News

The Bates Student - September 25, 1998

 
 

Bates changes policy, officially discourages halogen lamps

By ERIN MIGAUSKY
Staff Writer
 

BATES COLLEGE - Last weekend, Bates students received memos from the college safety office regarding a new policy which limits the bulb size in torchiere style floor lamps.

The new policy is the result of a warning released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Tests done by the CPSC in July of 1996 showed that halogen bulbs of 250 watts, 300 watts, and 500 watts installed in torchiere lamps could easily start a fire if they came in contact with flammable materials.

Since 1992, at least 189 fires and 11 deaths have been attributed to these lamps. In January of 1997, the 500 watt bulbs that were sold with torchiere lamps were recalled as they were shattering during use due to the extreme amount of heat generated, presenting an additional fire hazard.

In August of 1997, the CPSC issued a recall for free installation of a glass or wire guard to be used with halogen bulbs of 300 watts or less. Kelsey Lauridsen, Codes/Safety Technician at Bates College, said that discussion about adopting a policy for torchiere lamps has been going on for over a year. Concerns were for the improper use of the lamps. Lauridsen said some of the fire hazards were small particles falling into the bowl shaped light fixture, students using the lamp to hang their belongings such as coats, and the placement of the lamps near curtains.

Many colleges have banned the use of the lamp in general but "Bates is striking a balance from one extreme to the other." Phil Meldrum, the Plant Engineer of the Bates College Physical Plant, said that the Campus Safety Committee was requesting that the administration ban torchiere lamps because of fires at other colleges before the CPSC report came out.

However, it was the issuing of the report that finally led to action. The new policy, as stated in the "Safety Office Memorandum," is as follows: "Light bulbs greater than 150 watt, incandescent or Halogen, are no longer allowed. If torchiere style lamps are used, a manufactures metal guard in addition to a 150 watt bulb is required." The Bates College Store is selling the 150 watt Halogen bulbs for $7.79.

Rebecca Lovett, Assistant Manager of the store, said that the store is not selling the metal guards which are required. She said that the Safety Office provided her with the name of a manufacturer that would supply the bulbs but she was not aware of a distributer of the metal guards.

Eric Germain, the former Director of Safety who published the memo but left the College last month to pursue a new job in Connecticut, had difficulties in locating a supplier for the metal guards.

Both Lauridsen and Meldrum said there is not yet a plan to inspect dorm rooms to be sure the policy is being followed. As of now, the memo is a "request" that students switch to 150 watt bulbs in their torchiere lamps. It is up to the individual student to make the change.

However, Meldrum said that as soon as there is a fire in a dorm room as a result of non compliance with the memo, torchiere lamps will be banned.
 


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Last Modified: September 25, 1998
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