Why do fuel stations block off pumps with cones?

SHIPSHAPE

It's a bloody nightmare and causes chaos with drivers queuing about 20 deep onto the main roads blocking access to the lights etc

Where I live after a certain time, usually around the 6pm mark, fuel stations, especially the supermarkets, put out cones so one is unable to use the pumps they block off.

There can be 20 odd pumps but they cut it down to only 4 in use so everybody queues for the only 4 available.

I work in a city so people use fuel stations 24/7 and there are always queues with late night shoppers, shift workers, taxis, sports fans after a game etc

I'm sure this must happen in most places.

But why? What is the reason? There are still more than one staff serving and they can surely see the chaos ensuing.:mad:

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Maybe they are running low on fuel stocks to supply 20 pumps at once so limit the amount of pumps available to ration their fuel until a new supply comes in.. No point having a station open if you have ran out of fuel

vikingaero

Probably changeover from day to nightshift where there may only be one person on duty in the fuel station with backup in the supermarket 1/4 mile away. Means that the best CCTV angles can be monitored by the cashier or remotely in store if it's Pay at Pump only.

bap98189

I've never seen a fuel station cone off pumps unless

a) those pumps are not working or out of fuel
b) the tanker is there delivering and they have to for safety reasons.

Both of those seem reasonable. Can't think of any other reason why they would cone off pumps.

vikingaero

I've seen loads of petrol stations do it at night for the pumps at the far ends to prevent bilking.

SHIPSHAPE

Hmmm, seems to be a few reasons and all of them valid.

It's a right royal pain though.

Storck

A single person is only allowed to monitor 8 pumps at once, this does not include the self serve only ones.

This is set out in their license to sell fuel, well it is around us not sure if it varies between authorities.

paddyrg

They rush out to lay them when they see you coming ;-)

I'm sure it must be something unavoidable if if slows them being able to take money - Tesco's know the value of a pound, for sure!!

KierNet

Storck wrote: »

A single person is only allowed to monitor 8 pumps at once, this does not include the self serve only ones.

This is set out in their license to sell fuel, well it is around us not sure if it varies between authorities.

Think we're allowed to have 6 open at a time, not sure if its company policy. But I've only had to do it once in two years as the other member of staff was leaving early.

We put cones infront of the pumps if they are broken, or run out of fuel, its not one tank for all the pumps, we have two tanks for each grade of fuel for the 12 pumps, if one tank runs out we put a out of use sign on it but can use the others...if another grade runs out, we'll close the pump off as its often just the super unleaded left that not many people want.

david39

The most likely reason (other than for security reasons at night) is that the tank(s) supplying the coned-off pumps have run dry.

Most large forecourts have several underground tanks, each supplying different banks of pumps. If one of the tanks runs dry, then the relevant pumps are not usable.

The cones are to give a clear early-warning to customers as they drive onto the forecourt not to pull up at those pumps.

Our local Tescos just put a tally on the hose nozzles when this happens. Motorists don't notice these until they have parked alongside the pump, causing chaos to others who have pulled up behind, as they try to manoeuvre across the forecourt to a set of pumps in use.

KierNet

david39 wrote: »

The cones are to give a clear early-warning to customers as they drive onto the forecourt not to pull up at those pumps.

Should come and watch them at work when they don't notice the cone infront...even have had people move them out the way before! So hard not to laugh lol.