Fuel nozzle latch - why are they always disabled?
Discussion
Having covered many miles across Europe, I love the convenience of being able to put the fuel nozzle in, and lock it open so that I don't have to stand there holding the trigger.
Most countries have them, and of course you don't hear about the issues that are commonly used as health and safety excuses for disabling them here in the UK.
I think the only countries I know of without working latches are the UK, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
However, I have come across a solution. I carry a pop rivet with me which I can simply push through the top-most hole in the nozzle handle, and then the latch works as it should. So far I haven't had any issues using it, however I'm sure one day someone will tell me I can't do that and explain the potential for diesel fuel to spark and burn the entire fuel station down
Which has me wondering. Is there any specific legislation that requires the fuel nozzle latches to be disabled? Or is it just company policies?
Most countries have them, and of course you don't hear about the issues that are commonly used as health and safety excuses for disabling them here in the UK.
I think the only countries I know of without working latches are the UK, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
However, I have come across a solution. I carry a pop rivet with me which I can simply push through the top-most hole in the nozzle handle, and then the latch works as it should. So far I haven't had any issues using it, however I'm sure one day someone will tell me I can't do that and explain the potential for diesel fuel to spark and burn the entire fuel station down
Which has me wondering. Is there any specific legislation that requires the fuel nozzle latches to be disabled? Or is it just company policies?
paul_c123 said:
They're not always disabled. I reckon about half the HGV diesel ones have them on. I am guessing, this means there is no legislation preventing them, its just that garage operators don't routinely spec their pumps with them any more (except half the HGV diesel ones...)
Hmm. Perhaps an insurance reason instead, as most pumps I've seen have the tab on the trigger. They're just missing the pin in the handle that it latches ontoaturnick54 said:
Doofus said:
The suggestion is that if you're holding the nozzle, you're grounded, so you can't ignite the fuel with a static spark.
I use a 2mm allen key.
Which is understandably a risk present with petrol. But on diesel? It needs heat as wellI use a 2mm allen key.
Doofus said:
I use a 2mm allen key.
I put the filler cap in the handle, wedging the trigger up.If it is cold, or painful to grip it works well - and you don't need to carry anything with you.
It also annoys everyone else on the forecourt if you are filling up with both hands in your pockets.
No ideas for a name said:
Doofus said:
I use a 2mm allen key.
I put the filler cap in the handle, wedging the trigger up.If it is cold, or painful to grip it works well - and you don't need to carry anything with you.
It also annoys everyone else on the forecourt if you are filling up with both hands in your pockets.
Doofus said:
No ideas for a name said:
Doofus said:
I use a 2mm allen key.
I put the filler cap in the handle, wedging the trigger up.If it is cold, or painful to grip it works well - and you don't need to carry anything with you.
It also annoys everyone else on the forecourt if you are filling up with both hands in your pockets.
I found a working one once
It was at a recently opened petrol station.
I started to get excited thought maybe they reverse this ridiculous rule, but it seemed not, and when i went there a few weeks later it had been disabled, so i guess they probably forgot to disable them and someone check / found out.
I don't know what made me try it, its not like i try it every time out of hope, i almost never do, does make me wonder how many other pumps with it working i might have missed, was this is a 1 in a million+ chance of finding a working one on the day i decided to try it, or maybe it's much more common and I'm not special.
It was at a recently opened petrol station.
I started to get excited thought maybe they reverse this ridiculous rule, but it seemed not, and when i went there a few weeks later it had been disabled, so i guess they probably forgot to disable them and someone check / found out.
I don't know what made me try it, its not like i try it every time out of hope, i almost never do, does make me wonder how many other pumps with it working i might have missed, was this is a 1 in a million+ chance of finding a working one on the day i decided to try it, or maybe it's much more common and I'm not special.
aturnick54 said:
Having covered many miles across Europe, I love the convenience of being able to put the fuel nozzle in, and lock it open so that I don't have to stand there holding the trigger.
Most countries have them, and of course you don't hear about the issues that are commonly used as health and safety excuses for disabling them here in the UK.
I think the only countries I know of without working latches are the UK, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
However, I have come across a solution. I carry a pop rivet with me which I can simply push through the top-most hole in the nozzle handle, and then the latch works as it should. So far I haven't had any issues using it, however I'm sure one day someone will tell me I can't do that and explain the potential for diesel fuel to spark and burn the entire fuel station down
Which has me wondering. Is there any specific legislation that requires the fuel nozzle latches to be disabled? Or is it just company policies?
The first time I filled up in the UK I thought it was broken. Second time too. Third time I figured it out. Luckily I'm not in the UK often during the winter.Most countries have them, and of course you don't hear about the issues that are commonly used as health and safety excuses for disabling them here in the UK.
I think the only countries I know of without working latches are the UK, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
However, I have come across a solution. I carry a pop rivet with me which I can simply push through the top-most hole in the nozzle handle, and then the latch works as it should. So far I haven't had any issues using it, however I'm sure one day someone will tell me I can't do that and explain the potential for diesel fuel to spark and burn the entire fuel station down
Which has me wondering. Is there any specific legislation that requires the fuel nozzle latches to be disabled? Or is it just company policies?
Most of the pay-at-pump systems won't take any of my cards either. Electric is looking more and more attractive...
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