No Phone Plz.c",)

    Guys, if u've been to a petrol/gas station, u definitely have seen above warning. Do you guys believe it? Like I said in previous post, I used to work at a petrol station for a couple months and I know how hot this issue there. On my first day working there, one of the main points were given to me was about cell phone usage while filling up the tank. I was told to kindly advise and ask the customers to stop using the phone if I see anyone break the warning.
     At the beginning, I just followed what I was told to do. I heard couple stories about explosions happened when customers just ignoring the warning from my co-workers. It definitely scares the hell out of me. However, after a while, I felt a bit curious about this and did some research about the issue. On the net, it's bit different, there is mix opinions. Some people say it's a hoax and some people beg to differ.
     At the end, honestly, I lean towards on supporting the warning. Part of me believe that explosion does can happen if we use cellphone while filling up the tank. How? Petroleum is a volatile fluid, it can easily vaporise to the air at the standard condition especially petrol with huge amount of mid range of alkanes group. If you regularly filling up your tank and stand pretty close to the pump, you should see some vapour/fumes coming out from the nozzle or tank. It's just a small amount but it's still a hydrocarbon, combustible material. Then, we all know that cell phone use electronic waves to transmit and receive data. These waves have some kind of frequency that can produce electronic statics and the statics can be the medium to ignite the hydrocarbon.
    Below are the step-by-step experiments that have been done by someone to check about the issue. I received the pics from my friends and I think it would be great if I can share these pics wt the public.
    The experiment is pretty simple and I guess most people can do it at home if you want to. Here are what you need to perform the experiment; manila card( hard paper), aluminium foil, petrol and a cell phone.
 

1. Cut the manila card into a small pieces and arrange them like what is shown above.

2. Crush the aluminium foil and put it at the top of the manila card.

3. Pour a small amount of petrol to the aluminium foil.

4. Finally, call someone. This might take a while but bear with it cz it's worth waiting.

5.Then, suddenly the aluminium foil and the manila card are burned.


    In my honest and humble opinion, the petrol station rep puts the sign for reasons, mainly for the public safety concerns. So, we got nothing to lose if we just follow it. If we really need to use phone, just walk a few metres away from the pump and do your business. Safety first bro.