NFPA Data: Faulty Electrical Network Accounted for Most Home Structure Fires
- 1. NFPA Data: Faulty Electrical Network Accounted for Most Home Structure Fires Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric
- 2. Between 2010 and 2014, fire departments from all over the US responded to an estimated average of 45,210 home structure fires that involved electrical malfunction, according to the latest report released by the National Fire Protection Associaton (NFPA). These fires resulted in about 420 civilian deaths, 1,370 injuries, and $1.4 billion worth of direct property damage per year during the period. In a residential setting, per the NFPA report, 19 percent of fires were due to electrical failure of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, nine percent were attributed to cooking equipment, and seven percent involved personal and household equipment. The major cause of electricity-ignited fires was faulty electrical distribution, accounting for 57 percent of all home structure fires during the 2010-2014 period. How Does Faulty Electrical Wiring Cause Fire? There are many ways an electrical fire may start, such as excessive thermal insulation and poor connections. In the former, electric cords are exposed to high levels of insulation (think coiling a cord multiple times and covering it with a cloth). Laboratory demonstrations, according to the InterFire, a resource center for the firefighting service industry, have shown that current-carrying electric cords that are buried in insulation may ignite.
- 3. On the other hand, poor connections between fixtures, devices, and electrical cords could result in progressive failure. The entire electric process could create localized heating, increasing temperature, and ultimately resulting in combustion. Apart from making sure there is a correct electrical network at home, homeowners can prevent electrical fires through the following: Installing tamper-resistant receptacles Keeping electrical cords away from heat and water Avoiding extension cord overload Replacing frayed or damaged electrical cords Connecting light bulbs in appropriate fixtures to match the wattage Plugging appliances directly to outlet, not extension cords Keeping space heaters away from combustible surfaces (e.g., curtains and rugs) Updating or replacing wiring of an old home Improper electrical distribution and wiring put a home structure at a heightened risk of fire. To that end, it is crucial for homeowners to take preventative steps to save not only their property or their neighbor’s, but also the lives of their families.