Why cant you use mobile phones on petrol forecourts?

Answer 1

Apparantly early mobile phones could give off sparks and obviously this is hazardous in a petrol station. The law and details are below:

The regulations about petrol stations require that forecourt staff do not permit the use of mobile telephones on the forecourt. They have no obligation to prevent the use, and it is not an offence to use one, but they must not allow it.

In the days when the regulations were written, car phones were very high-powered and quite rare. The powers used meant that there was a real risk of sparks from them in some circumstances.

Nowadays, the output power of a mobile phone is far lower, and the risk of an explosion caused by the signal is no longer a likely factor. There is some chance that signals could affect the metering systems used on forecourts, but this is extremely unlikely.

Some would argue that any risk is too much to take, but in this case the regulations are self-defeating. By switching your mobile phone off, you are ensuring that it transmits a "log-off" signal to the network, whereas if you left it on, the chances are that it would not transmit whilst you were there. Despite every phone doing this logging-off when the driver has pulled onto the forecourt, there seem to be no reports of problems as a result.

One suggestion is that the risk is from possible sparks caused by dropping a handset, detaching the battery. However unlikely, this is a possibility. However, if there is a risk from such sparks, what about the risk from the showers of sparks from starter motors and alternators of car engines?

There have been posters and articles alleging that mobiles have caused explosions at filling stations, but when these have been investigated, each has proved to be untrue.

The law is clear, however. Filling station operators are not allowed to permit the use of mobile telephones on their forecourts, so please save the operator's blushes, and don't use them there.

Hope that answers your question

Answer 2

There are signs on most forecourts saying 'No Mobile Phones'. The theory is that - somehow - using a phone next to the petrol could cause an explosion. However, there has never been any incident where this happened as far as I know. So the question is - do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?

Answer 3

Because mobile phones are live electrical equipment, they often emit small electrical sparks which are invisible to the naked eye. Although it might seem excessive, these sparks can ignite the vapour that circulates all around the petrol pump when you fill your car up and even if these don't cause a major explosion, they can cause a temporary fireball in the area around you which would be enough to set your clothes on fire and burn you severely.

These cases are rare, but there are a number of them in every country every year. Similar instances are also caused by static electricity released when people lean in to their car to get something off the seat - the friction caused when the object is pulled off the fabric of the seat causes a spark which has the same result as a spark from a mobile phone.

Answer 4

The likelihood of any fuel fumes being above the lower explosive limit (liable to go bang in other words) on a well ventilated forecourt are remote. I think the fuel companies are scared that the phone signal will interfere with the pumps

Answer 5

Well, it's because mobile phones emit a small amount of radiation in the form of microwaves.

If you put foil in a microwave oven, it usually catches fire.

The same with microwaves emitted from mobile phones. If you are using a phone too near the petrol pump, it may ignite the petrol and cause an explosion.

Answer 6

No good reason. Some people believe cellphones might cause sparks and hence explosions, but Mythbusters completely destroyed that myth. They also talked to experts in the industry who confirmed that the cause of most forecourt fires is static discharge from cheap artificial fabric on car seats rubbing against clothes.

Answer 7

Theres absolutely no reason why you cant us a mobile in petrol forecourts!It has been proved that the risk is from static in your clothing.

Answer 8

Supposed to be a fire risk

The Myth Busters busted the myth fair and square but the petrol companies will not take the risk and I don't blame them. Petrol fire "not great" and it gives you a serious bad start to the day.

Surely you can wait a few minutes until you have filled the car before taking or making a call

Answer 9

Maybe it's because mobile phones are a distraction, You could end up spilling 20 litres of petrol down the side of your car and onto the ground.

Answer 10

mobile phones are a real pain, if people thought it was all right to use them on the pumps there would be fuel spilt all over the place with people not consentrating or at best a queue a mile long as people chat away instead of paying and moving away from the pumps to make way for the next customer.