Heater Safety

 

Important guide leaflet for Open Fires, Portable Liquid Oil heaters, Solid Fuel Stoves & Gas Heaters & Cookers.


The most important thing that you must do is fully read the instruction manual book that came with your appliance and to follow its advice.


USING YOUR LIQUID OIL R.O.L.F. HEATER SAFELY:

  1. When you purchase a Liquid Oil Paraffin heater, you'll have to allow time for buying R.O.L.F fuel, fueling the heater and taking care of maintenance.
  2. We and the manufacturer recommends that you only use Factory sealed drums of MCLoil R.O.L.F. or Paraffin Extra R.O.L.F (Reduced Odour Liquid Fuel) in your Heater.   Do not Use Red Kerosene or Domestic Kerosene Heating oil in your Indoor Portable Heater.   If you use Red or Domestic Kerosene in your Portable Heater you will have no warranty on your heater. Additionally your Heater will not perform well as per the Manufacturers Specification.    Check with your supplier that the Fuel Exceeds C1 Grade Paraffin to BS2869.   This Fuel is usually only sold in a Factory sealed Can.   If it comes out of a pump then it’s unlikely to be C1 Grade Paraffin.
  3. It is vital that no water or moisture contaminates your fuel supply.  Otherwise your heater will not work correctly.  Water damages Heater Wicks and fuel pumps.  You need to keep your Fuel Cans sealed and in a Fresh Dry location.  Don’t forget to put the cap back on your can after you have filled Oil.
  4. The first time you use a Liquid Oil Wick Heater or if you have installed a new wick allow the Fuel to soak into the wick for an hour before starting the heater.   Inverter Heaters do not have a Wick.
  5. If you are using a Wick Oil heater you'll need to check the wick every week or two during the heating season. If it's dirty, clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  6. It's also essential to always wipe up any fuel spillage at once - it's a fire hazard - and to remove dust and dirt regularly. We recommend that you vacuum around the base of the Heater once a week and keep it dust free.
  7. Never use a substitute fuel such as Petrol or Diesel or camp stove fuel. Used in a Liquid oil heater, such fuels could start a fire or explode. Keep petrol fuel In a Separate Location to your Heater Fuel in Clearly Labeled cans. Make sure there is no Confusion.
  8. To avoid the risk of fire even in normal operation you should place your heaters 2 Meters away from all furniture, curtains, papers, clothes, bedding and other combustible materials.
  9. Remember that Fuel Oil heaters have a constant open flame and should not be used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, lacquers, petrol or diesel, fuel containers or
    any other type of oil.
  10. Parents of babies, toddlers and young children, as well as pet owners, should be aware that touching any part of an operating heater above or in front of the open flame could result in a serious burn.
  11. This is why Heater safety Shields - designed to keep small children and pets at a distance - have become popular.
  12. Never attempt to move a lighted heater. Even a carrying handle could cause a burn. Extinguish the flame and allow the heater to cool before moving it.
  13. And never refuel a heater in living quarters or when the heater is still hot. Wait for it to cool.
  14. We strongly recommend that Liquid Oil heaters be turned off before you go to sleep. It's better to use your central heating system while you are sleeping. When you turn off your Heater Please check carefully to ensure that it has gone fully out!
  15. Remember that you can lessen the risk of fire, serious burns, pollution and asphyxiation dangers from
    • All Heaters
    • Whether Open Fire
    • Gas or Oil or Solid Fuel by making Sure you room is properly Ventilated to Fresh incoming Air
  16. It's recommended that in all houses no matter what types of Heating or Cooking system you use be it, Open Fire, Gas, Oil or Solid Fuel that you have good working Stand Alone Smoke & Carbon Monoxide detectors fitted and a fire extinguisher present inside the room where the appliance is placed.

HANDLING FUEL:

  1. With a portable liquid Oil heater, you'll be making frequent trips to a heater fuel dealer to buy R.O.L.F Fuel.
  2. You need to have a clean separate storage can other than the metal Tank that comes with the heater. Be sure the Transport containers are clearly marked " R.O.L.F. Paraffin Heater Fuel"
  3. It's dangerous to mix petrol or diesel and heater fuel - or their containers. Never use a petrol or diesel can as a substitute for a heater fuel container. This could cause confusion.
  4. Always fill your own cans and know what you have and where you have it. Never send a child under 16 years of age to collect fuel. Keep Children away from all Fuels.
  5. Once you get the R.O.L.F containers back home, you'll need a safe place to keep the fuel cans and to refuel your heater. Keep your cans in a separate location to any other cans of fuel for cars, motorbikes or lawnmowers
  6. An secure Outdoor Garage or Shed is the recommended Location to Store your Paraffin ROLF Fuel. Keep all Children away from all fuels. Do not store your fuel under a Stairway.
  7. Do not refuel a hot heater. Switch it off and wait for it to cool.
  8. Follow the siphon pump instructions and fill only about 90 % of the tank. Cold Fuel expands in a heater tank as it warms to room temperature and could overflow if there isn't enough room.
  9. Return the heater to the spot where it will be turned on. Open at least one window slightly and ignite the heater according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  10. Always be present when your Heater is working and Always ensure that your Room is well ventilated. If your room Feels stuffy you may not have adequate ventilation.

If you use a Mobile Liquid Oil Heater, Open Fire Gas Heater, Gas Cooker & Solid Fuel Heaters You should take precautions against a number of potential hazards. THESE HAZARDS INCLUDE:

  1. Fire or explosion: Fire could be caused by operating the heater too close to furniture, draperies or other combustibles, by knocking over a lighted heater, or by accidentally igniting fuel when filling the tank. Explosions could be caused by use of the wrong kind of fuel, or by operating the heater in an area where there are combustible fumes.
  2. Burns: Burns could be caused by direct contact with a heater, or by ignition of combustible clothing. Children & pets especially should be kept at a safe distance from all heaters.
  3. Asphyxiation: Liquid Oil Heaters consume oxygen as they burn. If they are operated in too small a room or in an inadequately ventilated area, oxygen in the air could be reduced to a dangerous level. Reduced oxygen supply could lead to incomplete combustion of fuel and the production of Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which in sufficient concentrations, or if breathed over a period of time, can kill without warning. For more information see www.carbonmonoxide.ie It is recommended that all homes fit Separate Carbon Monoxide Detector in the room that any Heater is in use. This includes rooms with Open Fires, Gas, Oil or Solid Fuel Applicance.

    4. These hazards can be minimized or averted by carefully following the manufacturers' instructions for use of your heater, and by adopting other common-sense safety measures.

DEALING WITH HAZARDS:

  1. A well-designed Liquid Oil Heater using the recommended R.O.L.F. (Reduced Odour Liquid Fuel) fuel that Exceeds C1 Paraffin to BS2869 emits no smoke or strong odor during normal running operation.
  2. There's may be a slight Odour from Oil heaters for several minutes when they're turned on or off and when they run out of fuel. Thus, it's a good idea to check the fuel gauge regularly so that your tank does not run dry.
  3. It is very important to have adequate ventilation to other rooms, and a source of fresh, outside air such as a window or door open at least one inch whenever you're using a Liquid Oil heater. Make sure your Ventilation Ducts are not blocked and are working
  4. Liquid oil heaters could be especially hazardous in bedrooms, particularly when units designed to heat large spaces are used in small rooms. Do not use a Liquid Oil Heater in a bedroom, Boat, Tent, Caravan or Camping van. Do not sleep beside a Liquid Oil Heater or a Gas heater and do not use one in a bedroom or sleeping area.
  5. Only Use a Portable Oil or gas heater in a well ventilated Room that you are present in and awake in.

SUMMER-Autumn Heater MAINTENANCE:

Here's what to do before your heater is stored for the summer:

  • Remove all fuel from the Inner tank and discard correctly. Liquid Heater Fuel can change chemically and spoil over the summer.
  • Clean the wick if it's dirty. If it's worn out, replace according to the manufacturer's instructions. Replacement wicks are available.
  • Clean the heater and discard weak batteries. Store good batteries in a dry place, taping the ends.
  • Place the unit and accessories in a dust-free and moisture-free containers - possibly the same box the heater came in.

Here's what to do when taking your heater out of storage in the Autumn:

  • Install batteries and inspect shut-off mechanism and wick for proper operation.
  • Fill the tank with fresh Heater Fuel.
  • Go through the owner's manual to make sure you remember all the operating and safety features.

Keep the Heater box to store your heater during the summer!

McLOUGHLINS