5.20 Small Appliances
Related Minnesota State Board Policy None
Related Minnesota State Board Procedure None
Purpose: To mitigate hazards associated with using small appliances that
constitute a safety risk.
Part 1: Restrictions on Use
Subpart A: For safety and energy use reasons, the use of personal small
electrical appliances on the Normandale campus is discouraged.
Subpart B: Small appliances may be permitted in rooms and offices with
automatic fire sprinklers and fire extinguishers located inside or
immediately outside the room.
Subpart C: Small appliances may not be operated unattended.
Subpart D: Personal size refrigerators may be permitted but they must
have energy star approval rating and be limited to one per office suite.
Subpart E: No personal space heaters are permitted. Space heaters issued
by Facilities Management are permitted under special circumstances.
Part 2: Responsibility
Subpart A: Approval by Facility Management staff is required for all
personal small appliances used on the campus. The following criteria will
be used:
- Appliances must be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Electrical Testing
Laboratories (ETL) listed.
- Heat-producing appliances must have an automatic shut-off.
- Appliances with open heating elements are not permitted.
- Electrical power supply must be sufficient to operate the appliance.
Subpart B: Enforcement of this policy is the responsibility of department
supervisors.
Subpart C: Building Services staff will report unauthorized use of small
appliances to department supervisors.
Policy History:
Date of Adoption: Established prior to 2011
Date of Implementation:
Date and Subject of Revisions: February, 2025. Updated Minnesota State and Facilities Management terminology.
Next Review Date: 2028