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Mobile Phones in Petrol stations (cellphones in gas stations)

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  • Mobile Phones in Petrol stations (cellphones in gas stations)

    I was walking into the shop that was attached to a petrol station here, I hadn't driven, and I was on the phone to a friend. Of course I got shouted at furiously by a security guard for being on the phone, and told to switch it off.

    So ok I did that, I've heard that rule before.

    But it got me thinking - how many ppl have blown up a petrol (gas) station by being on a mobile (cell) phone that sparked? I've never seen any petrol explosions ever ever ever from phones (on the news). Come to think of it, I've never heard of a cellphone sparking either.

    Anyone have more info on this? It seems like they made up some junk science to make sure ppl's full attention was on using a pump to refill a vehicle. The reason I am suspicious is because of the similar scary stories about phones and electrical interference. I have doctor friends who say the radiologists in hospitals are happy to leave their mobile phones on permanently, even when taking x-rays and standing near the machines. Closer to home, a phone only interferes with a stereo if it is perhaps 40-50cm away.

  • #2
    Aha, google to the rescue:
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03...xplosion_myth/

    It turns out I am right, a mobile phone has never ever caused a fire in a petrol station. The law was introduced after the Piper Alpha disaster as a precaution, and noone has bothered to change it. I'll tell the security guard that when I see him next

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    • #3
      In fact, the law actually states that employees are not allowed to use mobile phones, but not customers (in petrol stations). I'll tell the security guard that too :P

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      • #4
        Mythbusters also busted that myth.
        Dr. Mordrid
        ----------------------------
        An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

        I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

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        • #5
          Yep, all the incidents that may look like cellphone related fires, are actually caused by static discharge between the driver and the car. You should always touch a metal part of your car before you start fueling.
          Lady, people aren't chocolates. Do you know what they are mostly? Bastards. Bastard coated bastards with bastard filling. But I don't find them half as annoying as I find naive, bubble-headed optimists who walk around vomiting sunshine. -- Dr. Perry Cox

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          • #6
            Snopes is your friend: http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp
            Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

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