Portable industrial heaters are heating units that you can carry from location to location and set anywhere and in any position to provide heat to your office, warehouse, garage, or industrial facility. As they supply heat to only specified areas, they can help you to cut down on unnecessary utility expenses and save money.

While there are definite benefits to using portable industrial heaters, they also come with risks of overheating, electric shock, and fire. However, you can mitigate these risks to a considerable extent by taking some sensible safety measures.

Safety measures to take when using portable industrial heaters

Most of the top portable industrial heaters come with effective safety features, but they can suffer from issues due to improper usage. By taking the following safety measures when using portable industrial heaters, you may be able to prevent injuries and property damage arising from fires and accidents:

• Check that the portable industrial heater has a safety certification for indoor use. Check if the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories has included the heater in its list of devices tested for safety. Look for portable industrial heaters with safety certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), or Intertek Group (ETL).

• Always place the industrial heater on level ground, and never on furniture or carpets.

• Place the industrial heater on a suitable heat insulating material for extra safety.

• Make sure that the industrial heater has a feature to shut it down automatically if it gets tipped over somehow.

• Make sure that the portable heater has a cool-touch housing to prevent accidental burns from coming in contact with it.

• Make sure that the industrial heater has a thermostat that will shut down the unit automatically after it reaches the desired temperature.

• Keep the industrial heater in an open area and not under a table, desk, or any other enclosed space.

• Place the industrial heater away from areas where people are likely to trip over it, such as passages, exit ways, walkways, and other well-frequented paths.

• Keep the cord of the industrial heater away from well-trafficked areas and don’t run it under a carpet.

• Set the industrial heater at least three feet away from desks, file cabinets, paper boxes, trash cans, window treatments, sofas, rugs, curtains, tarpaulins, and other combustible objects.

• Don’t keep the industrial heater in an area that is frequented by children and pets.

• Do not place anything or drape something on top of the portable industrial heater.

• Always plug the industrial heater into a wall receptacle and make sure it fits tightly into it. Never plug it into a power strip and don’t use an extension cord.

• If you are not using a room, switch off the heater there and unplug it from the wall receptacle. Never leave it unattended. You can also use a programmable timer to program the heater to turn on or off at specific times.

• Do not use portable industrial heaters in laboratories.

• Do not use portable industrial heaters in bathrooms, kitchens, or any other areas where they can come in contact with water.

• Don’t touch the heater if your hands are wet.

• Do not use the industrial heater for any other purpose than for providing supplemental heat. That is, don’t use it to dry clothes, cook food, warm beds, and so on.

• Keep the portable industrial heater away from doors and windows, and keep those closed to prevent cold air from freezing it.

• Install smoke alarms in the areas where you are going to place the portable industrial heaters. So, if anything goes wrong, you will get an immediate alert and can take quick action to prevent extensive damage.

• Monitor the portable industrial heater and switch it off immediately if the heater plug, cord, wall outlet, or faceplate get hot. Get the heater examined by a qualified electrician before you use it again.

• Regularly inspect the portable industrial heater and do not use it if you notice any damaged or frayed parts. Repair it or get a new one.

• Wipe the portable industrial heater frequently to remove dust and keep it clean.