Fuel safety

[Hydraman]

Fred;
Got some info for you--go to http://www.pei.org and click on
"Stop Static" in center of home page. There is all kinds of info there pertaining to transfer of fuel safely. Happy New Year
Don

 

[Phred]

Hydraman,

I could not get your link to work.

I think your post answers the question: the policy is anything electrical.

Probably better safe than sorry but I would think one would need to work very hard to start a fire with a cell phone or other low voltage device.

High voltage is another story all togheter.

Happy new year.

Fred

 

[Hydraman]

Fred;
I guess I am not "computer smart" enough to make a link, yet
so just type in website. There have been an increase in fires at filling stations in recent years, and both the American Petroleum Institute and the Petroleum Equipment Institute are conducting studies as to why.
As to 'low voltage' vs 'high voltage'-- that is not the question; but is the device rated for use in a hazardous atmosphere.
I know that Motorola makes 2-way radios that are "safe" anmd therefore "approved". Also something as simple as a flashlight must be rated for use in a hazardous atmosphere. I.E. 'explosion proof'. Thanks, and have a good day!
Don

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>I guess I am not "computer smart" enough to make a link, yet
</font color=blue>

Sure you are, Hydraman!

Take a look at the faq...there are examples there. Just type them in as shown and it will work. Almost painless!

Even I can do that.../w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Hydraman]

Like this?? <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.pei.org/>http://www.pei.org/</A>

 

[Hydraman]

Thanks,macher;
The day I can't learn something, they just as well shoot me!!!/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Good job, Hydraman!

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yup, voltage has nothing to do with it, the question is are the factors for ignition present, and it isn't always an arc/ spark that is needed (but it usually is). Heat, friction and radiation can also cause exlosions.

On some of the sites that I have worked at (pharmaceutical manufacturing) they will not allow any electrical or electronic device in the building unless it is "intrinsically safe", i.e. explosion proof - Class 1/ Div 1. Motorola also makes a Nextel phone that is intrinsically safe, but it is pretty expensive. These pharmaceutical/ chemical guys don't mess around. They don't waste money on sprinklers because they know if they get a spark/ fire the whole building is going to blow up. When I was at the site they had two drums of chemicals blow up because of poor ventilation and built up heat. All it took was a little spark and the roof was gone and two men were critically injured and maimed. The management was ousted shortly thereafter.

 

[Phred]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

Yup, voltage has nothing to do with it, .....

<hr></blockquote>



I still don't think thats quite right. The key is a spark right?

So how does one create a spark with a low voltage device?
Piece of cake with high voltage (for example regular old 120V).
Try creating a spark with a double A battery. You really have to work at it.

I think the bottom line is that these organizations have just said no electrical devices period to keep it simple.

But I would love to hear of a documented case were a cell phone has ignited gas fumes.


Fred

 

[Hydraman]

Is the element in a regular 2 cell flashlight hot enough to cause ignition?? YES !!!! Spark?? Probably not!! How about a 2c. AA Maglite?? Same answer!! As msmccabe said in his post- ya don't necessarily need a spark/arc-- just heat or friction or radiation in the correct circumstances, and BOOM!!! If ya wanna risk it--just go for it!! If not--???
Y'all have a fine day. Don