How to Reduce Risks of Electrical Fires?

6th June 2017  |  Industrial Automation News

Since the invention of Thomas Edison’s light bulb and Nicola Tesla’s AC current in the late 18th hundreds, electricity has become an everyday necessity in households around the globe. Even though electricity plays such an important role in our day-to-day lives, we seldom give it too much thought – and when we do it’s usually too late.

 

Electrical Fire

In Europe 2 – 2.5 million fires are reported each year, resulting in 20 000 – 25 000 fire related deaths and 250 000 – 500 000 fire related injuries 1. About 80% of these fatalities occur in private homes. While smoking indoors, cooking and the use of candles represent the clear majority of residential fires, fires started from electrical and heating appliances play a significant role in the statistic and can’t be overlooked.

Onside of electrical fires playing a significant part of all the residential fires, they also consistently rank among top five causes of commercial building fires involving: hospitals, nursing homes, manufacturing plants and restaurants 3. Fires involving electricity typically result in a higher percentage of property damage than those caused by other sources.

Prevent

– Use professional electrical installers
– Install the appropriate amount of smoke detectors
– Have a sound escape plan ready
– Use electrical devices with caution and according to the instructions
– Avoid counterfeit or products from suspicious origin
– Always use high quality electrical devices and components

Identify Risks

– Incorrect installation of electrical devices or equipment
– Incorrect use of, or inability to comply with the instructions of the device or equipment (for example regarding the installation environment of the device)
– Faulty contacts which can result from mechanical stress wearing out the contacts (resistance causes heat in the connection which can set the surrounding materials on fire)
– Foreign object in an electrical device or equipment (for example dust, moisture and other foreign objects can contribute to sparking or arcing in the device or equipment)
– Irregular service of electrical device or equipment
– Otherwise defective electrical device or equipment 4

Minimize Damage

– Alarm the authorities
– Cut out the main power supply
– Use Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and dry chemical powder extinguishers
– Avoid the use of water, foam and other conductive agent extinguishers when dealing with electricity

 

Source: KATKO blog 

 

Designed to shut down electrical power systems in the event of emergencies. KATKO’s KEF side operated Fireman Switch, is available in 3 and 4 pole variants with ring handles which automatically lock in the ‘OFF’ position. The KEF side operated switch can withstand high impact and a varied temperature range.

 

KEF Fireman Switch