Photo: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: A total of 3,172 cases of fires in residential premises between January and September this year was attributed to electrical sources.
The causes include faulty wiring, electrical equipment failure and user error, according to the Fire and Rescue Department.
“Using too many electrical appliances at one time or having too many plugs in each socket can cause overload and increase the risk of fires.
“There have also been cases of people forgetting to turn off some of their electrical appliances, causing them to overheat,” department federal fire investigation division director Azlimin Mat Noor (pic) told The Star.
Selangor recorded the highest number of building fires due to electrical sources, he added.
Based on the department’s findings, fire-causing factors include using loose terminal screws on sockets, wiring cables that are not installed according to standards and worn-out wires. Also cited were electrical equipment failure, excessive electric usage and errors on the part of users.
According to Azlimin, electrical appliances that do not have the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia or Sirim certification stamp are also at risk of electrical fires.
More than 9,000 cases of building fires were recorded between January and September this year, with a whopping 6,202, or 68%, of cases being caused by electrical sources.
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Residential premises recorded the highest number of incidents at 5,047, with 63% or 3,172 cases of fire caused by electrical sources, according to the department.
For new buildings or premises, Azlimin said electrical wiring should only be installed by electricians approved by the Energy Commission.
The electricians, he said, had undergone assessments and understood the wiring standards and procedures set by the commission.
“Premises aged 20 years and above should also have their wiring checked alongside maintenance works.
“Old wires, which often have worn-out insulators, can affect current flow and be exposed to other flammable materials.
“Also, perform checks on loose wire connections. They must be tightened so there is no increasing resistance, which can cause high temperatures and result in fires,” he added.
Azlimin also stressed that earth-leakage circuit breakers located inside the main switch boards of residential units should be inspected periodically.
“Do not modify any disconnected fuses by adding more wires to bypass them. Avoid performing extra wiring work through circuit tapping from existing circuits. If needed, additional wiring must have the source beginning from the main switch board according to the suitable fuse rates.
“Wiring works must adhere to standards set by the Energy Commission,” he said.
It is also important to identify potential electrical issues before a fire occurs.
“Look out for repeated occurrences of fuse tripping or electrical supplies being cut. They occur as the electrical appliances threshold usage has exceeded the limit of the fuse. If you feel a jolt when touching an electrical appliance, there may be current leakage.
“Make sure that electrical items like switches, wires, fuses and connectors have Sirim certification,” he said.
In the event of a fire, the public should not panic but look for a safe place to escape.
“Call 999 and get help immediately. Make sure you know the right exit points and only use the stairs in the event of a fire,” he added.
