Can anyone shed any light on the legality of using diesel fired space heaters ina large warehouse.... A specific risk assessment has been carried out, heaters are serviced routinely, and also PAT tested. They are a standard design, using 240V to start the heating system.
They run on red diesel not waste oil, and the storage facilities are suitable, ventilation is by way of the roller shutter doors and the shed itslef is 300m x 200m x 20m approx
One of the fitters claims they cannot be used but could not substantiate his claims.. anytime soon they will be getting cold so any advice would be appreciated....

Hi Mark, diesel space heaters are made for the very purpose you intend so I don't think legality is an issue. If you have the documented risk assessments (including fire precautions and use/refilling) and safe operating procedures in place then I cannot see why your fitter has an issue. In these circumstances I always ask the individual to supply the reference in which their claim is based, usually it is "I heard from a friend of a friend etc". If I would add anything it would be to make sure your fire alarm system isn't affected and make your insurance company aware if you haven't already done so.

Hi John, totally agree that any non permanent heating solution, whether it is electric, LPG or diesel is always second best and yes red diesel systems are probably the last resort, however in answering Mark's original post "Can anyone shed any light on the legality of using diesel fired space heaters in a large warehouse.." the answer was there is no legal issue as long as suitable and sufficient risk assessments have been carried out and any corrective actions implemented. This would have included ventilation considerations and all other safety related matters. A 300m x 200m x 20m shed is a fair size to heat and unless Mark can work wonders and have a fixed heating system installed in the next month then he is going to have some very cold workers to placate. I also take issue with employees making blanket statements which reference H&S rules or other laws which don't appear to exist, if his fitter does know of a law which prevents the use of these heaters then I would like to know which one so I can inform my local hire company to stop advertising them. Just for the record I have been forced to use temporary heating in the past due to failures in the fixed system and would not actively recommend any type do to the many unforeseen dangers they present.

We stopped using a Clarke diesel space heater because its a "catch 22". There are no statutes we could find about using one but the fumes it was emitting were very bad (causing headaches etc.). Providing adequate ventilation meant that no heat was retained and it was useless for the purpose (just burnt fuel). The other issue was we could only use it for specific operations, grinding for example produces combustible metal dust. Not a good combination.
Basically, if you can use it to maintain a suitable temperature AND vent the fumes, no issue. Otherwise its a bit of a chocolate tea pot.

As stuff4blokes mentioned, the building and contents insurers will need to be told and a premium loading will be applied. When I used to do this kind of thing, the loading was 20-50% of the fire premium. IIRC, 50% was reserved for the LPG portable space heaters and salamanders etc.

Note, in the case of warehouses the stock contents may be insured by a different firm to the buildings.

Loadings are applied because portable heaters have a poor history of starting fires, usually due to unsuitable siting.

Failure to advise insurers of their use could result in a claim being declined. Will depend on what warranties and conditions are applied to the policy.