Static Electricty at the Pump Quiz Answers

1. TRUE: The Petroleum Equipment Institute conducted a survey that showed that to date, over 150 refueling fires have been documented.

2. TRUE: It is similar to walking on a carpet and building up a body charge up to 35,000 Volts that discharges when you touch a doorknob.

3. TRUE: Investigators found that 78 percent of the static-caused fires involved women, who apparently have a greater tendency to return to the vehicle (thereby sliding on the seat) creating static electricity while refueling.

4. FALSE: This urban legend was debunked by a study conducted by Dr. A. Burgess at University of Kent , Canterbury , UK . An article, about the study which established the fact that there has not been a single confirmed incident where a cell phone has ignited gasoline vapors, appeared in the last issue of Safety Canada (July 2007).

5. TRUE: If you discharge the electrical charge carried on your body away from the gas fumes, it will reduce or eliminate the danger of igniting the fumes.

6. TRUE: In rare cases, the very cold,dry weather may be sufficient to create static electricity. What is usually a harmless shock can turn into a dangerous fire explosion at the gas pumps.

		Home > Kwiz Korner			Related Information
		Static Electricty at the Pump Quiz Answers 1. TRUE: The Petroleum Equipment Institute conducted a survey that showed that to date, over 150 refueling fires have been documented. 2. TRUE: It is similar to walking on a carpet and building up a body charge up to 35,000 Volts that discharges when you touch a doorknob. 3. TRUE: Investigators found that 78 percent of the static-caused fires involved women, who apparently have a greater tendency to return to the vehicle (thereby sliding on the seat) creating static electricity while refueling. 4. FALSE: This urban legend was debunked by a study conducted by Dr. A. Burgess at University of Kent , Canterbury , UK . An article, about the study which established the fact that there has not been a single confirmed incident where a cell phone has ignited gasoline vapors, appeared in the last issue of Safety Canada (July 2007). 5. TRUE: If you discharge the electrical charge carried on your body away from the gas fumes, it will reduce or eliminate the danger of igniting the fumes. 6. TRUE: In rare cases, the very cold,dry weather may be sufficient to create static electricity. What is usually a harmless shock can turn into a dangerous fire explosion at the gas pumps. Return to top of page			Safety Canada October 2007