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Room Heaters

Room heaters are supplied in various forms, some of which are as follows:

• Thermal storage heaters are normally permanently fixed in position and their electrical supply may be controlled by your electricity retailer, in order for you to take advantage of a lower electricity tariff option.
• Visibly glowing radiant heaters may be portable or fixed in position. You can see if the heater is operating by observing the glowing heating element. They are normally provided with a fitted fireguard.
• Liquid filled heaters are normally portable (meaning their position can be easily changed) and they heat the room air mainly by convection.
• Fan heaters are usually portable, although there are some models available that can be fixed in position. You can tell if the heater is operating by hearing the operation of the fan.
• Convection heaters heat room air mainly by convection.

Regardless of the type of room heater that you have, remember:

• Apply the "heater metre" rule. Keep the heater at least a metre away from anything that can burn.
• Always read the accompanying instructions before first use and keep them for future reference;
• Install the room heater as detailed in the instructions.

Avoid Heater Hazards

Avoid the Hazard of an Electric Shock

• If the heater contains accessible panels made of glass or similar material, do not use it if the panel is damaged;
• If the heater is fitted with a fireguard, do not operate it unless the fireguard is in place;
• Do not use portable heaters in the immediate vicinity of a bath, a shower, a swimming pool, or any other potentially wet situation;
• When replacing the lamps of fuel-effect heaters, follow the manufacturer's instructions concerning lamp replacement;
• Clean the reflector of visibly glowing radiant heaters by disconnecting the heater from the electrical supply and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Avoid the Hazard of a Fire

• Always apply the "heater metre" rule. Keep the heater at least a metre away from anything that can burn.
• Always plug heaters directly into a wall socket-outlet and never into a plug-in adaptor or multi-outlet power board. Heaters can use a lot of power and can cause a serious risk of overloading and fire.
• Don't use heaters as clothes dryers. You must never cover any heater, or position it close to curtains or other combustible material.
• Keep the heater at least one metre away from bedding, curtains, furniture and clothing and any other combustible materials.
• Take particular care with visibly glowing radiant heaters standing on carpet. Ensure that this type of heater stands on a level surface and that the heat is not directed downwards towards any flooring material that may be flammable.
• If you have a heater that you are required to fill with liquid before use, regularly check that the quantity of liquid in the container is between the marked maximum and minimum liquid levels.
• Unless the heater is mounted at least 1.8 m above the floor, do not use it with an external programmer, timer, separate remote-control system or any other device that switches the heater on automatically, since there is a risk of fire if the heater is covered or positioned incorrectly.
• Oil-filled heaters contain a precise quantity of special oil. Repairs which require the opening of the oil container are to be made only by the heater's manufacturer or service agent. They should always be contacted if there is an oil leak in this type of heater.
• When scrapping oil-filled heaters, follow any environmental and similar regulations concerning the disposal of the oil.
• The fireguard of visibly glowing radiant heaters is intended to prevent direct access to heating elements and must be in place when the heater is in use.
• Keep your heater clean and avoid the build-up of dust and debris within the heater enclosure.  Always clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions and disconnect it before cleaning from the power supply.

Avoid the Hazard of Burns or Personal Injury

• If you have a heater that you are required to fill with liquid before use, regularly check that the quantity of liquid in the container is between the marked maximum and minimum liquid levels.
• If the heater is fitted with a fireguard, do not operate the heater unless the fireguard is in place.
• Oil-filled heaters contain a precise quantity of special oil. Repairs which require the opening of the oil container are to be made only by the heater's manufacturer or service agent. They should always be contacted if there is an oil leak in this type of heater.
• The fireguard of visibly glowing radiant heaters does not give full protection for young children or infirm persons.
• Never leave very young children unsupervised in a room when a heater is on.
• The fireguard of visibly glowing radiant heaters is intended to prevent direct access to heating elements and must be in place when the heater is in use.