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Are you using the right heater in your office?

15 May 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied

Heaters — Embrace the warmth of safety: Stay cozy with approved quartz heaters such as the Goldair GHQ-100G, keeping our campus secure and snug.

As winter approaches, the University of the Free State (UFS) is expecting increased heater usage. The Department of University Estates is proactively addressing this surge in energy demand caused by colder weather to safeguard our campuses and help mitigate the risk of loadshedding, ensuring uninterrupted operations for our staff and students.

By addressing the surge in energy demand caused by colder weather and promoting energy-efficient practices, UFS aims to play its part in alleviating the strain on the power system and contributing to national efforts to mitigate loadshedding.

With South Africa enjoying a recent break from loadshedding, Nicolaas Esterhuysen, Director of Engineering Services, stresses the importance of wise electricity usage to prevent outages and maintain safety. “During this uninterrupted power supply, it’s crucial to be mindful of our electricity usage, especially regarding heating in winter,” Esterhuysen emphasises. “By adopting energy-efficient practices, we contribute to the university’s energy-efficiency goals and create a safer environment."

In line with promoting energy efficiency, the Office for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is rolling out a comprehensive campaign to remove unauthorised heaters, minimising fire risks in residential and office areas.

Thato Block, Deputy Director of OHS, explains: “With the structural fire season approaching, UFS is prioritising campus safety. As colder weather looms, heaters and other warming devices will be in high demand, prompting preemptive action. OHS and the Electrical workshop will commence removing unauthorised heaters from residences and offices starting May 2024.”

Guidelines for heater usage

To ensure compliance and safety, UFS has established specific guidelines for electrical heater usage on its premises. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines permissible and prohibited heater types, along with safety measures.

According to the SOP, only quartz heaters meeting specific criteria, such as the Goldair GHQ-100G model, are permitted on campus. These heaters are designated for offices without air conditioning, prioritising energy efficiency and safety. Furthermore, heaters are not permitted in residences due to the presence of centralised heating systems.

Prohibited models like bar, fan and oil heaters are strictly banned due to their high energy consumption and fire risks. Any unauthorised heaters found on campus will be confiscated to prevent electrical circuit overload and ensure emergency power system reliability.

In addition to regulating heater types, the UFS has implemented a stringent purchasing procedure overseen by the Department of University Estates Electrical Engineers. Approval is required before requisitioning heaters, with only quartz heaters meeting purchase criteria. This proactive approach aims to effectively manage electricity consumption, especially during peak demand periods in winter.

Safety precautions

The UFS community is reminded to exercise caution when using heaters, including maintaining a clutter-free environment around the device, and avoiding covering it. It’s also important to ensure adequate distance between the heater and flammable materials, switch off heaters when unattended, and disconnect them from power sources during prolonged periods of non-use.

Commitment to campus safety

The UFS remains committed to prioritising the safety and well-being of its community. Through proactive measures and fostering safety awareness, the university aims to create a secure environment conducive to teaching and learning throughout the year.

News Archive

Enactus heeds call to be of service to its communities

2017-01-17

The newly-elected vice president of Enactus
University of the Free State, Solomuzi Khati
(third from left) with members of Enactus on
the Qwaqwa Campus.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

The future of South Africa is in good hands if Enactus activities are anything to go by. Enactus is an international non-profit organisation bringing together student, academic and business leaders committed to using entrepreneurial action to improve lives. And the Qwaqwa Campus chapter is doing exactly that – changing lives.

Community engagement
This team of enthusiastic and energetic students have touched the Qwaqwa community in more ways than one through their community engagement activities. One such activity was when they adopted the Team Spirit Centre as their partner for development and empowerment.

“Up to now, the chapter has lived up to its purpose of assisting and uplifting the Qwaqwa community. As part of our programme, we identified a problem that we are currently helping to solve,” said Solomuzi Khati, the newly-elected vice president of Enactus University of the Free State.

Skills development
“We have realised that many centres housing orphaned and vulnerable children, like the Team Spirit in Makoane in Qwaqwa, are not sustainable. Our project introduced a business concept to the centre where we helped to plant vegetables so the owner Mrs Manthabeleng could then use and sell at a later stage,” he said. “In the process, students and Mrs Manthabeleng would develop various entrepreneurial, finance and business skills for future use on top of the centre generating income to sustain itself,” he added.

Appointment of Advisory Board
Khati also revealed Enactus was in the process of inviting business and community leaders into their Business Advisory Board. “This is a group of business people who are recruited to serve as mentors for our team. Typically, a Business Advisory Board is composed of 10-50 business leaders in the community. Board members can keep students informed of current business concerns and trends, provide financial or in-kind assistance for projects, critique annual reports and presentations, and provide networking opportunities.”

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