How common are fires at gas stations?
According to the National Fire Protection Association, every year more than 5000 gas station fires are reported in the US. These fires cause plenty of damage. Talking in numbers, on an average, gas station fires cause 48 civilian injuries, 2 civilian deaths, and $20 million in property damage every year.
How often do fires happen at gas stations?
About 100 static-sparked fires occur at gas stations each year, according to Fowler Associates, a Moore, S.C.-based electrostatic research and consulting firm. The fires most often result from easily avoidable mistakes committed by a driver while fueling.
How do gas stations prevent fires?
Don’t smoke, light matches, or use lighters anywhere near gasoline pumps. Extinguish smoking materials before getting out of the vehicle. Shut off cellular phones and other electronic devices while refueling. The Petroleum Equipment Institute has no documented cases of these devices causing fires at gasoline station.
What happens when there’s a fire at a gas station?
If a flash fire occurs during refueling, you should leave the nozzle in the vehicle fill pipe and back away from the vehicle. Notify the station attendant at once so that all dispensing devices and pumps can be shut off with emergency controls.
Can a cell phone cause a fire at a gas station?
Nope. While gas stations have posted warnings against cell phone use, and urban legends recount fires started by cell phones at gas tanks, there has been no documented case of a cell phone starting a fire at a gas station [source: Petroleum Equipment Institute].
Why is smoking not allowed in petrol stations?
Petrol is a flammable subtance which also has a low ignition temprature. the sparks from the cigarette can move towards the petrol which can cause a huge fire which is not easily doused.
What are the dangers of static electricity at petrol stations?
Highly inflammable vapours are immediately produced which can be ignited by sparks of static electricity from the turning on of electronic equipment (mobile phones, remote controls, etc.) or by the ignition of the vehicle itself.
How do gas stations prevent static electricity?
When dispensing gasoline into a container, use only an approved portable container and place it on the ground 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.
Can a petrol station explode?
There are incidents of fires and explosions at petrol stations, most notably in the USA. Very strangely, for the layman (and even for many who’s job is putting out and understanding fires) it is possible for a small charge to ignite petrol on a forecourt, sometimes leading to an explosion.
Can a car explode while pumping gas?
Probably not. While there is a minimal chance of a fire occurring, leaving the engine running increases the chance of gas vapors igniting if they come in contact with static electricity. “The fire risk is that the fumes burn, not the liquid. This could lead to an explosion.”
Is using phone at petrol station Illegal?
Generally, there is no need to restrict the use of mobile telephones in other areas of the forecourt, such as in the shop, in parked motor vehicles or in other traffic-free, non-hazardous areas.
Can a cigarette ignite gas station?
When gasoline goes up in flames, the fumes from the liquid are the main burning agent. When the liquid isn’t in a contained space, like the open air of a gas station, it would be nearly impossible for the lit cigarette to ignite those fumes.
Why are petrol stations at risk of fire?
Because of the flammability of petrol vapours, service stations carry a risk of fire or explosion not common to other types of retail outlets. Ignition of petrol vapours can happen if vapour comes into contact with a heat source capable of igniting it.
How often does a gas station fire occur?
Between 2004 and 2008, there were an average of 5,020 fires reported at gas stations annually. That’s about one fire for every 13 service stations. 12. How many people are injured in gas station fires annually?
What’s the average number of gas station robberies?
In 2012, more than 7,100 robberies occurred at gas stations across the country. The average take for criminals came to $943. 10. What about convenience stores?
What to do if your gas station catches on fire?
Keep your gas station equipment maintained to prevent leaks and short circuits. Affix appropriate warning labels on the walls of your gas station to keep the staff and customers informed about potential causes of fire and ways to avoid them. Store fuel stock and other flammable products away from direct sunlight.