The only thing missing from THIS thread is the O.P. and some common sense…
I can only speak to the U.S. gas stations.
Pumps in the U.S. all have roofs because that’s where they build in the mandatory fire suppression systems.
Also, they have convaluted rubber “boots” around the pump nozzle, again mandatory to capture any escaping hydrocarbon molecules. This owuld act as an extra barrier against water entry.
And, in truth, a few (even a few dozen" drops of water would be meaningless. Between the grain alcohol (ethanol) in the gas and the constant agitation, they’ll simply pass through unnoticed with the gas. We’re talking parts per million here. Water molecules being drawn in with the gas would simply exit back out with the ones created by the combustion process as the hydrogen in the hydrocarbon bonds with oxygen in the air. It would increase your water vapor output by an unmeasurably miniscule amount.
“Pumps in the U.S. all have roofs because that’s where they build in the mandatory fire suppression systems.”
Simply not true.
I can think of two gas stations that are currently open that have gas pumps and no roof over them. Make that three, one was in Nc (this one i visited in 2007), IN and IL.
These were smaller stations, independents if I recall. They don’t have credit card readers at the pumps either.
The vapor recovery systems are mandatory in some areas, however not where I live, fueling stations here do not have them.
I can name two stations that I know of that have open fueling areas One is in IL, One is in IN. There was also one in NC that we stopped at in 2007.
We have a diesel and gasoline fuel island where I work and they are in the open. One day I filled up a 53 gallon diesel tank on our Gmc bucket truck in pouring rain. There was some drops of water entering the tank due to the filler neck position. The truck didn’t care and neither did I. I know diesels have water seperators.
FoDaddy. I am surprised at you. How could you even think I suggesting that? Questions concerning automobiles entails a lot more than pumping gas and one can see that was the intent with the sentence “The OP could be a young person that is learning about vehicles and has tons of questions”.
“The OP may not have a male figure in their life that knows anything about vehicles. <
”<— that’s the part that was offensive.
Actually there is nothing offensive about it.
Also, they have convaluted rubber “boots” around the pump nozzle, again mandatory to capture any escaping hydrocarbon molecules.
TSM, I am not nitpicking, this simply FYI. Large cities use these boots on nozzles but smaller cities do not always have them. Never the less, pumping gas in the rain is safe.
I was refering to Caller X’s " I have two moms, you got a problem with that?" statement. Most woman who own a car these days have no problems operating a gas pump.
I’ll go as far as to wager that people by age 7 or 8 or so have seen cars being filled up at the gas station enough times to have firm concepet of how the process works.
What was the idea with the “2 moms” comment? I could not follow what was being presented.
the person who’s offended gets to make that decision. …my, how convenient for you. And is this your decision? I am sure it is, it is good to see that you so self enlightened. How is it that you can go through life and never expect to be offended by something (even though nothing stated was offensive) or in other words why would you call out anything you personally do not agree with and claim it’s offensive? Caller X, you have turned a molehill into a mountain and now it is time to stop. I probably will not respond to anymore diatribes from you since I feel I casting pearls before swine. THAT IS NOT AN INSULT, HONESTLY, IT IS A FIGURE OF SPEECH (and I am not yelling with the caps).
FoDaddy. I apologize, I thought you were posting to me.
oldschool, I made the comment that the op might have asked the question about rain since they might not have a male figure in their life to explain vehicle related bits of information. Caller X became angry since I wrote “male figure” and apparently this person has two moms. Caller X is under the impression that everybody should acquiesce to Caller X’s whims and/or expectations.
What if my gas tank is almost empty and I have to drive 100 more miles and it is raining hard. What is the worst case scenario…?
Worst case, I’d be more worried about lightning than rain.
Okay folks, I’m going to back off on the fire suppression systems statement. While the national standards upon whih local codes are based recommends them, the codes and regulations themselves are state and local codes and probably vary. Many may even have “grandfather” clauses.
But the vapor recovery systems are mandated by the EPA. Any station that does not have a vapor recovery system is in noncompliance. I acknowledge that enforcement may not be as rigorous in some areas as in others.
Caller X, with respect, you’re going to have to elaborate with a viable arguement for your posts to have any weight. Saying “simply not true” with no supporting information says nothing at all.
I need to look into this, there is a new Sunoco station here in town that opened three months ago, they have new fuel pumps, they do not have vapor recovery. These pumps were inspected when they were put in. I will verify.
Unless they got grandfathered in somehow because the site was and old gas station, however they did put new tanks in the ground.
"Pumps in the U.S. all have roofs because that’s where they build in the mandatory fire suppression systems. "
They’re not mandatory in Mississippi or Alabama, or almost all of the gas stations that I stop at are in violation of that requirement. (Most have roofs, but I’ve only been to one that had any fire suppression system.)
I’ll be curious to see what you find out. Perhaps they’ve developed a method of controlling and recovering the vapors that does not require the convaluted rubber boots on the nozzles.
http://www.nwpump.com/Petroleum/OPW1.asp?menu=8,226,252&ID=260
I guess I just answered my own question…they have. See the above link.
"But the vapor recovery systems are mandated by the EPA. Any station that does not have a vapor recovery system is in noncompliance."
Then all stations in Alabama and Mississippi are non compliant. I think that it is more likely that the vapor recovery requirement only applies to some areas, not all areas.