Personal Heater Issue Hot Again

The annual heater-hunting season has come again. Like the return of robins in the early spring, the State Fire Marshal’s inspector makes his annual appearance on the campus. Like many visits before, his findings are mostly routine and, according to him, predictable: Fire doors are blocked or do not properly close; too many extension cords are improperly used; a number of illuminated“exit” signs and emergency lights are not working; and illegal personal heaters are found under the desks in many offices.

Personal comfort is essential to personal productivity. No one should be expected to suffer from conditions so uncomfortable that they are physically affected. However, personal comfort is relative. It is a very difficult task to construct and regulate air conditioning to maintain a “comfort” level that does not vary more than a few degrees from one’s personal ideal. UWF’s buildings are large; some are poorly insulated; and some have large areas of glass and open areas while others are confined and populated to capacity.

Some university personnel have brought personal electrical heaters to the campus to use in offices. While this is understandable, it presents problems in several areas of safety and regulatory compliance. Devices that have the potential for causing a fire hazard are prohibited by the State Fire Marshal. The Fire Safety Inspector’s job is to find these devices and eliminate these hazards. The classic personal heater design is based on an electrical resistance coil that is poorly protected and can easily ignite paper, clothing, carpet, or any other combustible materials. Newer heater designs have better protected coils, however still generate and confine the heat so as to be a fire hazard.

A compromise has been allowed by the Fire Safety Inspector:

Personal heaters that are factory equipped with an automatic “tip over shut-off switch” may be allowed. The shut-off must work when it is tested. The fan and heating element must shut off when the heater is tipped over on the discharge grill.

Another safety concern is the amount of amperage required by personal heaters. It is not uncommon to find inappropriate and undersized flexible (extensions) cords being used to supply electricity to these devices. (A few instances were found where both a heater and a small refrigerator were being powered by such a cord.) It is a violation of the National Electric Code to use an inappropriate extension cord. It is also a violation to “daisy chain” one extension cord into another. Heaters must be plugged directly into the wall outlet.

The safety of everyone is dependent on the care and concern each individual shows by reducing and eliminating hazards. Please take care to shut off personal heaters when leaving the immediate area for an extended period of time.

Try some of these ideas:
* Bring a sweater or throw for added comfort
* If practical, place the computer CPU (tower) on the floor under the desk. (most units convert to vertical use and produce a surprising amount of heat.)
* Try to relocate yourself out of the direct air supply from the A/C register.
Everyone’s cooperation will help assure a safe working environment and prevent the University from being cited for violations of state health and safety regulations.

Updated 02/12/08 by freplogle