outdoors for ventilation –
Do NOT breathe vapors
ƒ Keep containers tightly closed
ƒ Do NOT store gasoline in direct sunlight
ƒ Use as fuel only – NOT as a cleaning
solvent
Precautionary Measures

ƒ Do NOT mix gasoline with kerosene

or diesel
ƒ Store in a separate building, if possible
ƒ Refill lawn mower only when engine
is COOL
ƒ Fill no more than 95% to allow
for expansion
Static Electricity

ƒ Caused by imbalance of electrons on

surface of material
ƒ Most commonly caused by contact and
separation of materials
ƒ Shock occurs with transfer of static charge
How Do Refueling Fires Happen?

ƒ Static charge picked up when re-entering

vehicle
ƒ Touching nozzle without discharging
static electricity
ƒ A spark ignites fumes
How Often Do They Occur?

ƒ Fires are reported to the Petroleum

Equipment Institute Web site
ƒ Most static fires have been reported
since 1998
ƒ No one knows how many – 175 have been
reported since 1992
Three Causes of Static Fires

ƒ 50% happen when the refueler returns

to the vehicle during refueling
ƒ 29% happen when the refueler unscrews
the gas cap
ƒ 21% happen for unknown reasons
Why? Some Theories –

ƒ Self-serve gas pumps

ƒ More electronics in cars
ƒ Seat cover fabrics
ƒ Clothing worn by driver
ƒ Tires
ƒ More plastic parts on vehicle
ƒ More volatile fuels
Who Are the Victims?

78% are women who re-enter a vehicle to:

ƒ Return credit card to purse
ƒ Get money out of purse
ƒ Check on the kids
ƒ Write a check
ƒ Get warm
ƒ Write down odometer
reading
ƒ Use cell phone
ƒ Apply lipstick
Safety Guidelines When Refueling

ƒ ALWAYS turn off vehicle when refueling

and shut-off any pilot lights or open flames
ƒ STAY near vehicle fueling port to avoid
hazardous spills
ƒ NEVER smoke, light matches, or use
lighters while refueling
ƒ NEVER prop open the refueling latch – use
only the hold-open latch on the nozzle
Safety Guidelines When Refueling

ƒ ALWAYS turn off vehicle when refueling

and shut off any pilot lights or open flames
More Safety Guidelines

ƒ DO NOT get back into your car when

refueling
ƒ DO NOT top off your tank
ƒ If a flash fire occurs, back away, contact
attendant, and most important:
LEAVE NOZZLE IN VEHICLE
Guidelines for Gasoline Containers

ƒ Use only approved containers

ƒ Set gasoline containers on the ground,
Do NOT leave in vehicle – trunk or truck bed
ƒ Keep the nozzle in contact with the container
ƒ Fill the container slowly to decrease the
chance of static electricity buildup and to
minimize spilling or spattering
ƒ Always be mentally and physically equipped
to perform the refueling task.
Do NOT allow children to refuel.
Self-Service Pump Warning

This is a warning
sign that appears
on pumps today
New Nozzle Signage

ƒ WARNING
ƒ Improper use may cause a hazardous
condition
ƒ No smoking/extinguish all flames
ƒ Avoid static hazard – remain at nozzle
ƒ Do NOT top off
ƒ Licensed drivers only
ƒ Refer to posted warnings
New Pump Signage

ƒ Discharge your static electricity before fueling

by touching a metal surface away from
the nozzle.
ƒ Do NOT re-enter your vehicle while gasoline
is pumping.
ƒ If a fire starts, Do NOT remove nozzle –
back away immediately.
ƒ Do NOT allow children under licensed age to
use the pump.
Additional Information

ƒ Go online at:
– www.pei.org/static
– www.api-ec.api.org click on Safety at
the Pump
– www.static-sol.com click on Static
Shocks and How to Avoid Them
A big thank you to Robert Renkes, executive vice president and general
counsel of the Petroleum Equipment Institute, and April Mason,
Associate Dean for Discovery and Engagement, Purdue University
School of Consumer and Family Sciences, for all of their
help and support in putting this program together.
And Finally

ƒ Be alert and be safe when refueling!