Using mobile phones at petrol/gas stations

[Papa Smurf]

This question has been causing some arguments in the office here.

Why are we advised to swich phones off at pertol/gas stations.

So far we have came up with 2 possible answers

1.The mobile phone could cause fuel vapour to ignite and blow the whole place up - This can be nad espicailly if u are holding the phone at the time. BUT wouldnt the same vapour still explode when the car engine is started?????. So why are we not advised to push the cars out of the station before we start them.

2.Mobile phones can sometimes interfere with the pumps cash display or may even activate the pumps emergency mechanism that shuts the pump down remotly.

Does anyone know the correct answer to this to avoid anymore blood being spiled in this office. <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

[Cygnus]

LOL!

If thats the case then why dont the cars beside you blowing you up when they start their engines to leave??? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[MacGyver]

Looks to be part urban legend, part slight risk.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/librar...y/aa062399.htm

[Geek #1]

I cannot see how a Mobile Phone would cause a fire. I know that in some banks they cause interfearence with the LCD displays on the cashiers till.

I think this is just a ploy to stop you using the mobile in case you drive off with it clamped to your ear. As most people do anyway - the FOOLS.

[Drone2903]

Originally posted by Geek #1:
<STRONG>I cannot see how a Mobile Phone would cause a fire...</STRONG>

I didnt either, an engineer friend of mine told me this:

Remember the caution "never put metalic objects in a microwave" cause they sparks ?

Basically a cell phone is a small microwave transmitter.
A gas pump is a gas container with gas vapours on top (nearest to U) with metallics parts all over. And it is grounded.

Sooooooo, the idea is.

U pump, U ring, U blow !

<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[ßracius]

Crispy tech! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

[Daemon]

Originally posted by Bracius:
<STRONG>Crispy tech! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

AHHAHAHAHAHHAHAH <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[NooNoo]

I heard the rf output is enough to confuse the petrol / gas pump so that you get more for your money.

It was definitely a problem with CB radio burners!

[Archer]

How did you find that out and how much do you owe the local garage? <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[repoman]

Here in my part of Canadian they will ask you not to talk on your cell while pumping and l have heard that they will not let you pump at some stations. It is is the vapor thing and your phone.

Talk about getting a bang for your buck.
<IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[ilovetheusers]

This was on the news about a year ago.

The problem is that there could be a spark between the battery and the contacts that the power goes through to power the phone if something is slightly loose. The danger is slight if best and the experiments were done in closed plasitc containers filled with enough gas fumes to get you lit up like a x-mas tree. One spark and boom.

Of course to simulate this in real life you would need to spill gas all over the place and make about a 1000 calls in a row. It's one of those bizar things that they decided to act on because there is a lot of public paranoia over cell phones.

The microwaves emitting from a cell phone come no where near the level that is needed to stimulate molecules into motion and cause a spark. If it could, anyone that had a phone would have been sterile, dead or crispy by now. The reason the phone gets warm is because you are holding it against your ear and it has electric running through it heating the circuit board and battery.

[Sowulo]

Yeah, and I'm going to win the powerball lotto on Saturday even without buying a ticket, and the Sun is going to SuperNova on Sunday--Cya, I'm off to pick up some sunblock UV5000. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> (anything's possible, but really.....)

[Fubarian]

heh, yea, kinda like the "please turn off all cell phones while in flight" thing....DUH! You're gettin hit with those plus different rays when yer up 20k feet....Some people kill me....

ps - cell phones cause brain damage and cancer ...remember?

[Outcoded]

Think about it, how many of us gesticulate when on the phone, even though the other person can't see it? I admit it, I do.

Now image doing that with a fuel pump in your hand <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Sowulo]

Originally posted by Outcoded:
<STRONG>Think about it, how many of us gesticulate when on the phone, even though the other person can't see it? I admit it, I do.

Now image doing that with a fuel pump in your hand <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

I live in Oregon, we're not allowed to pump our own....and I hope the law never changes....especially during the Winter when it's raining and cold, I want to stay in my warm dry car.... <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">