Posted By Jeff Manion I understand you should not use mobile telephones at petrol station - due to potential source of ignition. But my vehicle is alarmed by remote, this send a signal to lock etc. My question is "is it possible to produce a source of ignition?"

Posted By Danny Swygart You are at more risk of igniting petrol vapour from static electricity off your clothing than mobile phones etc. I have a little video clip if you would like a demo of this.

Posted By Mike Craven I could never believe the fire hazard claims and so, for years, when asked about why you shouldn't use your mobile phone, I used to give my "man in the pub" response that it could "play havoc with the digital petrol gauge mechanism", thus meaning that you could be overcharged for/cheated out of your petrol. Was amazed how many people believed it - think I even convinced myself at one time!!

Posted By fats van den raad Peter Prepare to be more amazed... it is actually exteremely difficult to set petrol alight with a cigarette. Had this argument befor a long time ago in South Africa when I was in the army. To prove his point our sergeant repeatedly extinguished a lit cigarette in a tray of petrol. It needs a spark to ignite the fumes and all the lit fag can provide is a glowing ember.. Now actually LIGHTING a fag while you are filling up.... now that's a different story.

Posted By Paul Birney Jeff My workplace (print works) is deemed as being covered by DSEAR and ATEX and as such we are not allowed mobile phones in any of the zoned areas. The reason we are given is not the potential for sparks from the phones normal operations, as these would not be incendive enough, but that if you were to drop the phone and the battery was to come away from the body of the phone, the open contacts could produce a spark incendive enough to ignite a flammable atmosphere. Myself, I think it might have something to do with stopping employees from waffling on their phones all day. Paul

Posted By fats van den raad Rob No, not really as the flint(the source of ignition spark) was normally not fitted untill after reloading was completed. Mind you, chewing off the rough edges of the lead balls didn't have play havoc with your teeth!!!

Posted By colin I cant see any problem with the signal from a mobile phone. The big signs at the edge of a petrol forecourt which show the prices of fuel (55p per litre etc.) some actually have telephone aerials built into them for mobile phone companies.A friend works for OFCOM as telecommunications inspector and informs me that phone companies use these "signpost" aerials alot and without public knowledge.

Posted By Peter MacDonald I'm amazed that a lit ciggie won't ignite petrol. Seeing as we have a petroluem officer and various experts on the issue in this thread. Can you cobble together a quick RA and MS for me to carry out an experiment out in the yard!!! I was thinking of dousing the plant fitter in petrol and have the drivers ping lit fags at him. Penny for the guy. Peter