24/7 Running PCs = Fire Risk?

Here's a short but sweet question left in my in-box by an anonymous birdie: "How safe is it to leave a PC running continuously in a domestic environment? Are there any precautions that one could/should take?" Now computers running 24/7 can put out quite a bit of heat, but I wasn't aware that such things made them fire hazards. Can someone clarify this issue?

Comments

Not much risk, with a little foresight...

[trims]

Honestly, I can't see it being any more risky to leave a computer on unattended (which is what you're really asking) than leaving the TV set on.

The big thing here is common sense. A computer is an electrical device (indeed, one that consumes a fair amount of power). You should treat it as such. By far your greatest hazzard is a short-circuit that sparks, which can result in a fire.

• Don't put it near easily flamable materials. Keep it away from curtains, your bedspread, the paper wastebasket, etc. Don't drape stuff over it.
• Don't put it in a closet with clothes. In fact, I would recommend against putting it in a closet, period, unless you have specifically prepared the closet for holding electrical devices.
• Give it good clearance and ventilation. A properly cooled system is much less likely to malfunction, and a clean airflow helps immensely.
• Keep it away from water and gas sources. Duh. Not in the kitchen, not in the bathroom, near the washer, etc. Also, not underneath that large window where it rains in all the time...
• Keep it clean. Probably the second leading cause of electrical problems is foreign crap in the device. Ideally, try to keep the machine somewhere where it won't suck in all the dust bunnies. Dust filters are good idea, and you should clean the machine periodically, particularly in places that have central air (as that tends to circulate dust).
• Watch the wiring! The biggest cause of electrical fires is wiring. Make sure you're not over-taxing the circuit the machine is on. Fine out how many Amps the circuit you're on can take, and then go make sure you're not exceeding that by all the devices plugged in. Make sure the electrical socket(s) you're using is new, and has good wiring. Make Sure It's Properly Grounded!
• Power protect it! At the minimum, buy a high-quality surge protector. Not the $7 ones, but the $30 ones that can handle a damned big spike. A small UPS is probably better. Don't plug a huge amount of devices into the strip/UPS. Don't daisy-chain the strips.
• Keep it secured from children or pets! Many people forget about this, but not only can they be a cause of unexpected crashes, but they can harm themselves and/or possibly start a fire.

All in all, common sense. One thing here: if you can possibly arrange it, put the computer in a room that doesn't have carpeting - and definately avoid rugs. It cuts down on dust and crap, and is slightly safer (linoleum, tile, concrete, or even a wood floor is much less likely to catch fire from random sparks).

Most of this advices goes for all computer-related equipment (hubs, telco stuff, UPSes...), though the low-power and general safety of small networking gear makes it possible to safely stow in closets (but do try not to stack clothes/inflammibles on it) - I usually recommend putting it in something similar to a metal milk crate.

-Erik