NEW DELHI: In recent years, several catastrophic fires have brought attention to a pressing issue: electrical safety. The gravity of fire-related incidents in India is shown by recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Over the last two years, 3,375 registered fire incidents were documented – with electrical circuits being identified as the main cause.
It is alarming to see electrical faults among the leading causes of fires in buildings. Approximately 60% fires originate from electric causes, such as overloading, overheating, short circuits, due to use of non-standard appliances, under sizing of cables, non-compliance of existing electrical standards & codes, lack of maintenance and periodic inspection. High risk buildings such as hospitals, airports, schools and government offices are particularly vulnerable – especially since electrical fires can spread quickly and cause significant damage to life and property.
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) strives to address the growing concern about the recent building fires that have resulted in significant loss of life and property. With the revised general requirements for Electrical Works Part-I Internal, CPWD has chosen to lead by example in fire safety. The new set of regulations are meant to guarantee safe, reliable and sustainable electrical infrastructure in government buildings including hospitals, schools, and offices.
One of the key components of the CPWD’s new regulations requires the use of copper cables in all government buildings, demonstrating the agency’s successful recognition of the significance of utilizing the appropriate material to prioritize electrical safety. Copper’s outstanding conductivity and other properties such as high heat resistance, longevity and higher tensile strength lowers the risk of electrical fires caused by faulty connections or short circuits.
The updated CPWD guidelines will thus dramatically improve electrical safety in government buildings and set a precedent for broader construction methods. By enforcing stricter safety protocols, these guidelines aim to reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by electrical faults. This not only provides enhanced protection for human lives but also safeguards valuable property in high-risk buildings by minimizing fire hazards and improving electrical reliability. Furthermore, the guidelines establish a standard for electrical safety that extends beyond government projects, influencing practices in the private sector.The CPWD electrical specification also encourage other regions to reevaluate their own electrical installation guidelines and adopt equivalent safety parameters to ensure safety and reliability. Notably, states such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, have already begun to take steps to follow CPWD specification, showing a growing recognition for the importance of electrical safety in buildings.
Cost-saving measures that compromise safety standards have often been found in private construction projects. In many cases, buildings have been put at risk due to the failure to follow safety regulations, poorly completed electrical installations, and the use of sub-standard materials. The combination of such factors necessitates immediate and stringent action to prevent fire-related disasters in the future.
Although CPWD’s revised guidelines set a strong example for the public sector, it is equally crucial to hold private construction stakeholders accountable for prioritizing safety. By adopting these standards, private builders can significantly reduce electrical hazards and establish new benchmarks for construction practices. While using inferior materials may seem cost-effective in the short term, the long-term advantages of implementing CPWD’s guidelines are far greater. These include reduced maintenance costs and a significantly lower risk of fire hazards, which more than justify the initial investment in higher-quality materials.
The construction industry must recognize that safety should never be compromised for the sake of reducing costs. Future generations will live and work in a safer and more secure environment if electrical systems’ reliability is prioritized above all. By embracing these updated standards and prioritizing long term safety in both the public and private sphere, India can take a significant step toward safeguarding its infrastructure and preventing future electrical fire-related tragedies.
Source Homevior.in
