Electrical fires are among the most common, but preventable causes of house fires in the UK. Data from the UK Fire and Rescue Service tells us that electrical faults account for around 20,000 fires each year.
The good news is that most can be avoided with a combination of awareness, maintenance and help from a professional London electrician.
In this blog, we explore how you can stop an electrical fire from happening and what to do should one occur.
What causes an electrical fire?
Electrical fires, also known incorrectly as Class E fires, can start for several reasons, and thanks to how our homes and workplaces are set up and constructed, they can spread rapidly.
Faulty wiring
One of the largest contributors to electrical fires is faulty wiring. This could stem from damaged wiring on an appliance to outdated wiring running through your property. In an old house still equipped with its original wiring, house rewiring is highly recommended to reduce the risk of electrical fire.
Damaged insulation, loose connections and outdated materials can all be reasons an electrical fire starts. If your home has not been rewired in the last thirty years, a full house rewiring is recommended. As a minimum, an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) should be conducted to assess your current wiring.
Overloaded circuits
Extension leads are often seen as a convenience. However, plugging in too many appliances or connecting one extension lead to another can cause the circuit to overload. This generates too much heat in the wiring that may ignite. Extension leads are only designed for temporary use and should never be used permanently for high-power appliances such as tumble dryers, washing machines or dishwashers.
Defective fixtures
Throughout your home, there will be an assortment of light fittings. These could be wall or ceiling-mounted, within the flooring or simple standalone lamps. Each has a recommended wattage, and using bulbs that exceed this could lead to an electrical fire beginning. Using LEDs as an alternative can be a great way to reduce the heat generated.
Poorly installed appliances
Electrical appliance installation is often best left to the professionals. While many items can be plugged in as and when needed, others may require hardwiring. Attempting this without knowledge of how to do so could see you compromise how the appliance functions and whether it remains safe.
Even professionally installed appliances can cause electrical fires. If they aren’t regularly cleaned or maintained to a certain standard, or develop faults that are not rectified quickly, it can be easy for a fire to start. Kitchen appliances, air conditioning units and heating systems are just some worth paying extra attention to.
Damaged or faulty outlets
Loose wires or damaged components may not be noticeable at first, but behind the socket or switch, there could be a fault that causes a fire. If you hear buzzing, smell burning or witness sparking, avoid using the switch or outlet and call an electrician.
How can I prevent an electrical fire?
There are many ways to prevent electrical fires at home or in the workplace. Some are simple, others may require you to call out an emergency electrician. We’ve compiled a list of the best ways to reduce the chances of an electrical fire starting in your home.
- Turn off or unplug unused items: Reduce the strain on your electrics by turning off or unplugging the items you aren’t using. With no power flowing through them, the chance of fire is reduced.
- Install smoke alarms: London-fire.gov.uk recommends fitting a smoke alarm in every room where a fire could start, including your hallways and landings, but not kitchens (use heat alarms instead). The alarms should be tested monthly, with batteries replaced annually. The whole unit should be replaced every ten years. Interlinked alarms that trigger all units once one is activated provide the fastest possible warning to all occupants.
- Fit an RCD: An RCD, or Residual Current Device, monitors the flow of electricity within a circuit. If it detects a fault, such as a damaged wire, it can cut the power in as little as 30 milliseconds. This will help prevent electrocution and significantly reduce the chances of an electrical fire. Modern consumer units are required by law to include RCD protection under BS 7671 UK wiring regulations. If your consumer unit is old and does not have RCD protection, this should be addressed immediately.
- Don’t rely on extension cords or overloading sockets: Extension cords are really only suitable for temporary use and should never be used for high-power items long-term or plugged into one another. Before use, add up the wattage of each item that will be plugged in. If it exceeds 3,000W, do not plug the items into the extension lead or wall socket. Spread them out across circuits instead.
- Regularly inspect items: Look for signs of frayed or cracked wires, or scorched, damaged plugs. If you see either of these issues. Stop using these items immediately. Do NOT tape the items up, as you could be increasing the fire risk.
- Only use light bulbs within the wattage limitations: Exceeding the limit for the fixture or lamp could be dangerous. If you are unsure, use an LED or a bulb of 40W or less.
- Book an electrician for an EICR & rewiring: If your home is more than 30 years old and has not been rewired, the wiring should be assessed by a qualified electrician. Under current UK guidelines, owner-occupied property should have an EICR inspection every 10 years, and rental properties every 5 years or when a new tenancy begins. For landlords, this is a legal requirement, so it should not be ignored.
- Report signs of electrical failure to an electrician: This could include flickering lights, buzzing from the fuse board, plug sockets or walls, discolouration on plugs and sockets, or frequent blown fuses. Contact a trusted electrician, ideally registered with NICEIC or NAPIT.
Which fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires?
For electrical fires, use a CO2 extinguisher. CO2 is a non-conductive gas, which means it suppresses the fire without putting you at risk of electrocution. It leaves no residue and is safe to use around electrical equipment. A CO2 extinguisher is identified by its black label.
Do not use foam, water, or wet chemical extinguishers. All of these extinguishers could put you at significant risk. You might not only spread the fire further, but you will also increase your risk of electrocution.
How to put out an electrical fire
If the fire is something you could safely tackle. A few simple steps can help you eradicate or reduce the fire and protect the occupants of the building:
- Inform all occupants of the fire and have them evacuate. If you are in a residential property, give everybody a designated place to congregate. If in a commercial property, everyone should be directed to your fire assembly point.
- Shut off the power at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so. To prevent the spread of fire, shut off the electricity supply. This can reduce the risk of the fire spreading and electrocution.
- Aim the CO2 extinguisher at the base of the fire, not the flames. Standing 1-3 metres away. With a sweeping motion, squeeze the handle to discharge the CO2. Do NOT hold the horn of the extinguisher at any point, as this may cause severe freeze burns.
- Call 999 if the fire does not reduce within seconds: Ensure you evacuate immediately and call the fire brigade. Do not attempt to re-enter the building.
If there is any doubt about safety, or if you do not feel comfortable fighting the fire, do not put yourself or others at risk. Evacuate and call the fire brigade instead.
Preventing an electrical fire is mainly about proactive maintenance and awareness. By following the measures listed in this guide, you can help reduce the chances of electrical fire in your home.
If you are concerned about the safety of your home’s electrical installation, our qualified electricians can complete full house rewiring, conduct EICRs and PAT testing, upgrade fuse boards and conduct all aspects of emergency electrical work across London. Contact us today to book a fault finding electrician in London or learn more about our services.
