Electrical Safety: A Critical Imperative for Fire Prevention

Electrical Safety: A Critical Imperative for Fire Prevention

Electrical safety is a pressing concern in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The National Fire Protection Association has identified unbranded wires made of recycled copper and PVC as the leading cause of fires in buildings. However, fires can result from various factors, including human negligence, overloading, loose connections, and poor quality conductors.

To create awareness about electrical safety, RR Kabel, a leading cable company and pioneer of wire design, technology and applicability, presented "Short Circuit se Suraksha," a special podcast on various aspects of electrical safety, powered by News18 Network, featuring valuable insights from its Head of Product Marketing, Naitik Punamiya.

An electrical engineer by training, Naitik Punamiya has extensive experience in designing and developing a spectrum of cables and wires. He has emerged as a prominent figure in the field of electrical safety, having conducted over 1000 technical presentations, seminars, webinars, and awareness programs at prestigious organizations like FSAI, IEEMA, AHSRAE, CREDAI, MES, CPWD, and many others. Naitik Punamiya's expertise extends to various aspects of electrical safety, including fire safety, security, data and communication, instrumentation, and automation. His profound knowledge in the field has made him a sought-after speaker not only in India but also in countries like Myanmar and Bhutan, where he has shared his insights with governmental and technical organizations.

Naitik Punamiya cautions about the critical role of human negligence in causing fires. He emphasizes that overloading sockets, often due to multiple gadgets connected to a single multi-socket, can lead to excessive heat, sparks, and even short circuits, culminating in disastrous fires. Additionally, Naitik highlights the risks associated with painting switchboards and MCBs, as it obstructs their functionality during emergencies.

Another significant revelation by Naitik is the role of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) in exacerbating fires. “The moment PVC comes in contact with a fire, it burns very rapidly, emitting a black poisonous smoke. This emission causes suffocation and eye damage and could make rescue operations less effective, as it blocks visibility in the event of a fire,” he explains. “We have seen that the casualties and deaths in such situations are less due to actual burning and caused more often due to the effect of the black poisonous smoke being emitted by PVC burning. It is also the cause of stampedes and people being unintentionally falling to their death because they are unable to see open facades due to this smoke. So, not only does PVC make the fire spread faster, it hampers the evacuation process.” Naitik underscores the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of using PVC in electrical wiring, to prevent such tragic outcomes.

Through the podcast "Short Circuit se Suraksha", Naitik Punamiya offers simple yet effective measures that can significantly reduce fire hazards. He recommends, “Don’t overload electrical circuits and don’t paint switchboards and MCBs and make sure they are not over 1.7 meters above the ground so that they are easily accessible. Make sure all electrical connections are tight so that there is no chance of heating, sparking, short circuits, etc. Get damaged wiring or damaged appliances fixed promptly.” Finally, as an added safety precaution, he recommends using low-smoke, zero-halogen insulation wires in homes and public buildings too.

Drawing from his wealth of experience, Naitik highlights the significance of adhering to electrical safety standards and regulations. “There are Codes and Regulations for the electrical consultants, contractors, inspectors and even end users. These guide us about the suitability of various electrical products for different purposes, how they should be installed and safety practices that must be adhered to,” he says. At the policy level, he advocates clear, standardized and enforceable guidelines to ensure the safety of all stakeholders, from manufacturers to end-users.

Naitik Punamiya’s invaluable insights shed light on the critical imperative of fire prevention. By adopting safety practices and promoting a safety-oriented culture, lives can be safeguarded and properties can be protected from the devastating impact of electrical fires. At a broader level, RR Kabel's commitment to electrical safety serves as a beacon of hope for creating a safer environment for everyone.

Moneycontrol journalists were not involved in the creation of the article.