Oxygen and petrol stations.

[derrylynne]

What is the reason we cannot use oxygen in filling stations. Might seem a stupid questions but is there some kind of reaction between oxygen and petrol.

[postscript]

Hi Derrylynne

Oh indeed there is! ...... a reaction!

I do science stuff with kids

And a tank of oxygen can make the most boring event go with a bang, mind it has to be deliberate..... oxygen/cylinder in or near fire

If an oxygen cylinder were near a small petrol based fire then you would have an explosion and not a small one!!

It is all a bit unlikely of course but in the very very small chance then the presence of the oxygen cylinder would be devastating,

It may be health and safety gone mad but that's the reason behind it

Annoying , but hope Ive explained it

Beth x

[Toci in reply to postscript]

Yes, that's my understanding Beth, that in the event there was a fire it would be so much worse with oxygen feeding it - and the wearer would probably cook!

[derrylynne]

lol Toci. and I don't want to cook. Thanks Beth. As you say a very remote chance of that happening. This does give me and I know others a problem as I have to take the o2 off when filling. then walk to the cashier to pay. By the times I get back to the car I am gasping and have to put the cannula straight on. Glad I only need to fill up every two weeks or so..

[rayyan25 in reply to derrylynne]

Hi mate,

Just curious where do you refill your cylinder/canester is it in any petrol station? Plz help me by replying ASAP.

Many thanks.

[rayyan25 in reply to rayyan25]

By the way I'm in UK which country you located?

[johnwr]

Hi derrylynne,

This is a management answer to a small, but definite risk. When you have been using O2 for a period when still eg. sitting in a car, then there is a fair chance our clothes get saturated with oxygen. This risk is more pronounced if we use continuous flow as opposed to pulsed flow through a conserver.

Let's put a maximum risk scenario together.

It's a hot dry sunny day.

We have been driving for a couple of hours.

We have been using O2 all of the journey so far.

A static charge has built up on the car.

We pull into a service station, and park next to a pump.

The previous customer had a fuel spill onto the hot concrete.

As we get out of the car, we earth the static charge, and cause a spark.

We are within the plume of fumes given off by the spilt petrol, wearing oxygen soaked clothes.

Draw your own conclusion.

Think, be safe, and breathe easy,

johnwr