Manufacturers Call on Inspectors to Promote Safe Use of Infrared Heaters

With many areas of the country still experiencing a winter chill, infrared heater manufacturers call 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) has issued a free safety inspection checklist available at irsafetycouncil.org.

"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 A. 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.

The free checklist provides safety inspectors with easy access to all the information they need to make sure this 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.

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

For additional safety information or to obtain a printed brochure or download an electronic copy of it, visit IRSC's Web site at www.irsafetycouncil.org.

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About AHRI 

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI's 300+ member companies account for more than 90 percent of the residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating and commercial refrigeration equipment manufactured and sold in North America.

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