Decades after National Electrical Code requires AFCI protection in
new home construction, electrical house fires have decreased
ROSSLYN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Over the past 20 years, home electrical systems have become increasingly
advanced, incorporating smart technologies that provide consumers with a
better quality of life. During May’s National Electrical Safety Month,
the Low Voltage Distribution Equipment Section of the National
Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) also wants to remind
consumers about an important safety device that has been helping prevent
electrical fires since 1999.
Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (AFCIs) protection can detect and stop
dangerous arcing in wiring before a fire can start.
“Typical household fuses and standard circuit breakers were not designed
to respond to early arcing and sparking conditions in home wiring, which
means that by the time a fuse or standard circuit breaker would try to
defuse these conditions, a fire may have already begun,” said Philip
Squair – VP Government Relations, National Electrical Manufacturers
Association. “AFCIs are intelligent products that can quickly detect an
arc fault in wiring and automatically disconnect the electricity when
they sense a hazard.”
A recent FEMA/U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) report
(Topical Fire Report/Dec. 2018) estimated 24,000 U.S. residential
electrical fires occurred from 2014-2016. Those numbers were down
significantly since AFCIs were introduced in 1999, and also following
the introduction of additional fire prevention technologies, improved
building materials, and fire service advancements. Additionally, another
FEMA/USFA study
(Residential Building Fire Trends/May 2018) showed U.S.
electrical house fires dropped by 22 percent over 10 years, with a 32
percent decrease in electrical fire injuries and a 39 percent decrease
in property dollar loss.
“This downward trend in electrical house fires is an example of when
safety is a priority in new construction and lifesaving fire prevention
technologies like AFCIs are included, fewer injuries and deaths occur,”
said Amy Acton, executive director of the Phoenix Society for Burn
Survivors. “We applaud all these efforts, and as burn survivors who
strongly support fire safety, we know each state must also be vigilant
in insisting their electrical and building code requirements protect
residents at the highest levels.”
Many states follow National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, but some
have amended local codes to remove safety regulations. Consumers can
learn more about NEC adoption and their state’s status at www.nfpa.org/NEC.
AFCIs are a simple, cost-effective way to prevent arcing that might lead
to electrical fires and are compatible with home appliances. To learn
more about AFCIs, visit https://www.afcisafety.org.
Homeowners interested in adding protection to new or existing homes
should contact a local qualified electrician for more information.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents
nearly 350 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that
make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Our combined
industries account for 360,000 American jobs in more than 7,000
facilities covering every state. Our industry produces $106 billion
shipments of electrical equipment and medical imaging technologies per
year with $36 billion in exports.
Contacts
Press contact:
Tracy Cullen
703-841-3282
[email protected]
