Many of the electrical problems that develop in commercial buildings could be avoided if building owners took some basic safety measures to protect the electrical wiring from the common causes of electrical problems. This article discusses some key measures that can keep electrical accidents at bay in your commercial building.
Keep Temperatures Low
When temperature regulation is mentioned, many people immediately think about the temperature in occupied rooms of a commercial building. However, the temperature in unoccupied sections, such as the attic, can play a big role in preventing electrical accidents. When attic temperatures are high, the insulation on electrical wires quickly deteriorates. This deterioration can be further quickened by the high amounts of current that wires in commercial buildings carry. The wires heat up and this heat combines with the ambient attic temperature to wreak havoc on the insulation of wires. It is therefore advisable to take steps, such as installing extra attic vents, to keep attic temperatures low. This will go a long way towards preventing electrical fires that result from deteriorated insulation of wires. You can also use bigger wires so that there is minimal resistance when current is flowing through those wires. Less resistance will translate into lower temperatures within the wires.
Inspect Extension Cords
It is very hard to avoid using extension cords in a commercial building because several activities, such as power washing hallways, require a temporary source of power. It is therefore a good idea to conduct periodic audits (twice a year, for example) of the power rating of all extension cords so that you can confirm that all appliances getting power from those cords do not exceed the capacity of the extension cord. Overloaded extension cords can easily melt and start a fire. You should also check extension cords for signs of damage, such as fraying. Replace all extension cords that are worn or damaged before they cause an electrical accident.
Install Lightning Conductors
Lightning strikes during a storm can trigger an electrical fire in your commercial building. It is advisable for you to install a lightning conductor so that any lightning strike on your building does not damage electrical appliances or start a fire. The current from the lightning strike will be channeled into the ground so that it does not interfere with the electricity in your building.
The measures above may not be sufficient to prevent all electrical accidents. You should therefore hire a commercial electrical contractor, such as those at Aardvark Electrics, to carry out a detailed electrical audit of your building so that any loopholes discovered can be fixed before an accident occurs.
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