Electrical Fire Safety | Causes of Electrical Fire and Prevention

1. Electrical Safety

2. About Electrical Fire Most of the time in industries and apartments, fire is caused by electrical faults. Being aware of the things to do to handle a electrical fire when an electrical fire breaks out, could one day save your as well as your co-workers life In this presentation, we will learn about following: • Main causes of Electrical Fire • How these can be prevented

3. What is Electricity? • A medium that provides a very convenient means for transferring energy from one place to another • Correctly used, electricity is our most versatile form of energy • Control of most electrical hazards is neither difficult or expensive, but ignoring them can cause serious consequences Characteristics of Electricity:- Electricity has most of the characteristics of water, in that it flows and has a current that can be measured

4. Electrical Hazards BE SAFE: • Burns • Electrocution • Shock • Arc flash/arc blast • Fire • Explosions

5. Effects of Electrical Fires • Electrical Fire accidents causing injuries to personnel, loss of lives, and/or loss of properties. • Costly breakdowns causing unplanned shutdown of production equipment.

6. Causes of Electrical Fire Electricity is the major source of fire accidents. About 60% of fire are of electrical origin due to following: • Over heating • Short-circuit • Use of non-standard appliances • Illegal tapping of electrical wires/ • Improper electrical wirings/ignorance/carelessness etc • Old Wiring : They loses the strength of insulating material • Overloaded Circuits: It makes conductor become extremely hot and vulnerable to catch fire

7. Steps To Avoid Electrical Fire • Use 3 pin plugs that confirms to ISI Marks • Do not use several adopters in one socket • Use good quality adapters with correct fuse • Do not keep cooking gadgets unattended • Always use correct fuse/MCB and earthing • Do not sit too-close to room heater to keep yourself warm • Always replace broken plugs and switch immediately • Fuses and switches should be mounted on metallic cubicles for greater safety against fire

8. Steps To Avoid Electrical Fire • Keep electrical wires away from hot and wet surfaces • Switch off appliances after use and plugs should also be removed • Do not use sub-standard fixtures and appliances • Always make sure to switch off the main while leaving the home for a long time • Never use temporary or naked joints on wirings • Do not allow appliances cords to dangle • Do not lay wires under carpet, mats or doorways, they can get crushed resulting in short circuit • Do not place bare wire ends in a socket • Use Air-Insulated Switchgear and Gas-Insulated Switchgear for voltages above 1kV and up to and including 22kV • Use High-Voltage Power Cables • Use Low-Voltage Switchboard • Use Air-Break Switchgear and Fuses

9. Things to do in a Electrical Fire • Try to find the sources of fire and switch off the main switch • Try to extinguish the fire by throwing dry sand on it • Never ever use water on electrical fire • Always use Class “C” type or multipurpose fire extinguisher

10. Pre-emptive steps to reduce the risk of fire Alertness reduces the risk of fire damage • After finishing the cooking always close the knob of gas oven first and then of the cylinder • Gas Burner should be cleaned at regular interval and gas pipe should be examined regularly • Do not store kerosene while the stove is burning • Kitchen chimney should be cleaned at regular intervals to avoid deposits of oily materials which can catch fire • Make sure all electrical equipments like microwave. Chimney, TV, music system, Gas knobs, unattended AC’s are switched off • Do not smoke while in bed • Do not allow naked candles/flames to burn in front of curtains • Do not allow kids to play with matchboxes/ cigarette lighter

11. Pre-emptive steps to reduce the risk of fire Emergency exit arrangements in case of fire • Pathways/Staircase for escape routes should be indicated properly • Shopping complex/commercial buildings/multi-storey buildings should have 2 stair cases as exit routes • Elderly people/Children/Disabled people living in a multi-storied should be assisted by the occupants of the establishment to come out safely.