ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT & ELECTRICAL SAFETY – Part 2
Webinar – 2
Electrical fires in buildings:
Recommended mitigations techniques and building classifications
Report with video links
The IEC 60364-4-42 in conjunction with national statutory requirements are followed globally to ensure protection of persons and property against thermal effects such as fire from short circuit.
Enhanced electrical safety measures are necessary depending upon the classification of building based on occupancy and conditions of evacuation in case of fire.
In India the IS732 includes the requirement of electrical installation in order to protect from thermal effects of using electricity.
The National Building Code of India Part 4 table 7 explains the minimum requirement of fire fighting Installations in different kind of buildings based on the building type and occupancy. How ever the electrical engineering standards the classifications is made in a different way.
The webinar explains the coordination of classification of buildings based on NBC-2016 with respect to electrical safety requirements for general areas, escape routes and corridors and for safety service.
Classification of building based on condition of evacuation and frequency of periodic verification in reference to NBC – 2016 is as below (ref: BIS ETD 20 ( 17173)
GUIDE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION STANDARDS IN BUILDING
BD1: Low density / easy exit – Low density occupation, easy conditions of evacuation. (Buildings of normal or low height used for habitation).
BD2: Low density / Difficult exit – Low density occupation, difficult condition of evacuation (High-rise buildings).
BD3: High density / easy exit – High density occupation, easy conditions of evacuation (Location open to public e.g. theatres).
BD4: High density / difficult exit – High density occupation, difficult condition of evacuation (High-rise building open to public).
BA3: Handicapped Persons not in command of all their physical and intellectual abilities (sick persons, old persons), Hospitals, According to the nature of the handicap.
BE1 No significant risks (Normal).
BE2 Fire risks Manufacture, processing or storage of flammable materials including presence of dust, Barns, wood-working shops, paper factories, Equipment made of material retarding the spread of flame. Arrangements such that a significant temperature rise or a spark within electrical equipment cannot initiate an external fire.
BE3 Explosion risks Processing or storage of explosive or low-flash-point materials including presence of explosive dusts, Oil refineries, hydrocarbon stores, Requirements for electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres.
BE4 Contamination risks: Presence of unprotected foodstuffs, pharmaceutics, and similar, products without protection Foodstuff industries, kitchens: Certain precautions may be necessary, in the event of fault, to prevent processed materials being contaminated by electrical equipment, for example, by broken lamps. Appropriate arrangements, such as: protection against falling debris from broken lamps and other fragile objects; screens against harmful radiation such as infra-red or ultra-violet.
Video part 1: Introduction and key note address by Shri R C Sharma, Former Director, Delhi Fire Service.
Video part 2: Main technical presentation by S. Gopa Kumar, Cape Electric
Video part 3: Q&A
The webinar was attended by more than 300 engineers with more than 100 questions during Q&A. This webinar became another success and appreciated by senior officers and engineers.
