Research question for anyone who's worked at a gas station

[jayctravis]

or convenience store...

What happens during a power outage? If people are filling up, do the pumps completely shut down and reset? Is there a failsafe switch that has to be turned back on?

Is there usually or can there be a generator backup that would keep the pumps going during an outage?

How long would it take to reset the system? Is there a control at the cash register?

[frogmarch]

1. I found this info online

by using gas station power outage what happens as the keywords, though I'm sure there are better ones to use, especially to get more details.

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3882149&nav=9qrx

And one of the things that happens during an outage is being left at the pump with no gas in sight.

“Quite a few people came expecting to fill up with gas, but the intersection was out of power and when the power is down, you can't fill up,” said Hani Maksimous, who manages a local Shell Station. “All the motors are down, all the power is down.”

In situations like this, you might think you're better off carrying some gas in your car. But this manager says that's both a fire and a health hazard. What you're better off doing is always keep your tank a quarter full.

[jayctravis]

2. nice!

I figured it wouldn't be a good idea to pop into the local and start dropping questions like that.

What I'm trying to do for my story is get a puddle of gasoline on the ground.

I know this is absolutely what there are safety procedures in place to prevent, and I've never worked in a fuel station.

I'm trying to get it so in the minor confusion of a power outage there is a slight fender bender, knocking a nozzle with the trigger locked from a car's gas tank. When the power comes back on, this is overlooked. I bet the computer programming in the outside payment system is specifically programmed not to allow this though.