A quick survey has shown that while more and more homes in Dubai have fire extinguishers, residents are still less likely to attend to early-warning signs of electrical faults such as burnt sockets caused by electrical faults.

A recent survey by Duval Messien, conducted across households in the UAE, further revealed that upto 70 per cent experience faults ranging from burnt sockets to electrical ‘stings’ from electrical appliances.

Buying well-known branded appliances is not sufficient to ensure good protection against electrical faults. Before installing new appliances, residents should ensure the circuit breaker (MCB) is of suitable capacity and the electrical circuit is connected to a proper earthing system. This will not only protect the expensive appliances from damage but also avert possible electrical faults. 

“A major problem the survey has shown is that residents are unaware of electrical fires. Too often we have heard of alarming situations which for one reason or another has been left unattended or simply ignored, which not only raises the household’s exposure but also those of their neighbours,” said techinical director, Duval Messien, a French technology company offering earthing and electrical fire protection technology, Sonjib Banerjee.

The experts from Duval Messien offer quick suggestions to protect homes this summer, a time when the likelihood for electrical fires is thought to escalate.

Common signs of poorly maintained electrical circuit are MCB trips, burnt plugs or sockets and electrical stings from appliances, according to Banerjee.

What helps make a home safe from electrical fires?

Certified MCB: certified MCB devices are labeled as such, and must be tested at least once every six months by a certified electrician.

Earthing Pits: Earthing pit is filled with various liquids to keep the soil ionized and offer the home adequate earthing protection. If these pits are salt-water based, then homes, apartments and office buildings must check once every three months, and if gel-based, based on the type and quality used, either once every one year, or once every 10 years.

Appropriate rating sockets: Some appliances in the home use distinctively higher current e.g. washing machines, fridges and electric hotplates. Ensure that they are plugged to sockets of suitable rating points in the kitchen.

Use three-pin plugs: The third prong of a plug is for earthing. It is safer to use such plugs and get the help of a certified electrician to change wiring it if necessary.

 Seek electrical assistance early: When the first warning signs appear, seek help immediately, using only certified electricians.
Report early warning signs to the Maintenance office: Report all signs in your home or common areas such as corridors, lobbies and car parks to the Building Maintenance office so that the professionals may assist all residents and office users in time.

Ask the Maintenance Office for regular certified reports: If you live in a high rise building, ask for Electrical Maintenance reports on a regular basis. It should include the MCB checks and earth pit resistance test.

“Keeping our neighborhoods safe from electrical fires is a joint effort, and all including apartment dwellers and those in high density older neighbourhoods should be encouraged to be more vigilant,” said Banerjee. – TradeArabia News Service