Portable Heater Safety in the Workplace
When temperatures drop, portable heaters appear in offices, workshops, and retail premises across the UK. While they provide welcome warmth, portable heaters are one of the most common causes of workplace electrical fires. This guide covers safe usage and PAT testing requirements for portable heaters.
The Risks of Portable Heaters
Portable heaters pose several specific risks:
- Fire: Heaters placed too close to curtains, paper, clothing, or furniture can ignite materials. Fan heaters and convector heaters can reach very high surface temperatures.
- Overloading circuits: Portable heaters draw significant power — typically 2-3kW. Plugging a heater into an extension lead or a circuit shared with other high-draw equipment can overload the circuit and cause overheating.
- Burns: Hot surfaces and exposed elements can cause burns, especially oil-filled radiators that retain heat long after being switched off.
- Trip hazards: Heater cables create trip hazards, particularly in walkways and communal areas.
PAT Testing Requirements for Heaters
Portable heaters should be PAT tested annually at minimum. Heaters that have been in storage since the previous winter should always be tested before use — months in a storeroom can allow dust to accumulate on elements, moisture to affect internal components, and cable insulation to degrade.
Safe Usage Guidelines
- Always plug heaters directly into a wall socket — never into an extension lead
- Keep heaters at least 1 metre from any combustible material
- Never drape clothing or towels over heaters to dry them
- Switch off heaters when the room is unoccupied and overnight
- Place heaters on a stable, flat surface where they cannot be knocked over
- Do not use heaters with damaged cables, cracked casings, or missing guards
- Ensure adequate ventilation, especially with gas-effect electric heaters
Employer Responsibilities
Employers should have a clear policy on portable heater use. Consider whether portable heaters are actually necessary — if your fixed heating system is inadequate, that is a facilities issue, not something to solve with dozens of portable heaters plugged into ageing circuits.
Get Your Heaters Tested
Contact Green Tag PAT to arrange testing of your workplace portable heaters before winter. We cover Greater Manchester and Northwest England.
Need a PAT Test in Greater Manchester?
Based in Salford, covering all of Greater Manchester. From £59, same-day certificates.