Kerosene Heaters |
Kerosene Heaters
Increases in home heating costs have helped develop a
market for portable kerosene heaters to provide localized
or emergency heat for homes, cottages and service
buildings. Many questions are being asked about the
safety of these units. This publication answers typical
questions and suggests practices to follow when using a
portable unvented kerosene heater. (Vis. 1)
Questions and Answers
#1 How safe are the new unvented portable kerosene
heaters?
That depends upon who you talk to. Some public health and
safety officials take a cautious view of these types of
heaters. Some manufacturers and dealers, however, do not.
But it is a fact that these types of heaters can be a
potential fire hazard and that the pollutants these
heaters produce may represent a significant health
hazard.
For these reasons, some communities and some states
have banned the use of these types of heaters in homes.
Would-be buyers of unvented, portable kerosene heaters
should check with building authorities and/or fire
officials and insurance representatives first.
If this type of heater is purchased, be sure to
follow the manufacturer's exact directions for operation.
#2 What are some of the hazards of using unvented,
portable kerosene heaters?
This type of heater:
--- increases the potential of a home fire loss if it is
placed too close to combustibles
--- paper, curtains and other readily flammable household
material
--- or is used carelessly.
--- increases the potential for personal burns. Tests by
Consumer Reports (Oct. 1982 issue) show that during
normal operation, these types of heaters can develop
surface temperatures from 320 degrees F to more than 500
degrees F. Obviously, keep small children well away from
the heater.
--- produces carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas),
nitrogen dioxide (which may cause throat and lung
irritation), and sulfur dioxide (which can impair
breathing).
#3 Are there portable, unvented kerosene heaters on the
market that do not produce these gases?
No. Any heating system that burns fuel, and does not have
a chimney, will give off some gases into the room or area
where it operates.
#4 Is there an accumulative "indoor pollution hazard"
from use of several unvented appliances?
It would appear so, especially in a "weatherized" home or
a unventilated room.
Following tests of 18 types of portable, unvented
heaters, Consumer Reports states that: "We calculated the
concentration of four gases produced by these heaters ---
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and
sulphur dioxide --- in a 10x12x8-foot room with normal
ventilation. The levels of each gas were high enough to
be a serious health hazard to high-risk groups, including
pregnant women, asthmatics, people with cardiovascular
disease, children, and the elderly. The levels we
calculated for some pollutants may pose risks for healthy
people."
Hazard from indoor pollution is highest on calm days
when an unvented heater is used along with an unvented
gas range, gas refrigerator and a gas clothes dryer;
along with a vented water heater and furnace.
Only heating units connected to chimneys exhaust
products of combustion safely to the outside of the home.
#5 Of the gases that are produced by a portable, unvented
heater, which is potentially the most lethal?
Carbon monoxide. It is toxic because it interferes with
the blood's ability to carry oxygen to the cells of the
body. It may reach toxic levels in the blood stream
within minutes or several hours. Carbon monoxide may be a
particular threat to persons with heart ailments.
Early carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include
dizziness, headache, weakness, drowsiness and/or nausea.
Some people could experience impaired judgement and
irritability.
#6 Why is carbon monoxide so deadly?
Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood until
suffocation occurs. Carbon monoxide mixes with your blood
210 times quicker than oxygen, so even getting fresh air
after poisoning symptoms begin may not help and
suffocation can still occur. It takes from 10 to 24 hours
to rid the blood of excessive carbon monoxide.
#7 Do I really have to open a window one inch or keep a
door ajar to another room to maintain a margin of safety
while using a portable, unvented kerosene heater?
Yes, especially if the heater is located in a room having
less than 150 square feet. Be sure to read the
manufacturer's instructions about ventilation. The
Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends one square
inch of open window in the room where the heater is being
used for each 1,000 Btu of the heater's rated output.
For example, if the heater is rated at 9,100 Btu per
hour, and the window in the room is 24 inches wide, the
window should be opened almost one-half inch. If the
heater is rated at 20,000 Btu, that window should be open
almost 1 inch. |
This information is for educational purposes only. References to
commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension
or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property
upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension.
Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or
company. This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/27/01. Data base 02 was
last revised on 12/04/98.
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