I've commented on this before, I just have no idea how this happens. How is possible to forget that you are pumping fuel and drive off? In the UK it is normal to pump your fuel and then go to the cashier and pay. You can also pay at the pump by inserting your card and pin first and then pumping your fuel. Either way, I can't imagine any circumstances in which I would forget to take the hose out of the filler and drive away. If you are going to be so utterly witless though, don't do half a job, cause a major conflagration why don't you.
British fuel pumps you have to squeeze the lever all the time to get fuel out. When it shuts off you holster the nozzle and go and pay. U.S. pumps there's a little thingy to hold the lever so you can go sit in the car and pick your nose while fuel is dispensed. When it shuts off you have to get out of the car and holster the nozzle. Or not...
In the US and some other countries there are numerous safeguards to prevent what happened in the vid. First there's a device called a Breakaway containing a pin that shears at about 50 pounds of pull force which also contains valves to stop fuel flow from the DISPENSER and from the gasoline left in the hose. The valves are designed to close at a velocity that prevents less than a cup full of gasoline from escaping. Once the dispenser was torn from its mounts, the fire suppression system is automatically tripped as shown in the vid, although is looks as if it wasn't up to the job. There should also have been a valve at the point where the gasoline line enters the dispenser cutting off fuel flow in the event of a dispenser tip or torn off its mount.
I used to work for a company that made accessory products, like nozzles, hoses and breakaways among other things, for the fuel dispensing industry.
Right Nemo, I work at a chemical manufacturer and had the project to install break-away couplings on all railcar loading hoses. I've seen 3 drive-offs at gas stations and it's exactly as described. The hose separates, less than a cup spills, and it's a non-event.
In at least one case, the driver went in the store to buy a snack and simply forgot once he was back at the vehicle.
Just another component to go wrong at the worst possible time. I see a need to cancel the license of any dumbass who does this and put it on a national record so that she can't get a license in any other state. And sue her for all damages.
My doofus slant-eyed BIL has done that exact thing several times. He also has many speeding tickets and almost killed someone. Did I mention he likes to brag that he is a CPA, has a master's degree, and works for the IRS?
Alcohol involved? Some folks are wired different to thinking about what Life takes. Like the lady that moved 3 times & still couldn't get the gas door to the pump side. I found out about the breakaways at 17 when I neglected to set the pickup brake or put it in gear. It rolled from the store front. It was a $2,000 repair charge for the pump, no damage to the pickup. Lucky, I guess, that there wasn't a car in the way getting gas. Jerry
I ran gas stations for many years in New Zealand. this happens more often than you think. First line in prevention is the rebate cut into the spout. It is supposed to snap off. works about 60% of the time. Second line is the snap off connector in the hose. Works most of the time. Then there are all the other things that Nemo mentioned. Gas is one of those things that you have to get but wish you were somewhere else.People are not thinking about anything apart form getting it over with and back on the road. How many times do you see a car rolling down the road with the gas flap open? they are all the near misses for something like this.
Pro Tip -
ReplyDeleteNever do this.
I've commented on this before, I just have no idea how this happens. How is possible to forget that you are pumping fuel and drive off? In the UK it is normal to pump your fuel and then go to the cashier and pay. You can also pay at the pump by inserting your card and pin first and then pumping your fuel. Either way, I can't imagine any circumstances in which I would forget to take the hose out of the filler and drive away. If you are going to be so utterly witless though, don't do half a job, cause a major conflagration why don't you.
ReplyDeleteBritish fuel pumps you have to squeeze the lever all the time to get fuel out. When it shuts off you holster the nozzle and go and pay. U.S. pumps there's a little thingy to hold the lever so you can go sit in the car and pick your nose while fuel is dispensed. When it shuts off you have to get out of the car and holster the nozzle. Or not...
DeleteBloke in California
should not have happened. There should have been check valves and electrical cut offs to prevent the fuel spray and electrical shorts.
ReplyDeleteAnd nozzle should have broken away before it pulled the pump over.
DeleteIn the US and some other countries there are numerous safeguards to prevent what happened in the vid. First there's a device called a Breakaway containing a pin that shears at about 50 pounds of pull force which also contains valves to stop fuel flow from the DISPENSER and from the gasoline left in the hose. The valves are designed to close at a velocity that prevents less than a cup full of gasoline from escaping. Once the dispenser was torn from its mounts, the fire suppression system is automatically tripped as shown in the vid, although is looks as if it wasn't up to the job. There should also have been a valve at the point where the gasoline line enters the dispenser cutting off fuel flow in the event of a dispenser tip or torn off its mount.
DeleteI used to work for a company that made accessory products, like nozzles, hoses and breakaways among other things, for the fuel dispensing industry.
Nemo
Right Nemo, I work at a chemical manufacturer and had the project to install break-away couplings on all railcar loading hoses. I've seen 3 drive-offs at gas stations and it's exactly as described. The hose separates, less than a cup spills, and it's a non-event.
DeleteIn at least one case, the driver went in the store to buy a snack and simply forgot once he was back at the vehicle.
Uh...it was like that when I got here!
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to see a real need for an interlock switch that prevents the car from being started or put in gear if the gas filler door is opne.
ReplyDeleteNO!
DeletePlease, think.
QHM
Just another component to go wrong at the worst possible time.
DeleteI see a need to cancel the license of any dumbass who does this and put it on a national record so that she can't get a license in any other state. And sue her for all damages.
DUMBASS ! 😜😜
ReplyDeleteYou would think that they would have some kind of break-away connection by now
ReplyDeleteI thought the pumps had "auto-safety shutoffs".
ReplyDeleteMy doofus slant-eyed BIL has done that exact thing several times. He also has many speeding tickets and almost killed someone. Did I mention he likes to brag that he is a CPA, has a master's degree, and works for the IRS?
ReplyDeleteI thought only blondes did this stupid stuff.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he was a blonde in his younger years!
DeleteAlcohol involved?
ReplyDeleteSome folks are wired different to thinking about what Life takes. Like the lady that moved 3 times & still couldn't get the gas door to the pump side.
I found out about the breakaways at 17 when I neglected to set the pickup brake or put it in gear. It rolled from the store front. It was a $2,000 repair charge for the pump, no damage to the pickup. Lucky, I guess, that there wasn't a car in the way getting gas.
Jerry
I ran gas stations for many years in New Zealand. this happens more often than you think. First line in prevention is the rebate cut into the spout. It is supposed to snap off. works about 60% of the time. Second line is the snap off connector in the hose. Works most of the time. Then there are all the other things that Nemo mentioned.
ReplyDeleteGas is one of those things that you have to get but wish you were somewhere else.People are not thinking about anything apart form getting it over with and back on the road. How many times do you see a car rolling down the road with the gas flap open? they are all the near misses for something like this.
Bill The Bunyip (I don't have a google account)
Think of the fun to be had when all road vehicles are hydrogen powered.
ReplyDeleteBut the planet will be saved.