Does heat tape cause fires?
On One Hand: Can Be a Fire HazardYou can wrap heat tape around pipes to prevent them from freezing, but, according to Roberts & Roberts Law Firm, heat tape does sometimes cause fires to start. In fact, the firm cites statistics that indicate there are 20 deaths and 160 injuries each year from heat tape fires.On the Other: Approved Heat Tape Should Be SafeRoberts & Roberts reports that you are less likely to experience fire risks from heat tape if you choose heat tape that has been approved by Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL), which means it has passed safety tests and isn’t likely to cause a fire.
