Is This a Good Place for a Portable Space Heater?

What’s wrong with this picture?


Even a blurry photo can’t obscure the danger of placing a kerosene heater inches away from fuel containers. Hopefully, the containers are empty; but even if they are, they may emit flammable vapors that heat from the device could cause to ignite. The electrical cord stretching across the floor as a trip wire/additional source of ignition adds insult to injury.

The Moral: Temporary heating devices are a potential ignition source that must be kept a safe distance from flammable and combustible materials like chemicals, wood, paper—and even tarpaulins used to cover the heater.

Portable Space Heaters: What’s at Stake

3 Reasons to Pay Attention

Portable space heaters are a leading cause

  1. Fires;
  2. Explosions; and
  3. Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

3 Types of Portable Space Heaters

1. Kerosene Heaters

  • Largest and heaviest type
  • Use fuel grade kerosene
  • Not regulated by a thermostat
  • May require use of outside ventilation source to prevent buildup of combustible vapors

 

2. Electric Heaters

  • Lighter, cleaner and quieter than kerosene heaters
  • Function like old-style radiator
  • Typically have thermostat allowing you to control temperature
  • Electric supply and flow potential source of ignition—although most models include automatic shutoff in case of electrical surge or tip over

 

3. Forced Air Heaters

  • Lightest kind of portable heater
  • Can run on electric or liquid fuel
  • Have thermostat allowing you to control temperature
  • Generally most effective in heating a space quickly
  • Often also used as fans in hot weather

 

8 Portable Space Heaters Do’s and Don’ts

There are 8 things to do/not do when using portable space heaters at work (or even at home):

  • DO make sure you keep the heater at least 3 feet away from chemicals and other combustible items—don’t ever get into a situation like the one in the photo above
  • DON’T use a portable space heater without first getting your supervisor’s permission
  • DO make sure the space heater you use has a label indicating that it’s been tested by a testing lab like the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL)
  • DON’T use a light-duty extension cord or multi outlet strip/surge protector with a high wattage electric heater—it might start a fire
  • DO keep electric heaters plugged directly into the outlet
  • DON’T place electric heaters in enclosed spaces like bathrooms (unless you get a supervisor’s permission)
  • DO ensure that electric heaters are grounded with a 3-pronged plug
  • DON’T run the power or extension cord across the floor so that it becomes a trip hazard—the way the cord in the above photo is