Torpedo Heater http://torpedoheater.org Information, advice and the best deals for torpedo heaters Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:06:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Torpedo Heater Safety http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater-safety/ http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater-safety/#comments Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:47:30 +0000 http://torpedoheater.org/?p=23 A torpedo heater is a generally portable heater that has a cylindrical shape and two wheels and a carrying handle. They are powerful heaters that can easily heat large areas. Torpedo heaters are commonly used in construction sites and other large outdoor areas. They can be powered by electricity, kerosene or gasonline.

Basic Torpedo Heater Safety Tips

Choose a torpedo heater that has been tested and certified by a recognized testing laboratory in your country. Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe use. Only use an electric or vented fuel torpedo heater in a mobile home. Do not leave the heater on while sleeping or are out of the room. Place a torpedo heater on a hard flat surface, do not use it on carpets or rugs. Keep the heater at least three feet away from furniture, bedding, curtains and other flammable materials. Do not use or store flammable liquids near the stove because vapors can ignite.

Electric Torpedo Heater Safety Tips

Do not direct the hot air from the torpedo electric heater under a rug or carpet, as they may overheat and cause a fire. The use of an extension cord is not recommended. If you must use one, choose a wire #12 or #14 AWG that has been tested by an independent laboratory in your country. The heater plug should fit snugly into the socket. If the plug or the cord feels hot or if the fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet trips, unplug the heater to prevent a possible fire. Get an authorized electrician or technician to check the heater and the output before they are used again. Do not use an electric heater torpedo in a moist or wet area unless it is certified for such use.

Kerosene Torpedo Heater Safety Tips

Store kerosene in a blue ‘kerosene’ container. Do not put kerosene in a container which previously contained gas, and do not use gas and kerosene mixed together in a kerosene heater. Gas increases the flammability of kerosene, which could cause a fire. Use only 1-K grade kerosene heater in your torpedo heater, and do not fill the tank beyond the full mark. Kerosene expands when it is heated and if your overfill it could overflow and cause a fire. Mark sure that you only refuel the heater outdoors, and when it is turned off and has cooled down. Do not move torpedo the heater while it is operating or still hot. Allow maximum ventilation when using your heater to prevent accumulation of toxic gases from the torpedo heater. If a fire occurs, turn off the heater if it is safe to do so and call the fire department or 911. Don’t try to extinguish the fire with water or a blanket.

Gas Torpedo Heater Safety Tips

Unvented gas heaters built after 1983 have sensors that detect oxygen depletion levels. This allows the sensor to shut off the heater before dangerous levels of carbon dioxide can accumulate. You should always leave the room doors open to the rest of the house to avoid the accumulation of toxic gases. If you smell gas while the heater is on, turn it off immediately and open all windows and doors. Do not touch any electrical switches or telephones as a spark can ignite gas vapors. Leave the area and call an authorized repair technician.

]]> http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater-safety/feed/ 90 Torpedo Heater Pros and Cons http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater-pros-and-cons/ http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater-pros-and-cons/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:05:18 +0000 http://torpedoheater.org/?p=17 A torpedo heater is a portable, forced-air convection heater which can be used in large, well ventilated areas. Torpedo (also called Salamander) heating units use propane, kerosene or natural gas fuel. They are most commonly used on construction sites, however can be used in workshops or garages if they have adequate ventilation. There are several pros and cons of torpedo heaters and you must remember they are not suitable for all environments. Here are some of the more relevant torpedo heater pros and cons.

Torpedo Heater Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Quick heating of large areas.
  • Multiple fuel options, including kerosene, propane and natural gas.
  • Offers clean, efficient and cost effective heat.
  • Easy to use due to simple operation.
  • Many models are portable and easily transported.

Cons

  • Need power supply from mains grid or generator so will not operate during power outages.
  • Heated areas must be well ventilated.
  • Units get very hot when heating and can be dangerous to workers or passers by.

We hope these torpedo heater pros and cons have been useful to you. Please contact us if you think there is anything we should add.

]]> http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater-pros-and-cons/feed/ 81 Torpedo Heater http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater/ http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater/#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:43:00 +0000 http://torpedoheater.org/torpedo-heater/ A torpedo heater is any of a variety of portable forced-air or convection  heaters, which are often kerosene-fueled and used in ventilated areas for worksite comfort. Torpedo heaters are most commonly found at construction sites. Depending on their style, they can also be referred to as ‘torpedo furnaces’, ‘salamander furnaces’, or ‘salamander heaters’.

They have been in existance since the early 1940s, when Mr W.L. Scheu of ‘Scheu Manufacturing Company’ (at the time a leading producer of temporary portable space heating equipment), invented the Torpedo heater / Salamander heater, to provide warmth for laborers. This allowed construction crews to work in colder weather and increased productivity. With the introduction of the Salamander heater in the 1940s, sales spread across the nation, and by the 1950s across the Atlantic to Europe.

Torpedo heaters are still popular today, with makes like ‘Master’, ‘Reddy’ and ‘Dayton’ offering a range of kerosene and propane-fueled heaters with ratings from 30,000 right up to 600,000 BTU.

Although they are most popular within the construction industry, smaller torpedo heaters can also be used in garages and workshops if there is sufficient ventilation.

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