Try and Explain, or Mind my Own Business?

[Cooter Brown]

Bluejax, if the person is barefooted and grounded then maybe you're right. Usually insulated from ground by shoes. That's why NTSB says to discharge static when you get out of your car by touching something metal. The car itself has enough mass that you can generally discharge to it, but it's not grounded.

Women are actually victim to pump fires more than men, because they are more likely to lock the pump and get back in the car while it's filling. When they exit they may have picked up a charge.

I remember years ago that some trucks carrying flammable (or is it inflammable? Remember when Woody on "Cheers" got confused about that?) would have a chain dragging to discharge the static. I don't recall seeing that recently. I'm sure it tor up the roads some.

When filling the car, the tank is grounded back thru the pump.

 

[Jst1mr]

^^^ It is actually the flow of the gasoline through the nozzle that builds up static. That is why the procedure specifies holding the nozzle against the lip of the container. If you hold the nozzle centered in the hole, a differential can build and a spark can eventually jump the gap.