ICA raises awareness on electrical safety

Hyderabad: With the aim of raising awareness regarding safe electrical practices, safety guidelines and use of appropriate wiring material ICA India hosted a roundtable as part of its ongoing campaign ‘Safe wiring, safer buildings’ here on Thursday. The campaign was launched earlier this year in conjunction with Central Electrical Authority (CEA) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) with the objective of raising awareness and educating appropriate electrical safety policies and ensuring the right material and right size of electrical wiring across India. To minimise the risk towards life and property, ICA India has been dedicatedly raising awareness on electrical safety and the need for implementation of safety policies in homes and workplaces.

As indicated by the data from Central Electricity Authority, overall 13 people died due to frequent electrical mishaps in India (2016 – 2017). Over 13% of all fire-related mishaps were caused by electrical short-circuits. The major incidences of fire occur in residential and commercial establishments and needlessly cost lives and property damage. The frequency and intensity of the incidences have created a need to educate people on the subject and build an electrical safe society.
The ‘Safe wiring, Safer building’ campaign focuses on educating the users on new safety measures, relevant Indian standards, information on international best practices and availability of new technologies to reduce risks.

Amol Kalsekar, the Chief Manager-Building Wire of ICA India, said, “Electricity is a major contributing factor towards growth and development but it can also cause harm to life. In the time when the number of electrical fires, injuries, and deaths that occur is increasing manifolds awareness of electrical hazards become even more essential to bring the number down. We at ICA India promote the use of right quality and size of wiring for safer homes and workplaces through consumer and industry awareness of the issues and risks. We believe that understanding key electrical safety principles and adhering to safe practices, many electrocutions and home fires can be prevented.”

The roundtable discussion was around key issues related to electrical safety in the Country. Ramana Prasad, Chief Electrical Inspector, Government of Telangana; Linga Reddy, Chief Engineer, R&B, Telangana; and C Shekar Reddy, Past National President at CREDAI, CMD -CSR Estates Ltd., and Chairman of CII-Indian Green Building Council, Hyderabad took part in the discussions.

ICA India in association with Bureau of Indian Standards, Bureau of Energy Efficiency & Central Electricity Authority creates a common platform for 500+ Electrical Consultants, Architects, Builders & Developers through national campaign to discuss Standards, Codes & Regulations ICA India has empowered over 15000 electricians and electrical contractors through skill enhancement program on safe electrical installation practices. Enabling greater adherence to national standards, codes & regulations ICA India works with the State Chief Electrical Inspectorate for activities such as “Electrical safety week”, developing and distributing Electrical safety booklets to school students, housing societies and various government and private offices.