Kiln Safety

Safety Listings

CSA International tests products for compliance to national and international standards, and issue certification marks for qualified products.
Our Certification Record

UL is the trusted source across the globe for product compliance.
UL Listing
UL Listings for Canada

The CE mark indicates a product conforms to all safety and other directives/specifications presently required by the Council of European Communities.
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EU Declaration of Conformity

The PSE Mark is a mandatory mark for Japan according to the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (DENAN). It is administered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Products regulated under the DENAN law are categorized as Specified Products (SPs) and Non-Specified Products (NPSs).

Safety Recommendations

Tens of thousands of kilns are used safely in homes, schools, and professional studios throughout the world. With
a good understanding of your kiln and a little common sense you can avoid any accidents. Please observe the
following safety recommendations:

Operation

• • The stainless steel jacket and some of the other fixtures surrounding the kiln will get hot enough to burn your skin when the kiln is heated. Therefore, it is important to be extremely careful when working
    close to the kiln. We recommends posting warning signs of this potential hazard in the
    kiln room.
  • Keep anyone who cannot understand warning signs such as small children and pets
    away from the kiln when it is firing.

• • Be careful when opening the kiln door while the kiln is heated. We recommend you
    use fire rated gloves to protect your skin and make sure clothing is kept well away from
    any kiln opening or hot kiln surface.
  • The elements inside the kiln chamber will cause an electrical shock if touched. Never
    insert metal instruments or place any part of your body into the kiln while it is firing.
  • Always be sure to unplug the kiln before working on the electrical components. If the kiln is hard wired, turn off the circuit breaker.
  • Plan on being with the kiln when it is scheduled to turn off.
  • Remove all potentially combustible materials from the kiln area.
  • Long term viewing inside the kiln chamber can cause damage to your eyes. Therefore, it is recommended that you use
    IR and UV protective glasses when looking into the kiln for extended
    periods of time. #3 welders green or gray glasses will protect your eyes.

• Be cautious of intense heat around the peep holes when peep plugs are
  removed.
• In the event of a severe storm, unplug your KM kiln. Exposure to static
  shock or electrical surges can damage the circuit board in the controller.
• The kiln lids on many models are heavy. Make sure the lid brace is secure before releasing the lid. Make sure the hardware that secures the lid brace is secure and not corroded.
• Do not place anything in the kiln you are unsure of. Certain items may
  potentially melt, explode, or release toxic fumes. Items that may be
  damp (i.e.greenware, kiln shelves) have the potential to crack or explode
  inside the kiln when the moisture trapped inside them turns to vapor
  when heated.
• Never allow your kiln to exceed the temperature rating listed on the serial
  plate.
• For your safety, the protection of your kiln, and the protection of your
  ware inside the kiln, we recommend that you avoid unloading the kiln
  when it is above 125°F

Installation

• As with all electrical products there is danger of electrical shock. Use only properly sized and rated copper wire when
  installing the power supply for your kiln. We recommend this work is done by a licensed electrician.
• Kilns should always be located in a dry place to prevent electrical shock and corrosion.
• Follow all instruction for installation in this manual. Always observe fire, building and safety codes when installing any
  Skutt Product.
• If there are fire sprinklers located in the kiln room make sure they are rated high enough so they will not be set off when
  the kiln is at peak temperature. This should be tested with the kiln at peak temperature, the ventilation system turned off
  and all doors and windows closed for maximum insurance.
• We recommend having a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires easily accessible near the kiln.
• Skutt Ceramic Products Inc. will not assume liability for injury or damages caused by variations from the instructions put
  forth in this manual.
• Kilns get hot. Observe all instructions to ensure proper clearances from flammable or temperature sensitive objects and living things.
• Ventilation is key to maintaining a healthy work environment and proper room temperature. Proper installation of a Skutt
  Envirovent 2 will clear potentially harmful fumes from the room.
  To ensure proper room temperature is maintained
  consult a qualified HVAC professional.
• The proper placement of thermocouples is crucial to the proper operation of all automatically controlled kilns. Check
  all thermocouples for damage and correct placement. Thermocouples must protrude into the kiln chamber at least 1” to
  ensure an accurate reading.
• Only use the stand that is designated by Skutt Ceramic Products for your particular kiln model. Other stands may not
  properly support the weight of your kiln, provide adequate clearance, and could pose a fi
  re hazard.
• The power cord is sized correctly to handle the power for your particular kiln. Never use an extension cord.
• Make sure the power cord is routed in such away as to not touch any portion of the kiln that gets hot.
• Be careful of pinch hazards when working on or assembling the kiln.
• Be sure to properly tension the springs on kilns equipped with lid lifters.

Maintenance

• Always unplug the kiln before performing any repairs or general maintenance. If your kiln is wired direct, turn off the breaker.
• Use only Skutt replacement parts. Improperly sourced parts may pose a hazard to you and your kiln and void your warranty.
• Never modify your kiln without first consulting Skutt. Improper modifications may pose a hazard to you and your kiln
  and void your warranty.. Items such as alternative thermocouples, controllers, kiln coatings may ruin your kiln if improperly installed or applied.
• Replace any electrical components that are discolored, brittle, or corroded.
• band from slipping or flexing.

Precautions for the KilnMaster Controller

• The controller is a temperature control device. It is not a safety device.
• The maximum operating temperature is 100 F(38 C). This temperature refers to the room temperature while the kiln is
  firing and does not pertain to the internal temperature of the kiln.
• The minimum operating temperature is 33 F (1 C).
• The controller contains static-sensitive parts that may be damaged by static electricity. Use caution to avoid creating static that may damage the equipment. In areas where static electricity is common, or during dry times of the year
  throughout the country, touch the kiln lid handle before touching the controller to discharge the static.