As a homeowner, you probably understand the importance of being prepared for any unlikely but possible emergency situation. One crisis that many homeowners overlook is the possibility of an electrical fire in their home. To protect your property, there are practical steps you can take and devices you can invest in that are designed to help prevent and contain potential electrical fires. By proactively equipping your home with these items, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve taken important steps to safeguard your property and your family from potentially hazardous conditions.
1. Connected switchboards
Connected switchboards are the perfect solution for home and businesses aiming to protect their properties from fire-related destruction. By supplying superior power distribution and control, they can help detect fires early and quickly shut them down, thus reducing the cost of repair that often comes with damaged buildings and equipment. Not only do they prevent catastrophic damage, but they are also much more efficient than traditional manual systems.
2. Heat sensors
Heat sensors are an invaluable tool for preventing fires that could otherwise cause disastrous damage and costly repairs. By activating at predetermined temperatures, the sensors can detect when a fire has started or is likely to start, alerting you at the earliest stages of a potential blaze. With this detection comes the opportunity to take steps before it becomes too late and ensure that irreparable damage does not occur in your home or business. Installing heat sensors can be a cost-effective measure, as demonstrated by their ability to help minimize repair costs related to fire damage.
3. Arc fault detection devices
Arc fault detection devices are an essential tool for preventing fires and the dangerous and costly havoc they can wreak. Acting as electronic “smoke alarms” for electric current, these devices receive signals from your wiring and detect minute electric arcs that indicate potential trouble spots before a fire erupts. By bringing such connections to your attention, arc fault protection devices help you stop fires in their tracks, saving time and money on repairs and renovations.
An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) is used to prevent electrical fires by detecting dangerous arcs and breaking the circuit. Unlike regular receptacles and circuit breakers, an AFCI is able to tell the difference between harmless, naturally-occurring arcs, and undesirable ones that can lead to potentially dangerous conditions. Through this careful monitoring of current flow, an AFCI safeguards homes and businesses from electrical damages caused by unintentional arcs. By installing one in your living space or workspace you can gain peace of mind knowing that your electrical system is protected from hazardous events.
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are an important safety feature for any home, business, or recreational facility as they are designed to reduce the risk of serious injury by instantly shutting off electricity when they sense a current flowing through an unintended path. GFCI devices aid in providing protection against electric shock in areas with elevated potential exposure levels, such as bathrooms and kitchen sinks where electrical equipment is commonly found near water. As GFCIs are relatively easy to install and relatively inexpensive, they offer an important level of protection for all those utilizing a space that may pose a high potential of risk due to exposure to water sources and electrical equipment.
6. Circuit breakers
Experiencing the devastating effects of a fire can be tragic, especially in a situation that could have been avoided. Thanks to the thoughtful design of circuit breakers, it’s possible to save lives and property by working to avoid such circumstances. Circuit breakers protect electrical systems from becoming overloaded until they can safely be shut off or fixed, reducing the likelihood of a dangerous fire occurring due to overheated wires. This not only prevents potential loss of life, but also lessens the financial burden associated with repairing or replacing damaged items, making them an invaluable tool in home or business maintenance.
7. Thermal monitors
Thermal monitoring technology is revolutionizing the way property owners, business owners, and home insurers protect the safety of life and property. By more accurately detecting changes in air temperature and alerting decision makers to any potential fire risks within a building or structure, thermal monitoring can drastically reduce both the number and cost of destruction resulting from fires. Additionally, a proactive approach to thermal monitoring can assure an early warning is sent which could prevent hardships brought by a devastating fire or related event. Thermal monitors should be considered as an essential tool for minimizing risk related to fire in any setting.
Electrical fires can be catastrophic, so it is important for homeowners to take preventative measures to keep their homes safe. A simple way to do this is by investing in electrical devices that reduce the risk of electrical fire outbreaks. Heat sensors, circuit breakers, thermal monitors, and AFC1s are all useful devices that can help guard against electrical fires.
Fire damage restoration services are an effective solution for restoring damaged property, but preventing electrical fires altogether is far more cost-efficient and may ultimately save lives. By using these electrical devices in conjunction with practicing electrical safety habits in the home, such as unplugging electronics when not in use or avoiding overloading electrical sockets, you can minimize the chances of your property being damaged by an electrical fire.
If your home is affected by a fire, contact our professionals at ServiceMaster Fire & Water Cleanup for fire damage restoration at (844) 805-1107.