Can smart tech prevent the next fire emergency

Electrical malfunctions, lack of emergency preparedness and failure to enforce fire safety norms have made urban and rural areas vulnerable to preventable disasters.

A family is asleep in their Mumbai apartment, a group of children is playing in a gaming arcade in Rajkot, and newborns are in a hospital’s intensive care unit in Delhi. What do they all have in common? In the past year alone, all these seemingly safe spaces turned into deadly fire traps claiming lives in a matter of minutes. Across India, fire incidents are not just rising but becoming deadlier. In an era when nearly 20 percent of fires in the country are attributed to electrical circuits and this figure escalates to 70 percent in urban areas and where nearly 13 lives are lost to electrocution every day (as reported by industry sources), ensuring electrical safety is not just an option; it is a necessity. Moreover, electrical hazards are reported to account for approximately 40 percent of workplace fatalities in the country. Electrical malfunctions, lack of emergency preparedness and failure to enforce fire safety norms have made urban and rural areas vulnerable to preventable disasters. As the country expands its infrastructure and industrial base the question remains: Is India truly equipped to prevent its next major fire tragedy?

Alarming State of Fire Safety

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data shows nearly 40 percent of workplace fatalities stem from electrical issues—a preventable cause with proper safety protocols. The situation is particularly dire in metropolitan areas like Mumbai, with approximately 70 percent of fire outbreaks attributed directly to faulty electrical systems in buildings. These numbers reflect technical failures and institutional shortcomings in regulation, enforcement and public awareness. The rapid pace of urbanisation has created densely populated areas where buildings often fail to meet basic safety standards. Informal settlements, ageing infrastructure, substandard wiring and inadequate emergency response capabilities further add to the issue.

Root Cause of the Crisis

The fire safety crisis stems from multiple interconnected factors. Regulatory frameworks suffer from fragmented implementation, with the National Building Code (NBC) often taken lightly and enforcement hampered by understaffed departments and inconsistent penalties. The built environment often features inadequate fire exits, outdated electrical systems, improper storage of flammable materials, and urban congestion that impedes emergency response. Cultural factors further exemplify these issues with minimal safety training and low public awareness about prevention practices and the role of branded wires and cables. Additionally, there is widespread resistance to investing in fire safety measures due to cost considerations despite fatal consequences.

Economic Impact

Beyond the human toll, fire incidents also have a tremendous economic cost. Businesses face property damage, operational disruption, legal liabilities and reputational harm. The productivity losses from disruptive power can cut corporate revenues by 5-10 percent (Data from Chennai Press Release), significantly impacting business operations and growth. Insurance claims from fire-related incidents have risen dramatically, increasing premiums across sectors. Furthermore, the national economy bears the burden of lost productivity and resources diverted to emergency response and reconstruction.

Reimagining Fire Safety

Policy and Regulatory Reform: A reimagined fire safety framework must begin with stricter policy changes that address current fragmentation and enforcement challenges. Creating a unified national fire safety code with mandatory implementation across all states would establish consistent standards and expectations. This should be complemented by an independent regulatory authority with real enforcement powers and adequate resources to conduct inspections and ensure compliance.

Upgrading Electrical Infrastructure: Given that faulty electrical systems contribute to many fires, upgrading old wiring and implementing modern circuit breakers should be prioritised. Smart electrical systems that detect overloads and short circuits are crucial in preventing electrical fires. Physical infrastructure must evolve substantially to support effective fire safety across India. Installing automated fire detection and suppression systems in public spaces should become standard practice. Creating fire-resistant buffer zones in industrial areas would prevent fire from spreading between facilities, while urban planning incorporating emergency response requirements would build safety into the fundamental design of communities rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Technological Innovation: Modern technology offers powerful tools that could revolutionise fire prevention and emergency response capabilities across India. AI-powered early detection systems can identify fire risks by monitoring environmental conditions and equipment performance. At the same time, IoT-enabled sensors can detect anomalies in electrical systems before they can cause fires. Smartphone applications providing real-time evacuation guidance during emergencies can save countless lives, particularly in complex buildings or unfamiliar environments.

Branded and Safe Electrical Products: The widespread adoption of quality-certified, branded electrical wires and products showcases an important but often overlooked component in fire safety. A national initiative promoting BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)- certified electrical products coupled with strict enforcement against counterfeit or uncertified alternatives could dramatically reduce electrical fire incidents. Consumer education regarding the life-safety implications of electrical product choices, alongside incentives for manufacturers producing superior safety-rated components, would help transform the safety landscape.

Community Engagement and Education: Mandatory fire safety education in the school curriculum would ensure that basic prevention and response knowledge becomes universal. In contrast, regular community drills in residential and commercial buildings would build practical evacuation skills. Public awareness campaigns can educate adults about simple prevention measures by leveraging diverse media platforms and incorporating the information into training programmes.

Overall, by addressing the root causes India can significantly reduce preventable fire tragedies. Encouragingly, wire and cable manufacturers, industry stakeholders and state-level initiatives are aligning in this direction, proving that meaningful change is possible when key players collaborate with a shared purpose. What is required now is scaling these efforts nationally and creating a fire safety ecosystem where prevention becomes instinctive, detection immediate and response effective.