Dawg Tracks Safety Talk

Propane Heaters

The weather is finally getting cold here and propane is a common fuel used for portable heaters. While a great option to warm up your chilly work area, shop, barn, or hunting house, be aware of precautions to stay both warm and safe.

Know the difference between indoor-safe and outdoor only propane heaters:

• Outdoor use only heaters burn fuel at a higher rate, therefore increasing the risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use them inside, even temporarily.
• Indoor safe heaters feature an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) that will automatically shut the heater off if the available air flow is reduced below a safe level.

Noted Safety Tips:

• Don't place a heater directly on a plywood floor -- position it instead on a 4-foot by 4-foot square of fire-resistant drywall or cement-board.
• Keep at least 3 feet of clearance from any object around heater. Heaters used in the vicinity of combustible tarpaulins, canvas, or similar coverings shall be located at least 10 feet from the coverings.
• Do not use heaters in a manner for which they were not intended (e.g., cooking or warming/drying clothing).
• No matter how cold, no fuel-burning appliance, including indoor-safe appliances, should be left unattended or operated while sleeping.

Propane heaters need oxygen to breath. If you have a propane heater in a small space, like a shooting house, camper or small room, and it’s running on high, it is probably consuming some of the oxygen you need to breathe. Even with indoor-safe models, be sure to frequently open a door or window to let in fresh air. An airtight space could become a bad thing when using a propane heater.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious concern when using any fuel burning heaters. CO is produced from the incomplete gas combustion. Properly functioning heaters produce “ideal burns” and present no danger. However, a small malfunction over time from use or improper adjustment could result in an atmosphere for CO poisoning.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of CO Poisoning:

• Dull headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

Sources:

http://campsafe.org/2014/02/07/hello-world-2/
https://www.cenex.com/about/cenex-information/cenexperts-blog-page/propane/propaneheater-safety
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.154