Portable heaters - what to do if you're feeling cold

Colleagues are reminded not to use portable heaters in their buildings and instead report heating issues to be addressed properly.

The Estates team is aware that devices such as fan heaters are being used in some offices and spaces across our campuses as the weather gets colder.

However, these can create a number of unforeseen problems, including:

• Fire risk where heaters malfunction or are accidentally left on unattended.
• Confusing building heating systems which rely on sensors to create a consistent temperature throughout buildings. Sensors can be tricked by pockets of heat caused by heaters, resulting in the system turning off the heating in whole buildings, which affects colleagues in other areas, or pumping in cold air, conversely making the room cooler.
• Increasing the University’s carbon emissions and energy costs, which damages our sustainability ambitions.

The University’s Heating and Cooling Policy states that all rooms should be heated to a minimum of 19°C during working hours in colder months. National regulations suggest the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16°C.

Colleagues who believe their rooms are below this temperature can report the issue to the Estates Helpdesk on 0118 378 7000 or estates@reading.ac.uk.

This will allow the Building Maintenance team to investigate the problem and provide a safe and professional solution that does not inadvertently cause other issues. This can include providing a suitable heater in some circumstances, and exploring the best location to place this.

Colleagues are asked to be considerate of different heating preferences in shared spaces and wear appropriate layers for their needs.