Skip to Main Site Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Back To Top

Eastern Connecticut State University Portable Electric Space Heater Procedure

Effective Date: October 30, 2026

Application: Employees, Faculty, Students, Contractors, and Other Representatives

For More Information Contact: Director of Environmental Health & Safety at: mcfarlanet@easternct.edu

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to establish requirements for the approval, installation, operation, inspection, and removal of portable electric space heaters at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) facilities to minimize fire hazards, electrical hazards, energy waste, and personal injury.

ECSU is committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient learning and working environment. Portable electric space heaters generally are discouraged because they may create fire hazards, electric hazards, circuit overloads, and increased energy consumption. Portable electric space heaters may be permitted on a limited basis when justified and approved in accordance with this procedure.

Scope

This policy applies to all ECSU facilities, including but not limited to academic buildings, administrative offices, classrooms, facility buildings, and common areas. It also applies to all ECSU faculty, staff, students, contractors and visitors. This procedure does not apply to permanently installed heating equipment.

Policy

ECSU's primary method of providing thermal comfort shall be through properly functioning building heating systems. Before a portable electric space heater is approved, ECSU's Facilities Management should evaluate and attempt to resolve heating concerns by:

  • Repairing or adjusting the building HVAC system
  • Correcting airflow or temperature control issues
  • Relocating occupants when appropriate
  • Implementing other reasonable corrective measures

Portable electric space heaters shall only be authorized when other reasonable measures have not adequately addressed the comfort concern.

Responsibilities

Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)

  • Maintain the ECSU Electric Portable Space Heater Procedure
  • Conduct compliance inspections
  • Provide guidance regarding heater selection and usage
  • Investigating incidents involving portable heaters

Facilities Management

  • Evaluate reported heating deficiencies
  • Determine whether building systems can be adjusted or repaired
  • Review requests for portable space heater use
  • Remove or prohibit non-compliant or unsafe units

Vice Presidents, Deans and Directors

  • Ensure compliance within the campus
  • Verify approved electric space heaters are being used
  • Remove non-compliant heaters from service

Faculty, Staff, and Students

  • Comply with all requirements of this procedure
  • Use approved heaters only
  • Inspect heaters prior to use
  • Report deficiencies and malfunctions immediately

Approval Requirements

Portable electric space heaters require approval from Facilities Management and/or EHS prior to use. Approval may be granted on a case-by-case basis when:

  • Building temperatures do not provide reasonable occupant comfort
  • Electrical infrastructure can safely support the additional load
  • The heater meets all requirements of this procedure
  • The heater is used in an appropriate location

Facilities Management, Office of State Fire Marshal, EHS, and department management retain the authority to prohibit or discontinue the use of any portable heater if conditions are unsafe or the requirements of this procedure are not met by CT Fire Prevention Code Chapter 11 Section 11.5.3.

Equipment Requirements

Only portable electric space heaters that meet all the following requirements and criteria may be used with prior approval:

  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL), and FM Global approved/listed.
  • Manufacturer safety labels are present and legible
  • Automatic tip-over shutoff protection
  • Thermostatic Controls
  • Fully enclosed heating elements
  • Safety guards over heating surfaces
  • Visible power indicator light

The following portable space heaters are prohibited per the CT Fire and Prevention Codes:

  • Fuel-fired heaters
  • Propane heaters
  • Kerosene heaters
  • Natural gas heaters
  • Homemade or modified heaters
  • Heaters with exposed heating coils
  • Damaged or defective heaters

Installation and Placement

All portable electric space heaters shall:

  • Be placed directly on the floor
  • Be located on a stable, non-combustible surface
  • Maintain a minimum clearance of 3 feet from combustible materials
  • Be positioned to avoid contact with:
  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Furniture
  • Curtaind
  • Books
  • Clothing
  • Upholstered items
  • Any combustible materials

Heaters shall not be:

  • Placed on desks, tables, cabinets, or furniture
  • Installed in corridors, exits, or stairwells
  • Used in laboratory locations containing flammable materials unless approved
  • Positions where they create trip hazards

Electrical Safety Requirements

Portable electric space heaters shall be plugged directly into a permanent wall outlet.

The following are prohibited in all ECSU facilities:

  • Power strips
  • Relocatable power taps
  • Multi-plug adapters
  • Daisy-chained cords

Use of extension cords shall only be permitted for temporary use when:

  • Approved by Facilities management
  • Allowed by the heater manufacturer
  • The extension cord is UL or FM listed
  • The cord is properly sized for the heater

Load in addition:

  • Cords shall not be routed beneath rugs or carpeting
  • Damaged cords shall not be used
  • Outlets protected by GFCI devices should be used where appropriate
  • Heaters that repeatedly trip breakers or GFCI devices shall be removed from service and evaluated

Operating Requirements

Portable electric space heaters users shall:

  • Read and follow all manufacturer instructions
  • Keep the manufacturer's operating information available
  • Operate heaters only for their intended purpose
  • Monitor heaters while in operation

Portable electric space heater users shall not:

  • Leave heaters operating while unattended
  • Leave heaters energized overnight
  • Use heaters to dry clothing or other materials
  • Cover heaters during operations
  • Tamper with safety controls

Portable electric space heaters shall be turned off and unplugged:

  • The workspace is unoccupied
  • The end of the workday is reached
  • The heater is not actively needed

Restricted Locations

Portable electric space heaters shall not be used:

  • In bathrooms or wet locations unless specifically listed and approved for that purpose
  • In exit access corridors
  • In stairwells
  • In electric rooms
  • In storage rooms containing combustible materials
  • In areas containing flammable liquids, gases, or vapors
  • In areas accessible to young children without appropriate controls and supervisions

Inspection Requirements

Prior to each use, users shall inspect the heater for:

  • Damaged cords
  • Cracked housing
  • Missing guards
  • Burn marks
  • Excessive wear
  • Unusual noise or odor
  • Missing labels or certifications

Any defective electric space heaters shall be:

  • Immediately unplugged
  • Tagged “Out of Service”
  • Reported to the Facilities Supervisor
  • Removed from use
  • Repairs shall only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service provider. Users shall not attempt to repair portable heaters.

Emergency Procedures

If a heater emits smoke, sparks, overheating odors, or shows signs of malfunction:

  • Turn off and unplug heater if safe to do so
  • Evacuate the area if fire is suspected
  • Activate the fire alarm if necessary
  • Contact Public Safety and EH&S
  • Notify Facilities Management
  • Remove the heater from service pending evaluation

Enforcement

Any heater found to be unapproved for use, improperly installed, improperly operated, and/or otherwise unsafe will be immediately removed from service by Facilities Management, Office of the State Fire Marshal, EHS, or department management. Confiscated heaters will be stored and retained for the end of each semester upon which time any unclaimed heaters will be disposed of. Owner who desire to retrieve their personal heaters shall contact Facilities and EHS for retrieving them.

Failure to comply with this procedure may result in corrective action and loss of authorization to use portable heating equipment.

References

  • DAS Policy on Portable Space Heater Use (Appendix A)
  • CT Fire Prevention Code Chapter 11 Section 11.5.3
  • NFPA 70 National Electrical Code 2020 edition
  • OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S