Heat Tape Dangers
Heat tape is used in many different situations around the house, but usually for the same purpose: to keep pipes or similar devices from freezing during the cold winter months. Since heat tape uses electricity to generate heat, the primary danger comes from inadvertent fires. Electrical shock is a lesser and much rarer phenomenon, but fires resulting from faulty heat tape have caused government agencies to suggest specific guidelines on how to treat heat tape. Does this Spark an idea?
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Definition
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There are two primary types of heat tape. One is bound carefully in a straight line along the underside of a pipe, while the other winds around the pipe in a spiral. Both are connected to electrical outlets, and use the charge to produce heat that is easily absorbed by metal pipes. This heat keeps the water in the pipes from freezing in colder temperatures, saving the pipes from damage.
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Age
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Heat tape becomes much less effective and more dangerous when it ages. Cracks, along with wear and tear, can create uneven heat distribution or even current malfunctions that can lead to fires. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that heat tape should be replaced every three years to avoid potential problems.
Avoiding Other Materials
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Since heat tapes creates heat, it can pose a danger to surrounding materials, especially flammable ones. This can occur if pipes run close to wood or insulation, or if the pipes themselves are wrapped in insulation. Generally, combining heat tape and insulation is a bad idea, because the heat tends to melt or burn the insulation.
GFCI
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The USCPS also recommends that a GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, should be used with heat tape. This device senses when the electricity is not flowing properly, especially when some of the charge is escaping to a ground. The GFCI then shuts down that particular outlet before the charge can shock or create a fire.
Purposes
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Heat tape is usually designed specifically for water pipes, sometimes even for a certain kind of water pipe. It is not advisable to use heat tape on anything else, such as gutters, fuel lines, or driveways. This can cause electrical shock, damage, or even combustion.
References
- Photo Credit "Pipes and Concrete Wall" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: shaire productions (Sherrie Thai) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
