Thread: Day Had A Bad Start

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Picture in the KC Star this morning of a '99 truck that caught fire and burned at a metro gas station. Fire guys thought it started from a static spark as the guy reached for the nozzle. The article did not mention if he was sitting in the truck as it filled, and then slid across the seat getting out which could have "charged him up" for a static spark. Good thing is they limited the damage to the truck and that one pump set with a quick response.TruckFire.jpg

Truck appears to be fairly well toasted!!!! Chilly, dry weather really provides an atmosphere for a lot of static electricity.

When filling up(Just getting gas who can afford to fill up) I always make sure I tuch the cab or bed and pump at same time before fueling. Never get back in truck until finished.

That is a good habit to have, Charlie, I do the same thing - reminiscent of my days fueling on the flight line: grounds first. My son is a tanker driver here in the great southwest desert, and that is the first thing that was stressed to him in his training, not just for the desert regions, but everywhere, just a bit more important here where it is so dry all the time. The one burn down that he has ever told me about was from improper grounding by a careless driver. I imagine Kurt, vara4, could tell us a few hair singeing tales.

Thanks for that tip - - - - - I think I probably already knew that but with the 'ol brain it's nice to be reminded. Now if I can just remember to do it from now on ?????

Yeah, I follow that rule too. Another potentially dangerous act is filling portable gas cans. An approved gasoline container also dissipates static electricity (yes, even the plastic ones), as long as it is placed on the pavement before filling begins and the nozzle touches the container during fill. Leave the can in the trunk or pickup box, however, and it is a different story. A trunk liner, bed mat or bed liner insulates the vehicle/container from the ground and the static buildup of electricity has nowhere to go. Static buildup occurs and if it releases, the resulting spark can set off the gasoline vapors coming out of the container. Does not happen often, but it only takes once to ruin your day....