Contacts
DCAMM Office of Facilities Management and Decarbonization
Online
The Details of DCAMM Managed Buildings - Portable Space Heater Policy
What you need for DCAMM Managed Buildings - Portable Space Heater Policy
Prior to any approval:
• The building facility manager or designee will inspect the electrical panel servicing the area in question to ensure the added load will not cause outages.
• The DCAMM Life/ Safety Officer or designee will inspect the device to make sure it has a U/L approval sticker and is in good working condition; (there should be NO evidence of frayed wiring, bad plugs, or missing knobs).
• The area where the heater is to be located will be inspected by the DCAMM Life/ Safety Officer or designee to ensure the area is free from any clutter, storage, or combustible material.
• A written approval form detailing the rules and responsibilities will be signed by the facility manager or designee and the individual requesting the waiver. A copy will be forwarded to the individual’s supervisor.
• Please note: Any devices deemed questionable by the Facility Manager or designee must be inspected by a licensed electrician for safety. (Cost of this inspection is at the discretion of the Facility Manager.)
How to request DCAMM Managed Buildings - Portable Space Heater Policy
Should an exception to this policy be requested, a Portable Space Heater Request and Approval Form must be submitted to the DCAMM Operations Office, Room 107 McCormack building. Requests may come from an individual or from an agency ADA Liaison for an individual’s reasonable accommodation. Please note: The request must be approved by the requestor’s supervisor prior to submittal.
Next steps for DCAMM Managed Buildings - Portable Space Heater Policy
After approval
• A log of approved devices will be kept in the building’s DCAMM Management Office.
• Space heaters will be periodically checked at these locations during the winter months or at a minimum annually.
• The occupant will be responsible for turning the heater off every day, and removing the plug from the wall for the weekends. Failure to do so will result in the waiver being pulled.
To ensure compliance of this policy, periodic inspections of spaces will be done during the winter months or at a minimum annually.
More info for DCAMM Managed Buildings - Portable Space Heater Policy
Portable space heaters are not allowed in any State Office Building managed by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance.
• According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), space heaters can pose a major fire safety hazard in commercial buildings. Therefore, there is a concern for the improper use of space heaters in our buildings.
• Unauthorized use of these devices cause power outages due to circuit overload, and thus are a disruption to entire work areas.
• A space heater changes the building thermostat readings in the area; the building warm air supply will be reduced as a result of the space heater output causing discomfort to others.