What is an electrical fire?
An electrical fire is caused due to a failure or malfunction of electrical components of the equipment. Factory Fire safety consultants understand the importance of proper risk management before designing the fire risk management system.
Electrical fire is one of the commonest causes of fire accidents in industries. Industrial fires due to faulty or broken electrical equipment cause about 70 per cent of industrial fires. A major reason for an industrial electrical fire is the lack of inspection, and a failure to adhere to safety regulations are the primary causes of nearly all fires.
Typically, overload in circuits triggers breakers. But often, malfunctioning breaker boxes do not work and start electrical fires. These electrical fires fall under the Class C category. Fire safety consultants recommend fire suppression systems for 24×7 protection against such fires.
How do electrical fires start?
Electrical fires start in wires, cables, circuit breakers, and electrical components. Sometimes, lighting equipment causes fire by being a heat source next to combustible material. It could also be because of an overload and inadequate electricity distribution.
How to prevent electrical fire incidents
It is necessary to make the workforce aware of electrical fires to prevent them. Additionally, fire safety consultants must recommend training and regular maintenance of the electrical equipment. Regular maintenance through inspection and maintenance of circuit breakers is recommended. Also, factory fire safety consultants recommend replacing or repair of electrical equipment and compliance with safety codes. The electrical design should ensure properly designed electrical panels and installations.
The fire safety consultants should verify compliance with codes and statutory regulations, especially IER (Indian Electricity Rules). They must assess the risk to identify any hazards due to electrical equipment. The consultants must inspect the lightning protection system, type of process, and hazard classification. Additionally, they must check the integrity of the cable insulation by conducting tests randomly. Also, they should identify the areas prone to overloading and the current carrying capacity of the cable.
To conclude, the factory fire safety consultants must ensure compliance of the codes and statutory regulations. Moreover, the fire safety design should meet the regulatory approvals.
