Why cant you use a mobile phone at a petrol station?

Question

a message for JEWEL.

i am a law abiding citizen and respectful of the warning signs regarding mobile phone use.

i have asked the question for a scientific answer. i did not expect a moral lesson.

...chill

Answer 1

Baron-

Cell Phone use is restricted at gasoline stations because of the inherent dangers involved with refueling. Stations get better insurance rates if they prohibit cell phone use, so they do.

First, there's electrical charges. While a ringing phone won't cause an explosion, a dropped phone that breaks open could create a spark sufficient to ignite the fumes pouring out of your gas tank and falling to the ground, since they're heavier than air.

Second, there's static electricity. Phone talkers tend to move around more than non-talkers and rubbing against stationary objects can cause static buildup. Touching your car near the filler could discharge the built up charge and cause a spark strong enough to cause ignition. In addition, cell phone chatters tend to get in and out of their car, since it's quieter and warmer in there, increasing the chance for sparking.

Finally, someone talking on the phone isn't paying enough attention to a poetntially dangerous job. You're pouring 20+ gallons of highly flammable liquid into your car, you shouldn't be talking to someone at the same time.

I have worked in the oil business for many years and have seen the results of station explosions. They don't happen often, but they do happen and anything I can to protect myself and my loved ones is worth the inconvenience. Ask yourself this, is there anything you can do with your cell phone that's worth dying for? I can't think of a single thing...

You can't eliminate every hazard, but you eliminate all you can. That's how you stay alive.

Answer 2

They will claim that there is a risk of creating a spark that would ignite spilt petrol vapours, of course they will let you start the car and drive off. A mobile generally uses maybe ½ amp at 4 volts, your starter motor uses 200 amps at 12 volts. Which is the bigger risk? Back in the 80s when CB was popular some users had high power (illegal) transmitters that could perhaps spark, or interfere with the early electronic meters in the pumps. That is why there is a ban. A few years ago Braniac with Richard Hammond tried to blow up a caravan with petrol and a clutch of mobiles. In the end they had to use a match. They had to blow it didn't they!

Answer 3

All electrical devices (batteries included) emit a eletrical field of energy causing static (emission) electricity.

All fuels have combustible vapors and the higher the octane is, the more danger for it to ignite...

Static electricity from various souces can ignite these vapors...

Have you ever gotten an electric spark when sliding offf the auto seat and touching something made of metal...or at home walking on a carpet and touching the fridge door...? Well, those sparks are result of static electricity...

At a petrol station the danger is greater because vapors are present even before you remove your filler cap because of a vehicle beside yours at the pump or one that has just left the pump...

Most all explosions and injuries at a fueling station are caused by people that will sit in the vehicle while the pump is filling. Even if not using a phone while sitting there, they may create a static spark when returning to the pump and as soon as they touch the pump nozzle...ZAP...!!!

It's all over...

Answer 4

There is an Urban Legend that the signal from a mobile phone can create a spark.


www.snopes.com has debunked this folklore. but in a world where civil lawsuits are very costly many businesses choose to be safe, rather than sorry.

By the way there is a difference between a warning sign and a law.

Answer 5

Anyone who says cell phone use does not constitute a risk when fuelling a car with petrol is talking nonsense. There are a number of staff training videos showing incidents recorded by forecourt surveillance cameras. People should not spread dangerous rumours about safety matters that they clearly know nothing about. Petroleum industry professional.

Answer 6

The belief was that an incoming call would cause a spark which could ignite the fuel.
Apparently it would not do so.
You are not permitted to use a mobile phone on petrol station forecourts because it's against the regulations of the company operating the petrol station to do so.

Answer 7

A mobile phone is not intrinsically safe and can potentially give off a spark when in use. Almost all phones are safe and they do not give off a spark but all it would take, would be a spillage of petrol, giving off a vapour and igniting, to cause a major fire or explosion. The phone or handset would need to be faulty but it is possible. All they are trying to do is identify a risk and control the potential for explosion.

Answer 8

If you ever watched Brainiac on Sky One, they did an experiment with this. They doused a caravn in petrol and put about 20 mobile phones inside. Then they rang them from a safe distance and nothing happened. Next, they had someone dressed in lycra clothing, jump up and down to create static, attached to wires to their body, and the caravan blew up. So a girl in tights or a guy in a football top can safely roam a petrol station...worrying.

Answer 9

Here's the truth. Actually you should not answer your cell phone if it rings while you are putting gas in your car. Reason?? Static electricity will cause an explosion. Your vehicle has carpet & dragging your feet in it you will get static electricity (this is also done @ home on the carpet), when you answer your phone you will get the same result that you get if you did this @ home. You can always touch a piece of metal before you begin feuling your car. IE the pump itself since these days most cars are made of fiberglass & not metal. Touching metal will basically remove any static that you have picked up.

Answer 10

One reason is that if you dropped your phone while filling up, the spark emitted as the battery separates from its contacts could cause petrol vapour to combust...

Or the Petrol Company wants us to fill up, pay, and get out in the shortest time possible. Phoning wastes valuable earning time...

ps.... Diesel won't explode this way as its flashpoint is too low.