WCA September 2013

India India

bigstockphoto.com – photographers – Angelika Smile and Pokaz

Over-burdened wires blamed for rise in fires

Nothia, and several recent fires in shopping malls. Shopkeepers were eager to pass on the blame to building planners. “The internal wiring does not meet any acceptable standards even in larger shopping plazas,” complained a shop owner in Jhanda Bazaar, where several shops were gutted, adding: “When nothing is done to upgrade the system, there can only be more problems.” As temperatures soar, almost every house in the city has air conditioners or air coolers. This is in addition to the usual electric load of a household – irons, microwave ovens, dishwashers, freezers, computers and electronic gadgets – but while the internal wiring remains the same, the system is stretched beyond its limit.

Increasing loads on inadequate electrical wiring have caused a rise in fire emergencies across the city of Peshawar, gutting homes. Fire caused by short circuits is among the most common electrical mishaps in the city. “Our reports prove the clear and exact cause of fire in shops and houses was short circuits,” Rescue 1122 public relation officer Bilal Faizi told The Express Tribune . A short circuit usually occurs when a wire’s insulation wears off and the charge flows along a path it was not intended for, causing an excessive electric current. Between January and mid-June, 82 major fire-related emergencies have been due to short circuits, the largest being fires in Jhanda Bazar, Kala Mandi, Ali Public School,

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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2013