plastic gasoline containers

[MagicalSilverKey]

I recently was handling a plastic gasoline can, and when I grasped the handle, I felt the hairs on my fingers stand up from static electricity. Then it occured to me, isn't this potentially dangerous? If one grasped the handle of a plastic gas can and the static caused a spark, we're talking fourth of July fireworks, are we not? Mind you, this is an "approved" gasoline container.

[jamshid]

Yep. Put your container on the ground before you put gas in it. There have been a number of "incidents" here in California of folks filling up their gas cans while said cans were in the beds of their pickup trucks--WHOOSH!

It may not happen everytime, but err on the side of caution.

[Padeye]

Your concern is legitimate, but used properly the plastic container is not a problem in itself. What can be a problem is filling a container, metal or plastic, that's in a pickup bed with a plastic liner. Putting the plastic container on the ground before touching the nozzle to it will bring it to the same potential and reduce chance of a spark.

Interesting side note I've heard that certain models of Michelin tires are far less conductive than normal. It causese people to get zapped when opening a door. I've never heard of a problem at fuel pumps associated with this.

[Padeye]

Jamshid stated it better. Always put the container on the ground plastic bedliner or not.

[MagicalSilverKey]

Jamshid stated it better. Always put the container on the ground plastic bedliner or not.


My container WAS on the ground (concrete), when I felt the static.

[UncleBeer]

Must have been that damned cell phone. Woowee, if that sucker had gone off...

[jamshid]

Always try to fill your gas cans when live high-tension wires are not touching the ground nearby.