We can't even pump our own gas here.

 

We had a fire incident here in Albuquerque due to someone using their cell phone whilst fueling their vehicle at a gas station. Fire experts concluded the fire was caused by static from the cell phone. Fortunately, it wasn't fatal but it did make everyone very wary about using cell phones whilst fueling. In fact, we were advised not to even wear our cell phones on our belts or hold them in our hands whilst fueling. It was recommended that you should turn off your cell phone and leave it in the car. It is probably a rare occurrence but obviously it happens.

 

I have always been aware of the dangers of static discharge. I used to be a refueler for the airlines. The static that an airplane generates while flying through the air is absolutely amazing. We have to connect a static wire to the airplane before fueling as to let the charge of the rufueling truck and the airplane equalize. I've had it to where when I connected the wire to the plane it would spark up to an inch away.

 

Ummm last I checked that isn't possible. The reason for the cell phones being a problem near fuel pumps has to do with electronic interference, not static discharge.

In fact, someone posted a winded reply to the person who originally posted this topic (not this thread a previous thread) and stated the same thing I did.

 

Here's the lowdown on that email.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blga...atic-fires2.htm