ARLINGTON, Va. - Infrared heater manufacturers are calling on safety inspectors to pay close attention to the proper use and maintenance of their installed equipment. To help them identify potential hazards, the Infrared Heater Safety Council (IRSC) issued a free safety inspection checklist.

“As manufacturers of this heating equipment, we want to make sure our equipment is being used safely and properly, which is why we’ve developed this safety checklist and distributed it to thousands of fire and safety inspectors nationwide,” said Joseph Wortman Jr., chairman of the IRSC, which is an Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) safety education initiative dedicated to the safe use of infrared heating equipment in commercial and industrial applications.

“Many people work around infrared heaters, but likely give little thought to safety or maintenance of this equipment,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI president. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to better understand how to use an infrared heater properly to reduce potential hazards, while staying safe and warm.”

The free checklist provides safety inspectors with simplified access to all the information necessary to make sure the equipment has been safely installed and maintained, as well as a reminder to make sure the equipment owner is maintaining appropriate clearances from combustibles. The checklist is included in a comprehensive brochure that outlines infrared heater types and proper applications, relevant safety codes and standards, proper clearances to combustibles, information on proper gas connections and ventilation, proper signage, and other important safety guidelines.

For more information, visit www.irsafetycouncil.org.

Publication date: 03/16/2009