[BC] Static Myth Busted ...

[Alan Alsobrook]

I wouldn't take the myth busters proof for this. While it is highly 
unlikely that a cell phone would cause a spark, it can and will happen.
The most likely scenario for this would be a bad or loose battery 
contact. Unless an electrical device is rated intrinsically safe it 
probably isn't.  Admittedly the probability of causing a fire with a 
cell phone while filling up is extremely low (my guess is about .00001%).
I'd be happy if we could just convince people to not smoke while filling 
up. I responded a couple weeks ago to a near darwin award winner where a 
truck driver decided to check the level of fuel in his saddle tanks with 
a lighter (Woof). {side note Diesel is far more likely to ignite (in the 
tank) than gasoline} he now knows this and should be out of the burn 
center soon.

> They proved this on Mythbusters. Cell phones were completely incapable (in
> their tests) of igniting the gas fumes. A static-generating rig that they
> made, (a plastic rod and soft upholstery) did generate a spark, and POOF!
> Willie...
-- 
Alan Alsobrook CSRE AMD CBNT
St. Augustine Fl. 32086 904-829-8885
aalso at Bellsouth.net