Although the location of the heater unit is the contractor’s responsibility, the inspector should consider the location of the unit from the standpoint of safety for the motorists.

The heater unit will have transporters moving to and from it, as well as asphalt distributors or boosters pulling onto and off the highway in the vicinity of the heater. This traffic must be clearly visible to motorists driving through the construction area. Therefore, it should not be situated on or near blind curves and probably well clear of intersections.

If the heater unit is situated in the vicinity of the aggregate stockpile, it should be separated far enough away to ensure that no contamination of the aggregate occurs. Asphalt is often spilled around heater units, so it is best that the heater be situated well away from aggregate stockpiles, if practical.