WSU Fire Safety and Compliance wants employees to stay warm safely, and offers the following tips when choosing and operating space heaters.
- Space heaters need to be listed and labeled — no making your own.
- Units must be plugged into approved receptacles. Do not plug into surge protectors or extension cords.
- Do not operate a space heater within 3 feet of combustible materials such as paper, wood, plastics, clothing, flammable liquids, and furniture.
A full description of approved and prohibited heaters and WSU SPPM 8.50 information is available online.
Approved Types of Heaters
- Oil-Filled — Non-combusting electric oil-filled heaters that distribute heat primarily by natural convection currents and low temperature radiation.
- Water/Antifreeze-Filled — Electric water or antifreeze-filled heaters that distribute heat by natural convection currents and low temperature radiation.
- Panel — Electric low-wattage heaters that distribute heat by low-temperature radiation to localized areas.
- Ceramic Element — Electric heaters with fans having ceramic heating elements that distribute heat by forced air convection. (Recommended)
- Tip over protection
- Overheating protection
Prohibited Heaters
- Electric Radiant — Electric heaters with electric elements that glow bright red or orange.
- Fuel-Burning — Heaters that burn fossil fuels or alcohol.
Contact WSU Fire Safety at 509-335-7471 or emergencymanagement@wsu.edu with questions about space heaters.
