Risk of explosion.

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burgundyben

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Something I just posted about filling a boat made me think of something that happened a few days ago that I reckon it might be worth sharing here.

I had filled the MG with unleaded and a couple of cans, one for the mower one for outboard at the Tesco on Hamble Lane, I wandered into the shop to pay and one of the girls behind the counter was all in a fuss cos a young kid on the forecourt was using a moby fone, I asked why the big fuss, apparently their risk assessment says that fone can cause explosion, its happened, lots of messy injuries etc. Well I have never seen a spark coming off my fone (cept of course caused by my witty reparti...) and the case is plastic (I know some have metally bits). Its a low voltage device so surely risk pretty small? but granted, if the risk exists and can be mitigated by not using the fone in that area than v sensible to not use fone whilst on forecourt.

BUT!! I guess most of us wear man made fibre, I have a selection of boaty type fleecey tops and often when getting out the car there is a big visible, audible, painful spark between me and the car, surely a massive risk compared to the moby fone? So why no precaution? I guess the fuel industry risk assessors have an answer? Could the same happen when filling a petrol boat?


<hr width=100% size=1>Sod the Healey - I think I'll buy an E-Type.
 
I think it did

Wasn't there something in the news (and on S'butt) a few days ago about an on-board explosion caused by leaking petrol and static sparks from a lad's replica footie shirt?

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On second thoughts

Might have been Gas, not petrol that exploded; but the principle's the same.

The risk with mobiles on the forecourt may be from microwaves heating up the petrol, rather than sparks igniting it? Seems a bit implausible but you never know.......

It also occurs to me that every time I lock my car before going to pay for petrol, I am using my remote 'plipper' (fnaar, fnaar) which presumably could cause a spark. I think I'll just stay at home......

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Re: On second thoughts

I think it may be to do with them being dropped and causing spark, although most are plastic now.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
Re: On second thoughts

Seem to remember reading a sign on a Tesco forecourt saying something about they can cause a spark when they start to ring - maybe when the light / speaker turns on? Think they mentioned that is had been known to cause a fire to someone who was filling the car up with the mobile in his pocket at the time, although would have thought that if its in your pocket the spark aint getting out anyway?

DogsBody.

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Re: On second thoughts

But the petrol fumes can get in! I think it's basically a load of bollocks myself.

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Re: On second thoughts

Could be, if he were like the young man from Madras:

There was a young man from Madras
Whose b*lls were made of brass
In windy weather
They clanged together
And sparks flew out of his @rse

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I had heard that they could play havoc with the elctronic counters - and under charge you for fuel - must try that.....

if you hear of big explosion in Haslemere you will know I was never charged at all!

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Chris_Robb on 04/09/2003 12:44 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
Re: On second thoughts

wow. I have never been able to quote limerick in quite such a timely fashion. Mind, you nobody has yet found a dead whore in a cave, nor have they made references to such an occurrence, but when they do, I will be ready.

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Re: On second thoughts

Agree with the bollocks bit - pure urban legend. There again, I guess if you used your phone on a plane it might crash on a petrol station.

John

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There are two possible ways a mobile phone cause an explosion, however the chances ofit happening is extremely low...

Theoretically a spark might be emitted from a mobile in two ways. Firstly, when a mobile is in use, it emits electromagnetic waves. If this energy hits an imbalance in the positive and negative electrons in the air, it can cause a spark.

Secondly, the mobile is powered by a battery. If the battery is damaged in some way, such as by a crack, the current in the battery may be inhibited and result in a short circuit. This imbalance in the flow of the current may also result in a spark.


<hr width=100% size=1>Alf
 
Reminds me of a plane flight where, as we were delayed, we got parked out on the tarmac. Walking down the steps I see this woman passenger standing in front of the wing's jet engine lighting a fag. Crikey, 90pct of the captains torso was out through his cockpit window yelling " put that F'''''ing thing out " Rest of us were running for the hangar.

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On my fourcourt i have to ban mobiles, what about builders with hobnail boots! i quite aften get elec shocks when peeps pass me there keys.

<hr width=100% size=1>rich :-)) <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jersey-harbours.com>http://www.jersey-harbours.com</A>
 
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