Electric Kiln Safety

(this is a work in prgress and may not present all the hazards of electric kilns)

There are several hazards from electric kilns. Accidents with electric kilns are however easily prevented.

Basic hazard prevention

• Install the kiln according to local codes and manufacturer's suggestions.
• Operate the kiln according to the manufacturers recommendations.
• Keep the area around the kiln free from clutter and combustables.
• Never put anything on top of a kiln(except the spyhole plugs) even if the kiln is off.
• Make sure spy hole plugs will not fall on anything combustable and if they are removed from a kiln place them on a non-combustable surface. At TAMUCC the spy hole plugs should be kept in their holes or on top of the kiln.
• Make sure the elements are off before loading. Do not load if the floor is wet unless the power is off.
• Make sure the kiln is cool enough before opening it.
• Do not allow visitors near electric kilns that are hot. At TAMUCC visitors are not allowed in the glaze and electric kiln area.

Electric Shock

• Do not touch elelments when the kiln is on. You must be sure the kiln is off. Stuck relays on most modern electric kilns do not show up on the display. Turn off the power at the breaker before loading.
• Wet floor greatly increase the risk of electrocution and injury from shocks. Do not load electric kilns on damp floors unless the power is off.
• Do not repair kilns without disconnectin them from the power.
• Use only element pins designed for the kiln they are used in. If the pins are too long they may conduct electricity from the elements to the kiln casing.
• Everytime the kiln is repaired the ground connections should be checked for corrosion and for continuity.

Fire Hazard

• If possible build your kiln area with non-combustable shelving. Hardyboard® or other non combustable cement board might be a good choice. Angle iron supports can be used.
• Do not store combustables (newspapers, solvents, or cloth are commonly in the studio) near the kiln.
• Make sure combustables cannot fall against a kiln
• Never place wood or plastic on top of a kiln, even if it is cold. A small piece of plywood can supply enough insulation to raise the temperature between the plywood and the kiln to a temperature hot enough to catch the plywood on fire.
• Do not make it a practice to unload kilns with gloves. It is hard on the kiln and sooner or latter you might unload work above the temperature needed to set your shelves on fire. Similarly place spyhole plugs only on noncombustable surfaces.
• Do not fire in a space that is too small to passively dissipate the waste heat from a kiln. Do not rely on a blower to dissipate heat.
• Catastropic failure of a kiln should be expected. Lids may collapse, floors or kiln stands may also. The area around a kiln should be protected by noncombustable materials and a fire and smoke detector. Do not have a kiln above red heat in a house with sleeping people, avoid having kilns inside houses. Fire kilns off during the day. Always check to make sure your kiln has fired off before going to bed.

Burns

• Do not reach into hot kilns.
• Wear non fluffy cotton when firing kilns, tie your hair back. Do not wear loose clothing.
• Make a habit of checking the kiln and spy hole plugs for temperature before grabbing them.
• Watch out for hot gasses escaping form spy holes.
• Keep the floor around hot kilns free from clutter.

Eyes

• Although the kilns may not emit enough radiation to hurt your eyes it is prudent to limit your exposure(see http://ceramic-materials.com/cermat/education/152.html ). Do not stare for long periods into hot kilns.
• If you need to look for long periods use welding glasses. As the kiln approaches and goes beyond cone ten it may becomemore important to wear welding glasses. Behind the bagwall can often be several cones above the chamber. When spraying soda if you need to look, welding glasses are a good idea. It may be important for wood firers to wear protective lenses.

Fumes

• Electric Kilns should be used in well ventilated spaces. Powered Kiln vents not only remove fumes but lengthen the life of the metal parts of a kiln.
• Kilns firing chemicals that creat hazardous fumes need special ventilation considerations.