FAQ Tag: Appliances

Under desk electrical heaters are not recommended but may be used if the following criteria are met:

• Approved by Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) (this will appear on the manufacture’s label);
• Equipped with an intrinsic tip-over protection feature that automatically shuts off the heater if it is accidentally knocked over;
• All combustible materials (i.e., paper, cloth, cardboard) must be kept at least three feet away from the heater;
• Plugged directly into a wall outlet; extension cords or power strips may not be used in conjunction with a space heater; and
• Unplugged when not in use.

Outdoor grills and open flame cooking devices may be used on campus if the following guidelines are followed:

• Compressed gas (propane) grills are not permitted to be used on campus.
• Cooking devices must be placed at least 20 feet from all buildings, tents, or other structures.
• Cannot be used near air intake vents on buildings.
• Cooking devices may never be left unattended when in use.
• Every cooking device must have a 5lb ABC fire extinguisher located within 10 feet of the cooking area.
• Charcoal and wood ashes must be completely cooled before being disposed of, and must be disposed of in an approved container.
• Charcoal grills may not be stored indoors.
• Lighter fluid, charcoal or other flammable substances used in the cooking process may not be stored indoors unless stored in an approved fire rated cabinet.

Halogen lamps are not permitted to be used on campus due to their inherent fire hazard.

“UL” is an abbreviation for Underwriters Laboratory; an international corporation that tests appliances and devices to ensure that they meet minimum safety and design standards. There are other corporations that test appliances and devices (e.g., ETL) however their standards are lower than UL’s. George Mason University only allows appliances that are approved by UL and posses the appropriate UL markings.