AVOIDANCE OF ELECTROSTATIC HAZARDS DURING REFUELING OF MOTORCARS

In Germany, between 1992 and 1995, more than 30 ignitions of gasoline/ air-mixtures at public filling stations have occurred during car refue lling, some of which resulted in the cars catching fire. The investiga tion of these incidents revealed in the majority of cases that electro static charging was the probable cause. Various influences such as not sufficiently dissipative forecourt surfaces and tyres, insulated meta l parts in the flammable zone around the tank inlet and charging of pe rsons contributed to these incidents. The charging processes have been simulated by real refuelling processes and their ignition capability investigated in detail. Measures are proposed which prevent these igni tion hazards and ensure safe refuelling of motorcars.