A fuel dispenser pumps fuel into vehicles and containers. They can be found at public and private stations and come in different fuel types. They have safety features, and regulatory agencies inspect them for accuracy and safety.
A fuel dispenser is equipment that pumps fuel for distribution into vehicle tanks and portable fuel containers. These devices may also be known as petrol or gas pumps, depending on regional dialects, and can be found at service stations open to the public, as well as private and fleet filling stations. Numerous manufacturers produce them together with accessories and spare parts.
The fuel dispenser contains a vertical pump with metering equipment to record the amount of fuel dispensed, along with a nozzle attached to a hose to allow the operator to insert the nozzle into the tank. Environmental regulations in some regions require the use of a vapor trap nozzle to limit the release of fumes when refueling. The hoses can be color coded to alert operators to the nature of the fuel they dispense, to avoid confusions like pumping diesel into a gas car.
Stations can offer a variety of fuel types from island-mounted fuel dispensers to allow drivers to get to the dispenser they need. Gasoline and diesel are common, but gas stations can also handle propane, kerosene, ethanol, and many other fuels. Underground tanks are generally used for storage to maximize safety, and the station can use bollards and other devices to limit collisions with dispensers on the supply island.
Gas stations may carry signage, required by law, to inform people about common safety issues. Fuels can be toxic and the device may need to warn people of the dangers of inhaling fumes or using fuel. Additionally, the device may contain accessibility features such as a call button for an assistant for people who cannot operate the fuel dispenser themselves. A control module is often found on the front of the fuel dispenser for people to select a payment method and choose which fuel they want to pump.
In many regions, regulatory agencies must periodically inspect gas stations for safety issues and to confirm that they are measuring fuel correctly. Devices may need to bear stamps or seals with information about the date of the last inspection. Members of the public can report a station to a weights and measures agency if they feel they have been shorted on a transaction. An agent can check the equipment to determine if the claim is valid, and can issue a ticket at the station if they are deliberately setting up a gas station to deliver less fuel than stated on the reading.
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