Tips For Preventing Electrical Fires At Your Facility

Electrical fires can ignite for various reasons, making them a considerable threat to industrial facilities and businesses. Overloaded circuits, faulty wiring and improper use of electrical equipment are some of the primary culprits. Neglected maintenance can also have devastating consequences. These fires often start silently and swiftly, catching businesses off guard and exacerbating the risks.

These fires can cause significant damage to your property and pose serious safety hazards for your employees. Moreover, the financial losses resulting from an electrical fire can be substantial. In 2020, there were 16,500 office and store fires in the United States, resulting in $932 million in property damage. By recognizing the common reasons and consequences of electrical fires, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your business.

Identifying the Hidden Causes of Electrical Fires

When you know how to identify the causes of electrical fires, you can significantly reduce the risk of them and work to prevent them in your facility.

Faulty Wiring

Wiring that’s outdated, damaged or improperly installed increases the risk of short circuits, arcing and electrical sparks. Frayed or exposed wires, loose connections and inadequate insulation can create conditions that ignite fires. 

• Outdated wiring: Outdated wiring systems, particularly in older facilities, may fail to meet current electrical standards and be prone to faults and failures. Insufficient capacity to handle modern electrical loads, lack of grounding or deteriorating insulation are common issues with outdated wiring.
• Damaged wiring: Damaged wiring due to wear and tear, physical impact, rodents or other factors can expose conductive elements and increase the risk of electrical faults and sparks.
• Overloaded circuits: Faulty wiring can contribute to overloaded circuits, as they may need to be rated to handle the electrical load. Overloaded circuits can lead to overheating, melting insulation and potential fire hazards.

Lack of Maintenance

Neglected maintenance slowly causes electrical components to deteriorate and worn wires and connections to loosen. Failure to regularly inspect and maintain electrical systems increases the chances of electrical faults and subsequent fires.

• Deteriorating components and wiring: Over time, electrical components such as switches, outlets, circuit breakers and panels can deteriorate due to wear and tear.
• Failure to address visible damage: Damaged electrical cords, exposed wires and loose connections are hazardous conditions that, when left unattended, can escalate. Lack of maintenance can result in these visible issues going unnoticed, putting your facility and employees in danger.
• Failing to update outdated equipment: Outdated electrical equipment may need more safety features and meet current industry standards. Older wiring systems might not be able to handle modern electrical loads, increasing the risk of overloads and subsequent fires.

How to Prevent Electrical Fires

When it comes to electrical fire safety, prevention is always the best approach. Fortunately, practical steps, from proper maintenance of electrical systems to employee education to implementing fire protection measures, can help industrial facilities and businesses minimize the risk of electrical fires.

1. Implement Proper Wiring Practices

By adhering to safety standards and employing professional electricians, you can ensure the installation and maintenance of a reliable and safe wiring system.

• Comply with electrical codes and standards: Familiarize yourself with local, national and industry-specific electrical codes and regulations applicable to your facility. Ensure that all wiring work, whether installation, repairs or upgrades, is carried out by qualified union electricians who are knowledgeable about the relevant codes. 
• Engage qualified electricians: Professional union electricians possess the necessary expertise, training and knowledge to handle electrical wiring safely. They can ensure proper connections, appropriate wire sizing, adequate grounding and compliance with safety standards.
• Plan wiring layouts and circuit design: Before initiating any wiring work, plan the circuit’s layout and design. This process involves considering the electrical load requirements, the distribution of devices and equipment and the electrical system’s capacity.

2. Educate Employees

Educating employees about electrical safety is essential in creating a culture of awareness and responsibility within industrial facilities and businesses. By providing comprehensive training and resources, you can empower your workforce to recognize potential hazards, follow safe practices and take proactive measures to prevent electrical fires. 

• Conduct safety training programs: Electrical safety training programs should cover fundamental concepts such as identifying electrical hazards, safe work practices, proper use of electrical equipment and emergency response procedures.
• Emphasize risk awareness: Educate employees about the potential risks associated with electricity and the importance of vigilance in their surroundings. Train them to recognize warning signs such as frayed wires, overheating devices or sparks, and emphasize the need to report such hazards immediately.
• Promote safe work practices: Encourage safe work practices that reduce the risk of electrical fires. Safety at work education includes emphasizing the importance of not overloading circuits, using appropriate extension cords and avoiding using damaged or malfunctioning electrical equipment.
• Create an electrical fire safety checklist: An electrical fire safety checklist serves as a helpful tool to assess and address potential fire hazards in industrial facilities and businesses. It allows you to systematically review your electrical systems, equipment and practices to ensure they meet safety standards and minimize the risk of electrical fires.

3. Create an Emergency Response Plan

An emergency response plan provides a clear roadmap for employees, outlines roles and responsibilities and establishes protocols for mitigating risks, evacuating safely and minimizing property damage.

Conduct a thorough assessment of your facility to identify potential fire risks related to electrical systems, equipment and processes. The evaluation must include identifying areas with a higher likelihood of electrical fires, such as electrical panels, machinery and areas with flammable materials. Understanding these risks is crucial in developing appropriate response strategies and allocating necessary resources.

Formulate an emergency response team comprising individuals trained and designated to respond to electrical fire incidents. Clearly define their responsibilities and ensure team members receive proper fire safety and emergency procedures training.

Create step-by-step response procedures that outline actions, including protocols for reporting the fire, initiating alarm systems, activating emergency shutdown procedures and contacting emergency services. Specify the chain of command, communication methods and designated assembly points for evacuation. Tailor the response procedures to suit your facility’s unique layout and requirements.

4. Install Fire Protection Systems

Implementing reliable fire detection systems allows for much-needed early detection of electrical fires. Consider installing smoke detectors and heat detectors in areas where electrical equipment and panels are present and in areas with a high concentration of electrical wiring. 

• Automatic fire suppression systems: Automatic fire suppression systems contain and extinguish electrical fires before they escalate. These systems utilize special nozzles and water mist technology to effectively suppress electrical fires without causing further damage to equipment or endangering individuals.
• Fire extinguishers: Place strategically located fire extinguishers throughout the facility, emphasizing areas with electrical equipment and wiring. Ensure employees are trained in properly using fire extinguishers and the extinguishers are suitable for electrical fires.
• Emergency power shutdown systems: Implement emergency power shutdown systems that can quickly disconnect power to affected areas in the event of an electrical fire. These systems may include emergency shutdown buttons, motorized circuit breakers or automated power cutoff systems.

Stay One Step Ahead With Effective Electrical Fire Prevention

By proactively maintaining equipment, you can minimize the risk of electrical fires and ensure the smooth operation of your facility. At Industrial Electrical Company, we specialize in predictive maintenance and servicing, helping businesses stay ahead of potential equipment failures and costly downtime.

Our experienced technicians utilize cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices to monitor the performance of your equipment in real-time. This proactive approach allows us to schedule maintenance and repairs conveniently, minimizing disruptions to your operations.

Take control of your equipment’s reliability and performance with our predictive maintenance services. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how Industrial Electrical Company can help you with your business.