Space Heater Best Practices

Facilities Management is always striving to make the campus safe, comfortable and efficient. If you are experiencing problems with your heat, please notify Facilities Management and we will try to remedy it. Space heaters are not energy efficient and are not the safest means of providing heat. Space heaters are only intended to temporarily supplement an area’s heating needs until a permanent solution can be found to correct the heating problem.

If it is necessary for you to use a space heater, it must be inspected to ensure that it is in safe working condition. Please contact: Amanda Hyett-Ringgenberg, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist, at 320-589-6106 or the Facilities Management office at 320-589-6100, to schedule a time for inspection. After inspection, Facilities Management may remove the space heater if it is observed as creating a hazard or is inappropriate to a particular location based on specific circumstances, codes or legal requirements.

Facilities Management suggests these best practices be followed for electric space heaters:

  1. Keep it level
    1. Always place space heaters on a hard, level and non-flammable surface when in use.
    2. Space heaters must be equipped with tip over protection. If a space heater is knocked or tipped over, the unit must automatically shut off.
  2. Remember the three foot rule
    1. Ensure the space heater is at least 3 feet from anything that can burn (furniture, curtains, clothing, paper, etc.).
  3. Don’t leave it running
    1. Never leave a space heater on when you leave for an extended period of time (weekends, holidays, evenings, meetings, class, etc.).
    2. Turn off and unplug daily for safety and to conserve energy.
  4. Don’t extend yourself
    1. Never use an extension cord or power strip. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
    2. Don’t run power cords under carpets, rugs or floor mats.
  5. Keep it in good working condition
    1. Space heaters should be free of dust.
    2. Cord must be in good condition and not frayed.
    3. Should not be used in spaces where flammable or explosive vapors or dust may be present.
  6. Follow the guidelines
    1. Read and follow the manufacturers’ operational instructions before operating a space heater.
    2. Space heater must be listed and approved by Factory Mutual (FM), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), or ETL (extract, transform, load).
    3. Oil filled or ceramic element electric heaters are recommended because they are the safest alternative. Electric heaters with a glowing or exposed heating element are not recommended by the state fire marshal.
    4. No LP gas or kerosene space heaters are allowed.

Relevant Statistics:

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, in 2018:

  •  43% of home heating fires are caused by space heaters
  • 50% of all home heating fires occur in the winter (December, January, and February)
  • 53% of home heating fire deaths were due to space heaters placed too close to items such as upholstered furniture, clothing, curtains, mattress, or bedding.
  • 85% of home heating fire deaths involve space heaters.