India should adopt the global standards for fire safety : NFPA

In order to establish India as a global manufacturing powerhouse, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has urged the government to improve the quality of electrical products to meet international standards.Faulty or broken electrical equipment is to blame for about 70 per cent of industrial accidents and large fires, but this is often overlooked. It stated that even though India has its own Bureau of India Standards, it does not set the agenda for end user safety.

According to the Association, the BIS mandates only PVC-insulated wires, which can only withstand temperatures of 70 degrees Celsius, for regular wires that are used in nearly every household.This gives a small window of safety in the event of a fire in a tropical nation like India, where the temperature can reach 50 degrees in some states. According to the report, this PVC insulation also emits toxic smoke that impairs the health of those who inhale it and reduces visibility to zero.

According to the association, India does not need to re-invent the wheel. Instead, it can adopt the established standards in Europe and the United States and ensure strict compliance. A study conducted by the association found that electrical fires are responsible for over 50 deaths per day in India. A representative of the association stated, "Quality electrical products not only reduce imports but also ensure higher efficiency, leading to lower costs that will ensure our export competitiveness and better revenues."

According to Ajit Kulkarni, Managing Director, Ajit Kulkarni Consultants, lack of inspection, and a failure to adhere to safety regulations are the primary causes of nearly all fires, when they are not man made.