Portable, temporary heaters are used often on construction sites for various heating tasks, including thawing the ground, general drying purposes, providing warmth to workers, and concrete curing. These heaters serve these valuables purpose particularly in very cold winter temperatures. However, safety is always an important consideration with temporary heaters. Improper installation or use can lead to fires that cause injury or even death. At On Site Companies, we offer an array of portable heaters for construction projects.
Fires that result from temporary heating often occurs due to lack of proper clearance provided during installation. Direct-fired heaters which are fueled by natural gas, propane, or diesel are self-contained and unvented. They are used often on project sites and produce very intense heat that demands a certain amount of clearance for safety purposes – often about eight feet.
Safety Considerations for Portable Heaters in the Field
A good first step to safety with heaters in the field, as mentioned above, is providing sufficient clearance. However, clearance is not the only factor to keep in mind. Other important guidelines for portable heater safety include:
- Temporary, portable heaters must be installed and operated per manufacturers’ instructions and used only for their intended purpose.
- Only heaters approved or listed by a recognized testing agency such as UL/ULC or CSA should be used.
- Safe installation and use should be based on a written operating procedure based on the instructions given by the manufacturer.
- Adhere to all clearance, fuel type, and ventilation specifications indicated on the heater’s data plate.
- Ensure the heaters you intend to use are covered by your insurance policy
If there are high concerns about fire safety and ventilation, you may consider using indirect-fired heaters instead which require the use of electricity to operate. They may not provide the efficiency of direct-fired heaters, but can provide a greater comfort level regarding ventilation and fire safety.
Fire Extinguishers for Safety
Because of the intense heat produced by these heaters, it is always necessary to have tools on hand to keep any fire under control. With the fire risk posed by these heaters, it is important to have multi-purpose fire extinguishers nearby on the construction site that can put out such fires. The rating on these extinguishers at a minimum should be 3A 10BC.
To learn about the various portable heating solutions we offer at On Site Companies, call us today at 651.429.3781 or leave us an email at [email protected].
