Portable Space Heaters

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Overview

Portable space heaters represent a significant fire hazard and their use for permanent heating is prohibited at Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC). However, there are circumstances that may require an approved portable space heater to be utilized as a temporary measure to provide heat while engineering controls are designed or installed as a permanent solution to the issue at hand. This Update specifies the evaluation that must be completed before the use of a portable space heater is approved and provides requirements for the use of all approved portable space heaters at WCMC.

 

Applicability

This Update applies to all personnel and outside contractors that use a portable space heater at WMC.

 

Responsibilities

Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) reviews and approves requests for portable space heaters at WCMC using the parameters established in this update. E&M is also responsible for the distribution and collection of portable space heaters

Laboratory Personnel ensure that portable space heaters are not used in laboratory areas.

WCMC Personnel and Contractors follow the guidelines in this document if a portable space heater is approved in a work area.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).  acts as a resource to College personnel by providing technical assistance and guidance on portable space heater use.

 

Procedure

All portable space heaters must be pre-approved by EHS and only after a thorough evaluation of the room’s standard heating and ventilation system has been completed.  Rooms must be evaluated to determine if temperatures can be adjusted via standard heating and ventilation systems to achieve established temperature comfort ranges (e.g., 68º F – 75º F for winter months).  The evaluation process includes the following steps: 

1.  Room occupants in WCMC E&M serviced buildings will contact E&M at 212-746-2288 or using the Maintenance Express website if room temperatures are not within the established temperature comfort range.  Otherwise, occupants will contact the Building Management group for other buildings.

2.  E&M or Building Management will monitor the room temperatures at various times during the day and determine if the average room temperature is not within the established temperature comfort range.  At times during extreme cold, a single temperature reading will be sufficient.

3.  E&M or Building Management will evaluate and attempt to adjust room temperatures via the standard heating and ventilation system to achieve established temperature comfort ranges.

*Note: The occupants must ensure they dress appropriately to effectively guard against cold temperatures.

4.  In the event these adjustments do not achieve the established temperature comfort range, E&M or Building Management will further investigate the room’s inability to achieve established temperature comfort ranges and determine appropriate corrective actions.  If the appropriate corrective actions cannot be immediately implemented (e.g., installation of upgraded HVAC system required), then the use of portable space heaters may be authorized. 

5.  Room occupants in E&M-serviced buildings will be provided the appropriate number of EHS-approved portable space heaters necessary to achieve established temperature comfort ranges by E&M.  Other occupants must contact EHS for approval and are then responsible for purchasing EHS-approved space heaters.  Non-EHS-approved space heaters will be discarded at the owner’s expense.

 

Restrictions and Prohibitions

The following types and uses of portable space heaters are prohibited:

  • Gas, oil, kerosene or other fossil fuel burning space heaters.  The use of kerosene space heaters is illegal in New York City.

  • Exposed heating elements or elements that glow bright orange to red.

  • Electrical cords which are damaged or frayed including spliced, taped, or exposed wires and connections.

  • Electric extension cords with space heaters.

  • Furniture and combustible materials (e.g., desks, blankets, clothing, paper, and draperies) must be at least 3 fee away.

  • Laboratory use is prohibited.

  • Displaying items or placing items on heater is prohibited.

 

Approved-Use Requirements

  • Pre-approved by EHS.

  • Design criteria for approved space heaters includes:

o   Electric power and requires less that 110 volts to operate

o   Radiator-style with oil-filled heating element is preferred

o   Heating elements must be completely enclosed

o   Built-in working thermostat

o   Tip-over shutdown feature

o   Overheat-thermal cutoff feature

  • Locate in open area which is clearly visible and away from exits.

  • Plug directly into a grounded wall receptacle.

  • Turn-off and disconnect when not in use.

  • Allow heaters to cool before storing.

  • Maintain a good working condition.

  • Check daily for damaged electric cords and dirty heater elements which can overheat and cause a fire.  Damaged space heaters must be turned off and disconnected immediately and properly disposed.

References

FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention