We bikers need fuel, yes. Even if it is less than what a car guzzles (except for the super bikers; their bikes guzzle more than cars!) most of the times, but we still do need it. So it is somewhat our responsibility as well to make sure not do anything silly so as to not burn down the fuel station. After all it does contain fuel, so it will surely burn down completely if something was to go wrong. So in this article we are going to check out the preventive cautions to take care of at fuel stations and also what care is to be taken in case of a fuel station catches fire.
Stop It From Happening in the First Place:
We have heard the saying “Prevention is better than cure” and yes it is true as well. If you do not want to burn down in the fuel station along with your bike, just make sure you do not do anything to make it catch fire in the first place. The most preliminary things include not lighting a fire or a match or keep an open flame running like a burning cigarette. In short, do not smoke at the fire station.
Secondly do not talk on cell phones as talking on them also happens to be a reason how fires are caught at the fuel station; the reason how has been explained in our previous article- "What Could Cause Fire At Fuel Station". So your loved ones can wait a couple of minutes for your call if they want you safe.
Third and the most important one is to keep your engine off. When the engine is running and you are filling in fuel, the engine is combusting petrol inside which means the heat generated inside the engine is being radiated off. Since petrol has quite a low ignition point, even the petrol fumes are good enough to catch fire and light up the entire place like a Diwali celebration. So make sure your engine is off so that you and your bike both stay safe. There have been many cases reported where the bike caught fire while filling petrol as its engine was running..jpg)
What To Do In Case It Happens?
Well, suppose due to some other external factors the fuel station does catch fire and if you are in it, the most important thing to do it not to panic and remain calm. You should keep your cool in all the heat and make sure everyone exits in an orderly fashion from the non-fire exit of the station. In case both the exits are pretty much gutted, catch hold of the nearest fire extinguisher and try to extinguish the fire from one of the exits so from there everyone else can at least get out of the fuel station.
There is a small window of gap where the fuel is just ignited and it takes time to grow. If you have the chance to act in that very moment, simply grab the fuel extinguisher and extinguish the fire then and there itself and do not let it spread further. There are also buckets filled with sand available at the station; simply grab on to them and pour the sand at the epicenter of the fire so that it stops from the point it has started and this reduced the chances of it spreading wildly.
Most importantly as a responsible biker to make sure you act in an orderly fashion and follow simple basic civic rules for the betterment of everyone. Do not leave your bike inside the station, but then do not start your bike, just lug it with you and get it out of the station. Unlike cars, bikes do not have a covered and a protected engine.
So do follow the above mentioned points properly and always stay safe and make sure no fuel station catches fire due to you and also if it does catch fire while you are there, your presence of mind and coolness stays intact and you can help out clearing the area.
By: Pratik Patole
Stop It From Happening in the First Place:We have heard the saying “Prevention is better than cure” and yes it is true as well. If you do not want to burn down in the fuel station along with your bike, just make sure you do not do anything to make it catch fire in the first place. The most preliminary things include not lighting a fire or a match or keep an open flame running like a burning cigarette. In short, do not smoke at the fire station.
Secondly do not talk on cell phones as talking on them also happens to be a reason how fires are caught at the fuel station; the reason how has been explained in our previous article- "What Could Cause Fire At Fuel Station". So your loved ones can wait a couple of minutes for your call if they want you safe.
Third and the most important one is to keep your engine off. When the engine is running and you are filling in fuel, the engine is combusting petrol inside which means the heat generated inside the engine is being radiated off. Since petrol has quite a low ignition point, even the petrol fumes are good enough to catch fire and light up the entire place like a Diwali celebration. So make sure your engine is off so that you and your bike both stay safe. There have been many cases reported where the bike caught fire while filling petrol as its engine was running.
What To Do In Case It Happens?Well, suppose due to some other external factors the fuel station does catch fire and if you are in it, the most important thing to do it not to panic and remain calm. You should keep your cool in all the heat and make sure everyone exits in an orderly fashion from the non-fire exit of the station. In case both the exits are pretty much gutted, catch hold of the nearest fire extinguisher and try to extinguish the fire from one of the exits so from there everyone else can at least get out of the fuel station.
There is a small window of gap where the fuel is just ignited and it takes time to grow. If you have the chance to act in that very moment, simply grab the fuel extinguisher and extinguish the fire then and there itself and do not let it spread further. There are also buckets filled with sand available at the station; simply grab on to them and pour the sand at the epicenter of the fire so that it stops from the point it has started and this reduced the chances of it spreading wildly.
Most importantly as a responsible biker to make sure you act in an orderly fashion and follow simple basic civic rules for the betterment of everyone. Do not leave your bike inside the station, but then do not start your bike, just lug it with you and get it out of the station. Unlike cars, bikes do not have a covered and a protected engine.
So do follow the above mentioned points properly and always stay safe and make sure no fuel station catches fire due to you and also if it does catch fire while you are there, your presence of mind and coolness stays intact and you can help out clearing the area.
By: Pratik Patole