RR Kabel discusses electrical safety with industry leaders

RR Kabel and industry professionals discuss the significance of electrical fire safety and high-quality wires at ELECRAMA 2023.
Electrical short circuits, which frequently happen as a result of substandard wires and cables, are the main cause of fire incidents in India. Data from ASCI show that, over the past ten years, electrocution—which includes electrical fires and lightning—has accounted for around 73 percent and 16 percent, respectively, of all human fatalities. A little-known fact is that smoke inhalation kills more people during a fire outbreak than the fire itself.
Industry leaders consider it essential to inform the public and government about the significance of electrical fire safety in both new and existing structures. Companies need to find out right away if they are fire-safe. Systematic changes in the way spaces are built to produce a fire-safe environment must be implemented at the top management level. Regular fire audits and drills are essential for residential communities, especially high-rise buildings, which have a higher fire risk.
In light of this, the leaders stressed the necessity of drafting legislation to implement strict penalties against developers who use fake wires and cables or wires of inferior quality. India is experiencing a rising problem with counterfeit goods, which results in significant losses for the nation. Above all, because they are composed of subpar materials, counterfeit wires are a serious problem that puts customer lives in danger. Manufacturers of wire and cable have the potential to significantly improve national safety.
For instance, LS0H (Low Smoke, Zero Halogen) wires were initially made available in India by RR Kabel, as they claim to not release a hazardous mixture of gas, acid, and smoke in the event of an accident. Also, it is the only business in India with a 450001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, guaranteeing a safe and healthy working environment for all of its employees.
Addressing the issues, Shreegopal Kabra, Managing Director, RR Kabel, said, “The majority of the nation’s infrastructure is susceptible to many electrical fire threats, frequently because the proper protocols and understanding of building construction are lacking. The risks from these fires have a substantial impact on life and the loss of property, priceless papers, jewelry, etc. Consumers are privy to one harsh reality: smoke caused by electrical mishaps and fire accidents is much more dangerous than the actual fires themselves, and the results are mostly fatal.”
The use of premium-quality, electrical fire-safe cables is crucial, and RR Kabel has been at the forefront of raising awareness of these issues throughout the nation. They want individuals to be aware of electrical fire safety, make a commitment to creating a safe nation, and lessen the number of fatalities brought on by poor quality.
Gopa Kumar, MD, Cape Electric, and Member, NFE, said,  “There is a need for strict rules and regulations to come into play for citizens to be more informed on the importance of quality wires and cables within their surroundings and homes. Building a robust electrical fire-safe ecosystem is the need of the hour, and this will only happen with education about its importance. Through this initiative, we will drive this change among consumers and all our stakeholders to join the movement to boycott counterfeit products, especially wires, and cables. We urge people to ensure consumers’ safety at our core. With united efforts, we can aim to build a fire-safe nation.”
Vipul Ray, MD, Elmex Group, and immediate past president of IEEMA, said, “We are pleased to join this movement that aims to sound the alarm on this situation and address it as a global affair that needs its priority. Quality determines our country’s growth roadmap, and ending counterfeiting is the first step to a rapidly progressing economy. Electrical fire safety plays a critical role in any structure, be it an education facility, hospital, or public space. A recent report by NCRB states that on average, 35 people were killed due to fire mishaps in the last five years.”
When the quality of a product is compromised, incidents occur. It is past time for lawmakers to enact stricter rules with greater enforcement that encourage preemptive action to address the issue. IEEMA works to increase public awareness of the need for electrical fire safety.