You may already be aware of this, but getting in and out of your car while pumping gas can be very dangerous, as static electricity can build up on your body, and can cause a fire when you touch the pump handle. Gas fumes can build and all it takes is a little spark. This is more a problem in the winter, as people have more of a tendency of getting back in their car while fueling up, to keep warm. When they get out, that's when the problem occurs...
To avoid static fires, it's recommended not getting in and out of your car while pumping gas, and to wear shoes with rubber soles that can "ground" you, and thus discharging static by touching the nozzle tip to a metal surface that's away from the gas tank before fueling. A spark is also possible when the nozzle touches the metal ring of the gas tank opening.
That's why aircraft are always grounded to the truck/station while being refueled. It keeps sparks from jumping between the nozzle and whatever is being filled.
orangutan says:
01:42 PM, 03/ 4/08
Mythbusters did a segment on this a few years ago.
ateixeira says:
02:30 PM, 03/ 4/08
Pretty wild.
That was some quick thinking. Glad she was not hurt!
estreka says:
03:22 PM, 03/ 4/08
Many pumps have a rubber/plastic coating on the handle to keep this from happening.
sabastian says:
06:23 PM, 03/ 4/08
That's why aircraft are always grounded to the truck/station while being refueled. It keeps sparks from jumping between the nozzle and whatever is being filled.