Can Exposed Wires Cause a Fire?

When you’re running a busy office or manufacturing factory, one of the hazards you have to be aware of is the potential of fire caused by faulty electrical wiring. Exposed electrical cables are hazardous because they can start a serious fire in your premises, as well as fatal electric shocks. For this reason, it’s important to make sure no electrical cables in your business facility are left exposed.

How Do Exposed Electrical Wires Cause a Fire?

One of the main electrical wiring safety basics is ensuring that all cables are properly coated. Any cable with broken coating should be replaced immediately to prevent costly disasters like fires and electric shocks.

Your electrician should follow the applicable electrical wiring color code standards to ensure that the cables are properly connected so that power can flow smoothly. Faulty electrical wiring can cause shorts and generate sparks that will ignite a fire.

Recently, the United States Fire Administration reported that at least 6.3% of residential fires are caused by faulty electrical wiring. The organization also estimates that 33,470 electrical fires occur in commercial premises across the country each year.

One of the main causes of these fires is exposed electrical cables. Exposed electrical cables can be due to the carelessness of your electrician who installed them or frayed insulation around the cables.

Insulation around your electrical wires will only remain intact for a few years. After long-term exposure, insulation starts to deteriorate and fall apart. This will leave the wires exposed, posing a serious risk of electrical fire.

Possible Outdoor Wiring Issues

Exposed wiring is very common in commercial farms that use industrial irrigation systems. As an electrician lays down the cables across a farm to power and control the sprinkler system, some cables can get damaged or be left exposed to the elements.

If the exposed wires come into contact with each other, they will spark. This, in turn, could ignite a fire. The exposed cables can also come into contact with water, posing a serious risk of electric shock to any person or animal who unknowingly touches the water that has been electrified by the exposed cables.

This is why you have to choose a qualified and experienced electrician to install your irrigation system. They should be able to wire the system without leaving any cables exposed. Your electrician should also be aware of the current sprinkler system wire color code to keep your irrigation system and workers safe.

Keep Workers and Others Safe at All Times

Exposed electrical cables can occur during the installation of wiring or when installing movable appliances or office equipment. When you’re renovating or building a new facility, make sure the electrical cables run inside plastic pipes or any other reliable type of insulation.

These pipes should be installed inside the walls so they can’t be tampered with. When your electrician is installing wall outlets, switches, and other electrical fixtures, they should never leave wires hanging out of the walls or fixtures.

They should also advise you on the best type of cable insulation so that your wiring can remain protected for many years. Aside from protecting live wires and keeping wires from touching each other, the insulation around cords and wires prevents them from overheating.

If your appliances have cords with exposed wires, they should be replaced or insulated immediately to avert disasters associated with exposed wires. Appliances with long cords should be installed when you’re mounting electrical conduits so that their cords can be inserted into the conduits.

When it comes down to it, these tips will keep your property clean and free of tangled cords that pose serious fire hazards. You should also print electrical fire hazard warnings and display them across the premises to promote awareness about potential dangers. Talk to Creative Safety Supply about effective fire safety warning labels and signs that will work best for your circumstances!