“You can’t use a mobile on the forecourt “

[madbadger]

Filled up the TVR today on the way to work. Shell garage so while I was filling up I got my phone out to find the Shell app.

“Mumble mumble mumble” on the tannoy.

Paid attention the second time as I was only one there.

This is a brand new forecourt. I thought the idea that an old nokia could blow up a petrol station had been roundly disproved 20 years ago?

I genuinely can’t see a problem with opening up an app on a current phone. If it is dangerous they have done f all to mitigate it.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Operator was following UKPIA guidelines:

Regardless, use of mobile phones on UKPIA members’ forecourts is actively discouraged for the reasons stated below:

Distraction - Using mobile phones can create a serious distraction for people dispensing fuel or crossing the forecourt due to the number of vehicles moving. Traffic movements will always present a risk for customers and therefore remaining vigilant and minimising distractions is central to forecourt safety. The distraction caused to pedestrians by mobile phones increases the risk of accidents.

Risk of incendive sparking - Mobile phones are not designed and certified for use in explosive atmospheres which exist temporarily around the pump and nozzle during refuelling as well as around the fill and vent pipes during petrol deliveries. Whilst the risk of incendive sparking from mobile phones is low, they are not intrinsically safe devices and should not be used in those hazardous areas (listed below) that exist on a forecourt

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I spent several years as a pump attendant. Back in them days we had all on to stop customers smoking

[Rich1973]

ATEX rated phones are available. I work in an explosive atmosphere and have one.

[TimmyMallett]

They should tell Tesco. I use mine all the time to scan my clubland.

I thought the original risk was to do with a potential spark removing batteries years ago?

I would imagine a bloody hot engine has more chance of igniting vapour than an iPhone 14.

[sixor8]

Seems like somebody has been briefed to be over-zealous.

I use my phone to boot the Nectar app whenever I buy fuel at my local S'burys. I have done for years, walking towards the kiosk usually, and nobody has ever said anything. It's not as if you were making a call (i.e. broadcasting), just receiving data. If that makes a difference?

[Cold]

You never know, you might be the first person to cause an explosion in a petrol station due to using a mobile phone. Can't be too careful.


(Many years ago, a staff member remotely shut down a pump I was using because the passenger inside my car was using her phone.)

[TimmyMallett]

I don't understand what the difference is between having it in your pocket and "using it". Both scenarios it's turned on. Is it the frequency of 3/4/5g? If not then it seems no increased risk of igniting vapour whether in your picket or in your hand

[996TT02]

Been a while I filled up from that station, but one chain smoking attendant would dispense your fuel with his lit cigarette in the same hand that he used for the nozzle. I have not heard of his demise.

[anonymous-user]

Rich1973 said:

ATEX rated phones are available. I work in an explosive atmosphere and have one.

Very interesting
I guess the average forecourt attendant would instantly recognise it

[LosingGrip]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I spent several years as a pump attendant. Back in them days we had all on to stop customers smoking

Still makes me chuckle when I was working in the petrol station and a fire crew had just filled up, got called out started to drive off on blues and then stopped to shout at a women who was smoking whilst filling up. She then came in crying that she had been shouted at...

[Fast and Spurious]

EmailAddress said:

The chance of a spark from a battered old Chinese budget electric car on its fifth after-lease owner must be about the same I'd imagine..

Best all wear Hunters just in case.

Why are they filling up with petrol? Do you need to think about this again?

[shambolic]

Morrisons allow contactless payments and to scan more card at pump. Both of which are on my phone.
I’ve never been pulled for using it.

[tomsugden]

Shell's pay at pump actually requires you to use your phone to tell it which pump you're going to use!

[DickyC]

James6112 said:

Rich1973 said:

ATEX rated phones are available. I work in an explosive atmosphere and have one.

Very interesting
I guess the average forecourt attendant would instantly recognise it

Being a cross between a mobile phone and a Davy Lamp, they're easy to spot.

[Hol]

madbadger said:

I thought.

Here’s the truth of the matter.

The world is full of stories where someone ‘thought’ something was Ok, no longer applied, or didn’t apply to their situation, or them personally.

For the subject of every story, there will be people who are wondering’ ‘why on earth did you think that’, knowing what you did before.

[vikingaero]

Even quite recently I've been shouted at over the tannoy for using my phone to scan my Nectar card. I would understand if I was making a call whilst refuelling. Now I just open the app and have the Nectar barcode ready to quickly scan before they notice.

[Richard-D]

Hol said:

madbadger said:

I thought.

Here’s the truth of the matter.

The world is full of stories where someone ‘thought’ something was Ok, no longer applied, or didn’t apply to their situation, or them personally.

For the subject of every story, there will be people who are wondering’ ‘why on earth did you think that’, knowing what you did before.

A mobile phone is communicating with the network regardless of whether or not you've got it in your hand and are pressing buttons/the screen. Your post reads as if you want to berate the OP for applying logic to the situation.

Edited by Richard-D on Friday 4th August 07:28

[Bobtherallyfan]

According to guidance issued by the UKPIA, the use of mobiles phones by the public is prohibited in the following particularly sensitive locations:

In the area of the vehicle filler point when filling a vehicle.
In the immediate vicinity of a fuel dispenser, except in clearly identified non-hazardous areas specifically intended for portable device use.
In the immediate vicinity of tank fill points, tank and separator vents.
In the vicinity of a tanker when unloading.
Generally, there is no need to restrict the use of mobile telephones in other areas of the forecourt, such as in the shop, in parked motor vehicles or in other traffic-free, non-hazardous areas.

That’s why it’s OK to use pay at the pump, or your Nectar card etc….you aren’t using the phone in the scenarios outlined.

[Hol]

Richard-D said:

Your mobile phone is communicating with the network regardless of whether or not you've got it in your hand and are pressing buttons/the screen. Maybe you should criticise the OP less for thinking and give it a go yourself.

If you think that was a criticism then you should see a doctor.