Heating is vital when undertaking construction jobs in cold environments. To secure the workers’ well-being and safety and preserve the effectiveness and integrity of the materials utilized. Temporary portable heaters are handy devices designed to provide multiple heating benefits, such as warming the working area, thawing the ground, curing concrete, or drying wet applications.
However, when utilizing portable heaters, we must be mindful of possible fire hazards resulting from mishandling or lack of adequate clearance during installation.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions Manual Faithfully
The first aspect of being mindful is how a portable heater should be installed and operated. In many instances, fires may ensue from excessive confidence in one’s skills when maneuvering these machines, taking for granted the guidelines set out in the instruction manual.
Heating technologies evolve exponentially, and modern machines are equipped with more fail-safes than ever to ensure that any malfunction does not lead to fatal consequences. Nevertheless, even the best heaters are not exempt from experiencing issues due to improper treatment.
The installation and usage of portable heaters must follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions. Furthermore, one must not use these heaters for purposes other than those laid out in the manual. Fuel type, ventilation requirements, and proper maintenance procedures are also necessary.
Only Use Certified Heaters
Likewise, certification is crucial when assessing which heaters are safe to use.
Make sure to use heaters approved by a renowned testing agency. For example, UL/ULC (Underwriter Laboratories) or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) are Canadian standard organizations that can attest to a product’s safety and optimal performance.
In addition, stick to proven brands and avoid unknown and untested ones.
If possible, Stick to Indirect-Fired Heaters.
Direct-fired heaters are far more effective in performing heating tasks. Still, they can pose more safety challenges as the fuel is directly fed to the burner. In addition, they are leaving their surroundings more exposed to combustion, especially in dry and windy environments.
Individuals unfamiliar with heater usage are encouraged to stick to indirect-fired heaters. That way, they will not be exposed to direct contact with flames. Also, the risks of uncontrolled fires will be virtually non-existent.
Always Have Fire Extinguishers at Arms’ Reach
No matter how modern and high-quality it might be, one can never be too safe with any portable heater.
For this reason, it’s always crucial to keep fire extinguishers suitable for the type of fire generated or a multi-purpose (3A 10BC) fire extinguisher. It’s also essential that those who operate the heater and other staff members near the construction site know how to use them.
