CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
Portable Heating Equipment Risk Assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Reviewed
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Primary and secondary schools in England, including maintained schools and academies; conditionally applicable where portable heating equipment is used or being considered.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Using or considering the use of portable heating equipment in school premises. Applicability is conditional: complete and review this assessment before any portable heating equipment is used, where such equipment is proposed or present.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Fire arising from portable heating equipment, including ignition of nearby materials, unsafe placement, overheating, damage or unsupervised operation.
- Existing controls
- To be confirmed for the relevant school, equipment and location. Do not assume that controls are in place.
- Proposed controls
- Confirm whether portable heating equipment is necessary and whether a safer fixed or alternative heating arrangement is available. Restrict use to equipment that is suitable for the intended environment, in good condition and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep heaters stable, unobstructed and clear of combustible materials, furnishings, curtains, paper and clothing. Do not cover heaters or use them for drying items. Keep equipment away from circulation routes, escape routes, doors and areas where it could be knocked over. Establish who may authorise use and ensure equipment is switched off when not required, before the area is left unattended and at the end of the relevant use period. Consider supervision appropriate to the location and users. Record any local restrictions or areas where use is prohibited. Stop use and remove equipment from service if it shows signs of overheating, scorching, smoke, burning smell, instability, damaged casing, damaged controls or other unsafe condition. Arrange review after any incident, change of location, change of equipment or change in use.
Local assessment and additional controls
Burns or scalding from contact with hot surfaces, hot air outlets or other heated parts of portable heating equipment.
- Existing controls
- To be confirmed for the relevant school, equipment, users and location. Do not assume that controls are in place.
- Proposed controls
- Select equipment and locations with the needs and foreseeable behaviour of pupils, staff, visitors and other users in mind. Position equipment so that people cannot readily touch hot surfaces or place objects on or against it, while maintaining the clearances specified by the manufacturer. Prevent access by pupils or others who may be unable to recognise or avoid the hazard where appropriate to the assessed location. Keep cables routed to avoid creating trip hazards and prevent equipment being pulled or displaced. Provide local instructions on safe use, including not touching, moving or covering equipment while hot unless the task is undertaken safely by an authorised person. Stop use if the heater becomes unstable, is knocked over, has exposed hot parts or cannot be kept safely separated from people. Record any additional supervision, access restriction or emergency arrangements required for the particular location.
Local assessment and additional controls
Electrical overload, overheating, electric shock or fire caused by portable heating equipment, unsuitable connections, damaged cables or plugs, or use of more equipment than the electrical installation can safely support.
- Existing controls
- To be confirmed for the relevant school, electrical installation and equipment. Do not assume that electrical capacity, inspection or connection controls are in place.
- Proposed controls
- Identify the intended socket, circuit or supply arrangement and confirm that the proposed load is suitable before use. Do not use extension leads, adaptors, trailing multiway blocks or daisy-chained connections unless their suitability has been specifically confirmed by a competent person for the intended load and environment. Do not connect heating equipment to a supply that is already heavily loaded. Keep plugs, sockets and cables dry and protected from damage, crushing, trapping and trip hazards. Use only the manufacturer’s specified voltage and connections. Do not use equipment with damaged plugs, cables, casing, switches or other electrical parts. Arrange inspection and maintenance at intervals determined by the equipment condition, usage, environment and the school’s competent-person arrangements; retain relevant records where required by local arrangements. Remove from use immediately if there is arcing, repeated fuse or protective-device operation, overheating at a plug or socket, damage, exposed conductors, electric shock, burning smell or other electrical abnormality. Have a competent person assess suspected electrical defects before the equipment is returned to service.
Local assessment and additional controls
Unsafe use caused by equipment that is unsuitable, defective, inadequately maintained, incorrectly set up or used outside its instructions.
- Existing controls
- To be confirmed for the relevant equipment and school arrangements. Do not assume that equipment approval, inspection or maintenance has occurred.
- Proposed controls
- Maintain an inventory or other local record of portable heating equipment considered for use, including an identifiable description, location when in use, responsible owner or department and status. Before each use, check the equipment visually for damage, stability, cleanliness, intact guards and controls, and safe cable and plug condition. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and any local equipment restrictions. Do not modify, repair or disable safety features unless this is undertaken by an appropriately competent person. Keep defective, unidentified or unauthorised equipment out of use and label or otherwise segregate it to prevent inadvertent use. Define who can authorise return to service after a defect, incident, repair or inspection finding. Review the assessment when equipment, location, users, electrical arrangements or operating conditions change.
Local assessment and additional controls