Detecting the saboteur static electricity in gasoline fires

Dreadnaughts of the highway pictured above were victims of a fire caused by a tiny electrostatic spark. The trailer gasoline-tank truck (right) exploded and the huge motor carrier (left) was completely destroyed. The violation of safety practices in the handling of gasoline and other inflammable products also leads frequently to economic waste and loss of life. This article outlines the procedure followed in two cases for detecting the origin of electrostatic sparks and for correcting the hazardous conditions that caused them.