Automotive News, Media & Press - Why is the use of cell phones discouraged around gas pumps?

Why is the use of cell phones discouraged around gas pumps? (http://www.designnews.com/blog/The_Weird_and_Wonderful_World_of_Wireless/11579-Why_is_the_use_of_cell_phones_discouraged_around_g as_pumps_.php)

This is another one of those puzzlers for me. I’ve noticed recently that the number of posted signs prohibiting cell phone usage around gas pumps has gone down. Often times they seem to disappear when the pumps are upgraded or replaced. So what’s the deal? Well, let’s look at what we know: Gasoline really only burns in its gaseous state, not in the liquid form. This is why you may have heard someone say that you could extinguish a cigarette in a bucket of gasoline. DON’T try this. For a while the liquid gasoline will most definitely extinguish the cigarette and the path the cigarette has to take to get to the liquid will have it move through gasoline vapor mixed with oxygen - a deadly combination. In order or gasoline vapor to ignite, it also needs oxygen and a heat source. The gasoline vapor / air mix must be in the range of 1.4 percent to 7.6 percent...

Read more: http://www.designnews.com/blog/The_Weird_and_Wonderful_World_of_Wireless/11579-Why_is_the_use_of_cell_phones_discouraged_around_g as_pumps_.php

http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2666/72/0/755506795/n755506795_2464217_39509.jpg

haha I like how my sig is igniting the image of the gas station. Disclaimer, Do NOT try This at Home kids..

Because they were out of the "Don't Use Tesla Coils Near Pump" signs....

^hahaha that comment just made my day! Keep em coming!

Because you might go Richard Pryor.

W

Static electricity?

Ever hear of Mythbusters (http://mythbustersresults.com/episode2)?

^Did they do a special on it or something? I guess I could just click your link...

^Did they do a special on it or something? I guess I could just click your link...Yeah, if I remember correctly nothing happened when they tested it......

Its an Urban Legend type of deal.

because the government has cameras that track your every move and implant alien sperms inside your brain at the gas pump but the electro magnectic waves from your mobile device kills them...

It was because the early cell phones used a MUCH stronger antenna (the first about 20 watt - now it's under 1 watt), so they put up the signs. American scientists said 2002 that at least 6watt are needed to theoretically(!) ignite the gas.
Source: Zeit.de (http://www.zeit.de/2005/31/Stimmts_Handy)

Research has been done, theres no threat. Funny how people still put up the signs. And what does it mean anyway? Oooo! scary! Theres a sign! Almost everytime i go to pump gas there are people smoking. Theres a sign for that too, and for a much more important reason. 6 watts are needed, our phones produce under 1. One little spark however, and there goes the neigborhood! And people still smoke there.


Not to mention leave their engines running and it HAS been proven that you can touch your car and cinsuct enough static electricity to ignite the gas, its happened plenty.

So id say theyre just being safe rather than sorry.

You have a greater danger of going in and out of your car and touching the fueling nozzle...static is the #1 danger in my career field...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdcPeW1XwKs

Don't fill jerry cans in the back of your truck either: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgAaj3DkA-w

bump!!

I never stop my engine while pumping.

Ever seen Uncle Buck? The whole place could go up if I did that.

I'd rather be safe than sorry. I've burned my whole forearm before and i'd rather not burn my whole body

There is an uber small chance you could get a small spark off of a really fucked up cell phone.

W

There is an uber small chance you could get a small spark off of a really fucked up cell phone.

W

The chances of your cell phone being so fucked up that it sparks at the exact time the LEL is reached is so close to zero that it might as well be.

Unless you're fueling up in a tool shed while playing with a lighter you have nothing to worry about.

It's just like you can't use your phone in a plane. They've done tests before an no phones out there caused any problems witht he plane equipment.

But they don't know what phones will come out next month so instead of doing more tests every year they side on the safe side and just say 'no phones, plain and simple' the same for the gas pumps.

You have a greater danger of going in and out of your car and touching the fueling nozzle...static is the #1 danger in my career field...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdcPeW1XwKs

Don't fill jerry cans in the back of your truck either: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgAaj3DkA-w


sounds like you're talking from experience!

Research has been done, theres no threat. Funny how people still put up the signs. And what does it mean anyway? Oooo! scary! Theres a sign! Almost everytime i go to pump gas there are people smoking. Theres a sign for that too, and for a much more important reason. 6 watts are needed, our phones produce under 1. One little spark however, and there goes the neigborhood! And people still smoke there.


Not to mention leave their engines running and it HAS been proven that you can touch your car and cinsuct enough static electricity to ignite the gas, its happened plenty.

So id say theyre just being safe rather than sorry.

Just so you know you can't lite gas with a burning cig. Try it. I have.

Just so you know you can't lite gas with a burning cig. Try it. I have.

If you're in a 1'x1' box it might be able to ignite the fumes, but that's it.

It's just like you can't use your phone in a plane. They've done tests before an no phones out there caused any problems witht he plane equipment.

But they don't know what phones will come out next month so instead of doing more tests every year they side on the safe side and just say 'no phones, plain and simple' the same for the gas pumps.

excellent point!

phones these days add more and more radios like wifi and such.

these are higher powered than the existing quad band radios for the cell service.

Wow someone kill this post hahaha

Ever hear of Mythbusters (http://mythbustersresults.com/episode2)?

they even did a revisit a few months ago. still nothing