Procobre Perú - Publications

SAFETY TRAINING FOR ACCIDENTS WITH ELECTRICITY

ELECTRICITY MAKES LIFE EASIER, BUT IT MAY BE A DANGER

Electricity allows us to perform many activities, but we may suffer serious accidents if we do not use it properly. According to the Fire Department, four to eight homes are burned down every day in Lima and a great number of these fires are caused by electricity.

A fire destroys everything in very few minutes

On August 1998, a firedestroyed the Lima Municipal Theater.

Also, on May 2001, a fire caused by a short circuit due to an overload, destroying in few minutes the Commercial Center “Las Malvinas” in Lima.

Considering that during the year 2000 a daily average of 18 fires were registered and that 23% of the total fires was caused by a short circuit (Source: General Fire Department), it is essential to create and foment a positive change of attitude with respect to safety issues related to electricity.

Why accidents with electricity occur?

Experts report three main failures that may cause a fire accident:

Overloads: Higher voltages to those expected generate excessive overheating in conductors, which will destroy the isolation or produce an ignition that will start a fire.
Short circuits: In case any part of the conductors is melted due to the high values in the electric current level, it will generate heat, sparks as well as flames, which represent a high risk of fire.
Isolation failures: old electrical conductors, joints or appliances in bad physical condition may cause the equipment’s metallic casing to energize, putting in danger the user’s life.

Among the most common causes of these failures we can find:

s Use of a greater number of electric lamps, devices and/or equipment than the system’s design can support.

s Excessive use of multiple plugs or connections.

s Inappropriate dimensioning of electric conductors.

s Lack of ground connection.

s Inadequate selection or replacement of fuses.

s Temporary or defective installations.

s Bad quality electric equipment or devices.

s Lack of maintenance.

s Excessive confidence in carrying out works with electricity.

s Non-compliance with regulations.

s Lack of adequate equipment, tools and personal protection when working in an electric installation.

Prevention: The best insurance against fires

It is necessary to ponder on our attitude towards safety and set out some simple lines of action:

Have an adequate design in the electric installation

Nowadays, buildings should be designed to fulfill the electric needs of today and the future with new working conditions. Therefore, it is important to have:

A design that would consider:

s The correct dimensions of cables.
s The installation of a grounding system.
s The installation of a fire prevention system.

Comply with the regulations

The National Electricity Code, the National Regulation for Construction and the Technical Regulations about INDECOPI’s products represent the foundations of the basic information that professionals of the electricity area should permanently review.

Demand its compliance

Keep the installation in good physical condition

Qualified technicians shall verify, from time to time, the load distribution and the condition of cables, conductors and electrical appliances, as well, replacing those in bad physical condition.

We shall invest today to prevent loosing in the future

When accidents with electricity occur, the material losses are enormous. However, this is only one aspect since there are many factors of which we are not able to determine its value. When we talk about protecting installed equipment, this concept implies more…

DECALOGUE:
PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS WITH ELECTRICITY

How to have a safe electric installation:

s Avoid the excessive use of plugs and extension leads in only one outlet.

s Lay out outlets adequate in location and number to avoid using extension leads.

s Do not install more than eight (8) double outlets in only one annular circuit.

s Use cables with adequate diameter so that their gauge is at least one point greater than the gauge needed for minimum safety.

s Secure the main distribution cables at regular intervals and be sure joints do not show corrosion.

s Verify that all parts of the electric installation be duly marked, indicating the current type and intensity as well as the presence of high voltage.

s Install a connection or ground system and reduce the possibility of receiving electric discharges.

s Keep your building’s electric designs and graphics duly updated and available for any consultation.

s Follow always the advice and use the services of qualified technicians.

s Schedule preventive maintenance as well as periodic trials to check all the electric installation.

How to have a safe electric installation:

Symbol – Warning of Electric Shock Risk