![]() As a result, the wire insulation can develop cracks and let in moisture that causes a short circuit.įires also can be triggered by improper installation. ![]() Many people leave heat tapes in locations where they get hot in summer, cold in winter and wet year-round. ![]() Those tapes do not draw electricity all the time, even though they remain plugged in.Ī cycle of repetitive heating and cooling is one of several factors that can lead to fires. Modern tapes have a built-in thermostat that automatically calls for power (and the resulting heat) as the surrounding temperature drops near freezing and cuts power off as the temperature rises. You plug one end of the tape into an outlet and spiral-wrap the rest around a pipe. The heat tape that most homeowners use comes in stock lengths, like extension cords, that run from a few feet long to almost 100 feet. Some figures for deaths and injuries are higher and include estimates of property damage exceeding $25 million a year. Heat tapes are useful as well in many other situations, including exposed fuel-supply lines on mobile homes and refrigeration piping on commercial fishing boats.Ī modern heat tape certified to meet recognized standards by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) can be used safely to prevent freeze-ups and costly repairs.īut according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), heat tapes are the cause of approximately 2,000 fires, 10 deaths and 100 injuries every year. They are used mainly to keep water pipes from freezing, but they also prevent ice dams at gutters, downspouts and roof edges. But unlike all other wiring that can become hazardous if it gets hot, these tapes are specifically designed to produce heat. Heat tapes look like electrical extension cords.
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