SHUT OFF

NZ Truth, Issue 1145, 10 November 1927, Page 14

SHUT OFF

When Filling Tank

Static electricity induced m the steel parts of a car by friction of the brake bands or m other ways, can readily be the cause of accidental ignition of petrol when the , tank is being filled. TNGINE movements also have been *-* known to produce static electricity of a pressure sufficient to make a respectable spark, and it is considered that the cause of fires during the process of filling with petrol with the engine .running, is the production of static electricity by that means. So many fires have occurred recently m England during street filling operations, that a proposal lias been made that filling a car with the engine running should be made an offence, the onus being on the driver. If the engine is stopped for even a brief period prior-to the petrol hose being inserted the electrical charge rapidly becomes dissipated.