Electrical Fires: addressing the root causes for a safer future

The following article calls for preventing electrical fires; a comprehensive and legally binding regulatory framework emphasising electrical safety in public and residential buildings is urgently needed.

Electrical failure is a leading cause of accidents. Over 40% of building fires are caused by electrical problems, frequently caused by inappropriate connections, short circuits, overloading, bad insulation in domestic equipment, and poor maintenance. These fires can start abruptly from seemingly innocuous sources like hair dryers or misused phone chargers. It is critical to address the fundamental causes of electrical fires to prevent such accidents and protect lives and property.

Balancing quality and price

The cable sector is critical to guarantee electrical safety. However, the development of numerous local players has resulted in price reductions, typically at the expense of reduced quality. This jeopardises cable line reliability, resulting in declining climatic qualities such as heat resistance, cold resistance, and moisture resistance. Similarly, emphasising cost over quality raises the risk of fires. Cable makers must promote end users’ awareness of the dangers of using low-quality wires and cables.

A Call for a stricter regulatory framework

A comprehensive and legally binding regulatory framework emphasising electrical safety in public and residential buildings is urgently needed to prevent electrical fires. The present National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) rules cover fire safety criteria for public buildings but do not specify electrical safety. The National Building Code (NBC) of India is intended to adopt the required requirement into local building ordinances through its recommendations. 

The Maharashtra state government recently enacted a fire safety ordinance requiring fire safety officials and supervisors to be present in high-rise buildings. Furthermore, both residential and industrial buildings must install IoT-enabled fire safety mechanisms. Such initiatives are a step in the right direction, emphasising the importance of fire prevention and the deployment of cutting-edge technology.

A long journey ahead

Despite periodic inspections and safety precautions, there still needs to be a large disconnect between expectations and reality. Government and industry collaboration would address this gap. To close this gap, government, as well as industry, have to collaborate. The industry may contribute insights based on ground realities, while the government can use its authority to implement applicable recommendations. More regulations and policies are required to standardise electrical and fire safety across India. For example, the sector can collaborate with the government to formalise and enforce rules governing the usage of fire survival cables and wires in high-rise buildings, malls, hospitals, and schools—all of which have a high population density. Such techniques have the potential to reduce the number of fire-related deaths drastically.

APAR’s solution for electrical fire prevention

APAR ANUSHAKTI is our flagship and ground-breaking product. Keeping in mind “Tomorrow’s Solution Today”, this house wire meets international standards for the Indian Market by exceeding the IS: 694 basic requirements with the help of e-beam technology. They can withstand temperatures up to 105 degrees C, carry 50% more current than conventional wires, last for longer than 50 years, and save energy. 

Some major characteristics are as follows: 

Non-softening, infusible & non-dripping under overload and short-circuit conditions to prevent short-circuit thus ensure fire safety.

Does not melt easily in contact with hot objects.

High Oxygen & Temperature Index for improved fire retardancy. 

Self-extinguishing and does not spread fire. 

High Insulation Resistance, avoids any electric shock.

Rugged mechanical properties–superior abrasion, cut through & crush resistance.  Better ageing property thus longer life of wires.

The tagline “Iss Taar Ki Shakti APAR” beautifully sums up the brand promise. 

Conclusion

Preventing electrical fires requires a collective effort involving stricter regulations, industry-government collaboration, and the adoption of high-quality electrical equipment. The need for reliable and safe electrical infrastructure cannot be overstated, especially as we strive for a sustainable and secure future. By addressing the root causes of electrical fires and promoting advanced solutions like APAR ANUSHAKTI wires, we can significantly reduce the risks associated with electrical incidents, safeguarding lives and properties.

For more details: 

Email: info@apar.com

Website: www.apar.com