Description

This Cumberland Farms is one of the ones using the newer Wayne Ovation line of pumps. All of the Cumberland Farms using these new pumps are set up such that you cannot use the "help" button to contact the attendant during fueling. There is no emergency shut-off available to customers at the pumps, so the only way to shut off the pumps in an emergency is to contact the attendant. The "help" button is the only available means and it is a soft-key, the function for which is only available before and after fueling. In a true emergency, contacting the attendant would need to be immediate.

That is why Connecticut has Section 9-4.7 of the Connecticut Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, in relevant part: "The attendant shall at all times be able to communicate by
voice with persons in the dispensing area." Cumby's is in violation of this at all of their newer services stations.

Cumby's regional management has not attempted to rectify this, despite my complaints. The Cumby's rep told me "just turn off your pump and go inside". Duh, not exactly the quickest or safest option when you have a one-year old in the car...

I contacted the Milford fire marshal, who checked on the matter and determined that the pumps are in violation. He issued a violation notice, and Cumberland Farms has 30 days to correct the issue.

I also put a call in to the State fire marshal's office because this problem is not unique to this Milford Cumby's. It is the same at every other Cumby's I've been to that uses these new pumps.