SAFETY MATTERS
Wires and cables have become an integral part of our homes and offices, and are extensively used in electrical and electronic equipment. The importance of safety in wiring and cables can hardly be over-emphasised, writes Bindu Gopal Rao
Urbanisation has escalated the need for infrastructure like housing, malls, commercial spaces, etc. In this networked society, there is an increasing dependence on wires and cables. Buildings use a variety of cables to meet lighting, communication, air conditioning, heating, security and solar. “Many fire accidents occur due to the poor quality of wiring.
Short circuits can be attributed to the use of low-quality insulation material which is not flame retardant. During a short circuit, the cable catches fire, emits chlorine and reacts with oxygen present giving out dense toxic smoke, and also emits corrosive acids.
This toxic smoke numbs the brain, causes irritation, impairs vision and prevents a person from locating a safe exit thereby creating panic during emergency situations. An estimate describes the loss of life due to electrical fire accidents in two parts: 1/3rd of deaths happen due to primary burns or electric shock and 2/3rd of deaths happen due to inhaling of toxic gases.
It just goes to show that smoke emitted from burning of cables and wires lead to more deaths than burning itself. Many buildings use wires that are predominantly insulated by PVC, which contains chlorine. Installation of quality cables becomes an integral part during construction of buildings,” explains Srinivas K P, Managing Director, LAPP India. Safe cabling right from the structural phase is important as it prevents earthing, and fire hazards.
There should be proper conducting and proper strength of wires for this reason and it should prevent short circuiting. Adds Sandeep Pantvaidya, Vice President-Marketing, Sales and CRM, SPR & RG Constructions, “Modern day houses have so many appliances that put a lot of demand on the electrical system; computers, kitchen appliances, air-conditioners and televisions to name a few.
Hence, safe cabling is required in houses so that risks due to overload are minimal. Safe cabling is also important in order to avoid fire in case there is any breakage or short circuit. Concealed electrical wiring is the general practice used these days which provides safety and a cleaner look to homes.”
Poor wiring can lead to injury and electrically caused fires, both of which one would want to avoid at all costs. Majority of electrical fires are a result of old wiring and faulty outlets. To help prevent electrical fires in your home, it’s important to check your electrical appliances and wiring on a routine basis.
“As part of our ‘safety first’ commitment, we have taken care while wiring and cabling our flats. We have done extensive study of standard procedures so there is no danger to the resident families. We firmly believe that with electrical work, there is no excuse not to follow rules and regulations,” says Kumar Bharat, Director Bharat City, BCC Infrastructure.
Selection of electrical wires should be strictly based on the requirement/load factor.
“Neglecting the load factor and choosing the wrong wire could lead to fire hazards and burning of costly electronic items and in more severe case, threat to human life as well.
Therefore, electrical work should only be carried out by competent persons with the necessary skills and training.
To avoid any such mishaps, Havells offers wires that are FR-LSH(flame retardant-low smoke halogen) and HFFR(halogen free- flame retardant).
The FR-LSH wires are made from specially formulated PVC polymers that restrict toxic gases and smoke as they are self-extinguishing and do not allow fire to spread,” says Arvind Agrawal, Deputy General Manager, Havell India Ltd.
Practical implementation
Concealed wiring, use of circuit breakers, protection from critters, nails and any other materials that cut into the wire are some examples of how safe cabling can be done in your home. Developers and builders can install flame retardant cables or fire survival cables. These cables are Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) cables, which do not contain chlorine. The prime benefit of HFFR wires and cables is that they stop flame propagation through the sockets in which they are laid.
In the instance of fire, these HFFR cables do not emit acidic smoke, in turn reducing the fatality. Furthermore, fire survival (FS) cables sustain their composition, thus providing protection against short circuit even while burning under fire. These cables can be installed during construction of the building to offer safer homes and safer cities.
Radhika Mehra, HOD, JD Institute of Fashion Technology explains, “This can be implemented by having a plan for your electricals, working out electricity load available and total load (of the electrical equipment’s) as this helps in proper planning right from the beginning. Using FRP cables (fire resistant cables) and proper grade cables for proper functioning is also important.
Earthing is very important and ELCB (earth leakage circuit breakers) is very useful as it protects the gadgets of the house and prevents shocks. Properly rated MCBs should be used. Multi strand wires with proper rating should be used. There should be no looping in the wires in the conduit pipes. Appropriate thimbles and connecters should be used for cabling. All conduit pipes should be joined with PVC adhesives.”
Always opt for branded wires at home and seek opinion from qualified and certified electrician/consultant to work out the size of wires. Wires are usually hidden as they are installed inside the wall and hence require utmost attention because any rectification afterwards would cause huge inconvenience and it’s a costly exercise too.
Professional touch
One very important aspect is to get the cabling done through proper gauge wires and with the help of trained technicians. The wires should be of proper thickness to match different loads, and be a good brand. Cabling needs to be maintained through periodic inspection and repair since they are prone to breakages due to excessive wear and tear.
“Sub mains wires should be taken directly from the meter box to the respective floors and not be looped in between. Use of bus-bar in the main panels is very good for getting secured connections of the sub mains. Electrical, telephone, television and computer cables should all be in different conduit pipes to prevent disturbance in connection. All exterior switches should be properly covered so that no water falls on it or else water proof switches should be used,” says Mehra.
The wiring system in your home should meet or exceed the standards set by the National Electrical Code.
“The cabling can be done at home by using insulations. One needs to make sure that circuit conductors near-capacity do not overheat and to prevent this one can leave the conductor without an insulation. Before you can make electrical connections, you must first know what type of wire to use for the installation, what colour wire is needed for the application, and what the right size wire to handle the load of the circuit is. Also, one should ensure that one uses the right connection point for right kind of appliances,” says Sanjay Raj, CEO & Executive Director, Golden Gate Properties Ltd.
Tips for electrical / cabling safety
* Always follow the usage instructions on all appliances.
* Fix electrical or appliance problems right away. Use caution if fuses blow often, switches become hot or cause shocks, or circuit breakers trip often.
* Do not overhaul electrical outlets. Extension cords should not be used as permanent cords in homes.
* Damage to appliance cables and extension cords and plugs can also lead to electrical fires in the home.
* Purchase and use only safety protected lead wires and cables.
