Todays article is brought to us from Kathleen Almand of the National Fire Protection Association, it outlines the fundamental dangers and concerns with home electrical safety. To read the full article, which has a great video with it, please go to www.agedwiring.com
A recent study conducted by the Fire Protection Research Foundation is the first of its kind to assess the electrical risks and hazards present in older homes. The findings reveal that potentially hazardous electrical conditions can exist, and often remain hidden, in older homes.
Previous studies have shown that the frequency of fires originating in residential electrical systems has been disproportionately high in homes more than 40 years old. Based on this information, the Foundation conducted a study that closely examined electrical systems and devices from 30 homes in 10 states across the United States. The majority of these homes ranged in age from 25 years to more than 90 years. Two of the homes were more than 100 years old.
“Electricity is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States.” said Jack Wells, Chair of the Foundation’s Technical Advisory Committee. “Many older homes can have serious hazards that need to be inspected and fixed by electrical experts. Our study was designed to help identify those problems so that we can educate the public on how to address the issues, thus protecting their homes and families.”
Photo by Schick
The results of this study show that the vast majority of potentially hazardous electrical conditions in these older homes were caused by the failure to meet well recognized, proven safety code provisions found in the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) and the failure to properly install and maintain important electrical equipment. In many of the homes, the problems were directly related to the poor quality of electrical system “retrofits” or changes made in electrical systems after the homes were originally constructed.
Electrical fires that start behind the walls of homes can be among the most serious and deadly. People who live in the homes, as well as smoke alarms, may not detect an electrical fire until the home is fully engulfed, giving residents less time and fewer options for escape.
You can take simple steps to protect your home and your family from electrical hazards. For example, you should have your home inspected by a qualified electrician who is looking specifically at the electrical system. Also, a thorough review of the electrical system, such as that described in the NFPA 73, Electrical Inspection Code for Existing Dwellings, is particularly important when purchasing an older home. Finally, always use a professional electrician when you have electrical work completed.
If you would like more information on electrical home safety and fire protection, please go to www.nfpa.org
