How to avoid causing an explosion when refuel your gas tank

It is a well-known fact that gasoline is flammable. Given the presence of oxygen and a heat source, gasoline is highly likely to explode. However, many drivers commonly leave their ignition on and their mobile phones on while refueling. This raises the question: how important is it to heed the "Turn off ignition" and "No mobile phone use" signs at gas stations?

While starting your car and turning on your phone while refueling can indeed lead to serious accidents, but there's a reason why such incidents are extremely rare. To truly understand how fires happen, here are some important facts about combustion:

Fuel: When you refuel, there will definitely be gasoline vapor in the air, but the good news is that the chances of you igniting gasoline vapor are extremely low. Gasoline vapor can only burn within a very narrow concentration range, approximately between 2% and 8%. Below or above this range, combustion will not occur. Because the combustion range of fuel is so narrow, the probability of simultaneously possessing the fuel, heat, and oxygen concentration required to ignite a flame is also very small.

Oxidizing agent: The oxygen in the air is sufficient to ignite a flame. When oxygen combines with fuel and a heat source in an ideal ignition concentration, it can cause an explosion. So basically, when you add fuel to your tank, you automatically add an ignition source to your inventory.

Heat Sources: Once the ignition switch is turned on, it generates a continuous stream of heat, enough to cause an explosion. First, the starter motor itself is a significant heat source, absorbing current and producing a high-temperature spark. Fortunately, it's located inside the engine and doesn't come into contact with air or fuel. Another potential heat conductor is the car's spark plugs, which come into contact with gasoline or air. Although spark plugs are generally well-insulated, they still require careful inspection, as a faulty insulator can allow gasoline, oxygen, and heat to come into direct contact, potentially igniting a fire.

Cell phones and static electricity: The probability of a fuel tank catching fire while refueling by talking on the phone is very low, but this doesn't mean you can't accidentally cause an explosion due to a malfunctioning phone or refueling habits. While making a phone call itself is unlikely to generate a spark, static discharge can, in very rare cases, cause a spark inside the fuel tank. When drivers enter the car while refueling and then return to the fuel tank to change the nozzle, they may carry static electricity, which can pose a fire hazard.

While you won't hear about explosions at your local gas station every day, that doesn't mean you can completely ignore warning signs, especially when they're for your own safety. If you absolutely cannot tolerate stalling while refueling, then please be safe: check the spark plugs and keep your phone away from the gas tank. After all, better safe than sorry.