The Oberlin Fire Department has raised concerns with the proliferation of portable heaters. As Rick Gerena (Skilled Trades Manager, Oberlin College) indicates, the use of space heaters places an undue burden (and subsequent fire risk) on the aging electric service. Beyond that, it increases the risk of fire hazard due to improper placement and/or use, and the increased use of extension cords to allow those units to be moved to convenient locations.
The proper approach is to identify the underlying reason for lack of heat and/or insulation in those areas and to fix the basic heating problem.
The Oberlin Fire Department will be looking for excessive use of portable heating devices during future inspections.
Facilities Operations is the only authorized department on campus to purchase space heaters and the use of a space heater needs to be approved through Facilities Operations.