TOP STORY >>Make a difference in gas station fires, safety

By Tech. Sgt. Arlo Taylor
314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Fires at gas stations while pumping fuel are rare, but they do happen. The most effective way to prevent these tragic fires is by following a few safety and common sense steps, according to base fire department officials.

“When gasoline catches fire it is very difficult to extinguish even under perfect circumstances," said Fire Inspector Joe Willett.
“The most practical thing people can do to avoid a gas station fire is to element all sources of ignition. Gas can fires are one of the most frequent types of fires; the person filling such a container must make the procedure as safe as possible by avoiding any possible build up of static electricity or open ignition sources.”

There was a report of a recent incident at a base shoppette involving the filling of a portable container and fire occurring.
The source of ignition for the incident was not determined, but moving of the container while it was on fire did contribute to a minor injury, the fire inspector said.

“You should never try to move a burning item of any kind; just extinguish it in place with a fire extinguisher. In this incident, the employees of the gas station saved the day by turning off the master pump switch to the gas pumps, this stopped and de-energized all pumping stations, evacuating all personnel to a safe location, calling 911 to report the fire, and by using fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire.

Employees at gas stations are trained to take action when they see any unsafe condition around the pump area; smoking, cell phones, vehicle engine running, filling portable containers improperly, are all examples of what should not be happening near the fueling pumps.

Under the best circumstance, extinguishing a gas fire for most patrons can hinge on a lot of “what ifs,” the fire inspector said.

“If you can locate a serviceable fire extinguisher, if you know how to operate the fire extinguisher, if you can access the fire, and if you can do all that and not put yourself or others in danger, then hopefully you can act and save the day when such fires occur,” he said.

Safety officials said the best ways to prevent or lessen the chance of fire while pumping gas into a vehicle or portable container is to take action before the fire and don’t be afraid to assist or correct someone on a safer way to pump the gas.
Here are a few fire safety guidelines to lessen the chance of fires at gas stations:

• Turn off your vehicle engine.
• Put your vehicle in park and/or set the emergency brake.
• Disable or turn off any auxiliary sources of ignition such as a camper or trailer heater, cooking units, or pilot lights.
• Do not smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling at the pump or when using gasoline anywhere else.
• Use only the refueling latch provided on the gasoline dispenser nozzle. Never jam the refueling latch on the nozzle open.
• Do not re-enter your vehicle during refueling. If you cannot avoid re-entering your vehicle, discharge any static build-up before reaching for the nozzle by touching something metal with a bare hand – such as the vehicle door – away from the nozzle.
• In the unlikely event a static-caused fire occurs when refueling, leave the nozzle in the fill pipe and back away from the vehicle. Notify the station attendant immediately.
• Dispensing gasoline into a portable container (largest risk for fire)
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.
• When filling a portable container, manually control the nozzle valve throughout the filling process.
• Fill a portable container slowly to decrease the chance of static electricity buildup and minimize spilling or splattering.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the container opening while refueling.
• Fill container no more than 80-90 percent full to allow for expansion.
• Place cap tightly on the container after filling - do not use containers that do not seal properly.
• Only store gasoline in approved containers as required by local, federal, or state authorities.
• Never store gasoline in glass or any other unapproved container.
• If gasoline spills on the container, make sure that it has evaporated before you place the container in your vehicle. (frequent cause of fires)
Safety guidelines for fuel handling: 
• Do not over-fill or top-off your vehicle tank, which can cause gasoline spillage.
• Never allow children under licensed driving age to operate the pump.
• Avoid prolonged breathing of gasoline vapors.
• Use gasoline only in open areas that get plenty of fresh air.
• Keep your face away from the nozzle or container opening.
• Never siphon gasoline by mouth nor put gasoline in your mouth for any reason.