Environmental Health & Safety

May I use a space heater, i.e., portable heater?

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.

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