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Generator Enclosure Safety: Placement, Ventilation & Carbon Monoxide
An enclosure protects the generator. These rules protect your family.
Portable generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), a gas you can’t see or smell. An enclosure keeps the weather off your generator, but it doesn’t change the basic rule: generators run outdoors, away from people and buildings.
Placement
- Never run a generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or attached shed, even with the doors open.
- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises operating portable generators at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust directed away from windows, doors and vents.
- Keep the generator away from your neighbors’ windows, too.
Ventilation
- Fold out The Generator Box’s side air windows before every start, and keep them open until the generator is off.
- Keep snow, leaves, lawn clippings and stored items clear of the openings.
- Don’t add insulation, foam or covers that restrict airflow or touch the muffler.
Refueling
- Turn the generator off and let it cool before opening the fuel cap.
- Store fuel in approved containers, away from the generator and the house.
- Wipe up spills before restarting.
Electrical
- Never back-feed your home by plugging into a wall outlet. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
- Use outdoor-rated extension cords sized for the load.
- Keep connections dry. The enclosure helps, but check cords for damage before every use.
Carbon monoxide alarms
Install battery-powered or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas, and test them regularly. If an alarm sounds or anyone feels dizzy, sick or weak, get to fresh air right away and call 911.
This page is general guidance. Always follow your generator manufacturer’s manual, your local codes and guidance from the CPSC.
- .080" aluminum, white textured powder coat
- 42" W × 33" D × 30" H · 85 lbs
- Hinged lid + fold-out air windows
- Padlock-lockable, bolts to your pad
Bolt it down once. Stop dragging the generator out.
$1,195 + $150 flat-rate FedEx shipping · Questions? Call (203) 267-1000