Space Heaters on Campus

Policy

WSU Fire and Safety and Facilities Services, Operations discourage the use of portable space heaters in university interior locations for the following reasons:

• As sources of ignition, space heater can create fire hazards.
• Space heaters are not as energy efficient as central heating.
• The electric cord creates a tripping hazard.

Exceptions

University personnel may use portable space heaters if central heating is inadequate, nonexistent, or temporarily out-of-order.

Equipment

Departments are responsible for ensuring that all equipment wired to building circuits or connected by power plug is compliant with National Electrical Code (NEC) provisions. To ensure compliance, equipment must be:

• Listed by Underwriters Laboratory (UL); or
• Listed by a nationally-recognized, accredited testing laboratory
• Plugged directly into a power receptacle

Considerations

It is recommended to use the lowest wattage heater you can for the space in order to conserve energy. For safety purposes the following features are recommended:

• Automatic tip-over shut off
• Over-heat protection
• Do not operate within 3 feet of combustibles.