Further Information
UWA Safety, Health and Wellbeing information:
- Electrical safety – ‘General electrical guidance’, ‘Testing tagging and workplace inspections’ and ‘Electrical safety pamphlet’
- Plant and Equipment Safety Procedures – Appendix 5: Plant and equipment – Isolation and tagging procedures
- WorkSafe Victoria, Compliance code: Workplace amenities and work environment
- Health and Safety Executive (UK), Thermal Comfort Webpage
- Sustainability Victoria Fact Sheet: Portable heaters
Safety Contacts:
Guidelines for the use of portable heaters.
Thermal Comfort in Winter
The University recognises that thermal comfort of a room space can be a very personal matter. Due to individual differences, it is difficult to specify a thermal environment to keep everyone comfortable all of the time.
What makes some comfortable with the surrounding temperature and not others, can be affected by a range of factors including air temperature, air movement, humidity, the type and amount of clothing worn, the level of physical activity, radiant temperature of walls, floor and windows, and the amount of sun that penetrates into the building.
A temperature of 20°C to 26°C is considered suitable for light activity or office work in temperature-controlled areas. Most UWA owned buildings occupied by staff, students and residents, where centrally controlled heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is provided, the use of portable heaters in these buildings is not condoned. However, not every building on campus is linked to HVAC. Even if the building has HVAC, some work areas may be located in pockets of a building that may not achieve this temperature range, such as a reception area that faces the building entrance. That’s where portable heaters come in.
Whilst the use of portable heaters does increase the risk of electrical fire from unsafe use, and is an inefficient source of energy, these issues can be managed more effectively with some guidance. That’s why we have provided these guidelines for staff and students when purchasing and using a portable heater.
Guidelines in Using a Portable Heater
Local Work Area Responsibilities
- Where a person believes they need to use a portable heater they will need to seek approval to purchase a portable heater from their supervisor or manager.
- The supervisor or manager should consult with the local safety officer or UWA Safety, Health & Wellbeing who can provide advice on the application of these guidelines.
- The heater needs to be included in the area workplace inspection which is the responsibility of the management of the area. The local health and safety committee has a role in monitoring the workplace inspection process.
- Staff and students currently using a portable heater should obtain the same approval to ensure the continued safe use of portable heaters.
When to use a portable heater
In some buildings or rooms, there may be special conditions where portable heaters may be required for the thermal comfort of some individuals.
Portable heaters may be used at UWA workplaces and residential accommodation only under special conditions;
- when the building or room is not heated by an installed building heating system or
- when the building or room is not heated adequately by an installed building heating system, and the heating deficiency has been verified by Facilities Management (FM) technical staff by contacting FM Helpdesk [email protected]
When you should not normally use a portable heater
Portable heaters should not normally be used in buildings with installed building heating systems.
This is because portable heaters interfere with the thermostats and control systems for the building heating system. This often results in the installed building heating system competing with the portable heater, resulting in cooling of entire rooms or floors, overwhelming the effect of the portable heaters and increasing energy consumption.
Before using a portable heater in a building with an installed building heating system, it is essential to consult FM Helpdesk [email protected] to confirm that:
- the building heating system is functioning correctly and
- portable heaters will not adversely interfere with the building heating system thermostats and control systems
General requirements for portable heaters, if using
All portable heaters used at UWA must be:
- safe to use
- maintained in a safe working order and
- energy-efficient and operated to minimise the environmental impact
Do not use a heater that fails the general requirements
- Do not use a heater that fails the conditions at left.
- Withdraw unsafe heaters from service in accordance with Plant and Equipment Safety Guidance.
Heaters suitable for indoor use
Some portable electric heaters have properties that make them safer and minimise their impact on the environment. If a portable electric heater is needed, please consider purchasing one of the following, listed in order of preference:
Energy-efficient Personal Electric Panel Heaters fitted with:
- Thermostat
- Thermal overload switch
- Timer
e.g. Thermoflow Bliss personal panel
Electric oil column heaters fitted with:
- Thermostat
- Thermal overload switch
- Timer
Widely available from electrical, hardware and department stores.
Ceramic Heaters fitted with:
- Thermostat
- Thermal overload switch
- Timer
Widely available from electrical, hardware and department stores.
Electric Fan Heaters fitted with:
- Thermostat
- Thermal overload switch
- Time
Heaters not suitable for indoor use
Due to the inherent risks of their design, some portable heaters are prohibited for use in any UWA workplace or residential accommodation building. There are:
Portable Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) heaters (labelled for outdoor use only)
These heaters expose occupants to significant risk of:
- asphyxiation, as they consume oxygen and emit gasses which can displace oxygen
- fire
- burns
- explosion, due to ignition source; explosion, due to the use of LPG as a fuel source
Portable Electric Bar Radiator Heaters
These heaters expose occupants to significant risk:
- of fire
- of burns
- of explosion, due to ignition source
-
Purchasing process for portable heaters
- See UWA Safety pre purchase requirements
- Western Australia is currently working on passing legislation that would have manufacturers sell only portable heaters that show that they comply with Australian Standard AS/NZ 60335 with the marker symbol as shown. WA would be joining other states.
Do not purchase a heater that does not meet purchasing conditions
- Do not purchase a heater that does not meet the conditions at the left.
Find a safe location for the heater
Find a location for the heater that is free of the characteristics listed on the right.
Do not use a portable heater in these locations
Do not use a portable heater in or near:
- Environments that contain (or may contain) flammable atmospheres or flammable materials
- Locations where there is a likelihood of ignition
- Combustible materials such as paper, curtains and furnishings
- Kitchens, bathrooms or anywhere there is a likelihood of contact with water or other liquids or
- Any location where there is a likelihood of people making contact with the body of the heater while it is operating
Maintain your heater in a safe condition
Portable electric heaters must be maintained in a safe condition. Make sure:
- Before beginning to use a heater, it has been inspected and tested in accordance with Plant and Equipment Safety Guidance
- For new electric heaters, the first test is completed by the manufacturer, and a record of the date of commissioning should be made by the user
- That the heater is inspected regularly, to confirm that it is in good working order and has no visible signs of damage
Do not use a heater that is not in a safe condition
Do not use any heater that does not meet the conditions listed at left, or that you have any other reason to believe is not in good working order.
- Unsafe heaters should be withdrawn from service in accordance with Plant and Equipment Guidance
Monitor your heater while it is operating
Monitor your heater while it is operating, to make sure that none of the conditions listed at right occur.
Avoid these conditions of operation
Make sure:
- The heater is not left unattended while operating
- The inlet and outlet vents are never blocked or covered with items or used to dry clothes
- Double adapters are never used to supply electricity to the heater
- An extension cord is not used to supply electricity to the heater
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
