Protection against electrical fire risks

In Europe 2.000.000 fires are reported each year, which represent more than 4000 deaths, and 70000 people hospitalized due to severe injuries. On average, 90% of fires in EU happen in buildings (www.firesafeeurope.eu). Electricity is a very regularly identified cause of domestic fires. In homes, 280000 electrical fires occur each year (www.promotelec.com).

Depending on the country and the investigation methods, but also depending on the means of identification, the proportions of electrical fires are:

• 13 % in the United States (www.nfpa.org);
• 25 % in France (www.promotelec.com)
• 33 % in Germany (www.ifs-kiel.de);
• 40 % in Norway (www.sintef.no).

Electrical fires in low voltage installation may be caused by

• Overcurrents (overloads and short circuits): see Chapter Sizing and protection of conductors
• earth faults: see Protection against fire due to earth faults ,
• electric arcs in cables and connections: see Protection against arc faults in cables and connections (AFDD).
• or overvoltages (lightning … ) see Chapter Overvoltage protection,

Note: Electric arcs in assembly are addressed in chapter LV Distribution

Related technical guides

Electrical Fire Prevention

Do you know how to mitigate the risk of fire in commercial and industrial buildings?
This guide considers the risk of fire caused by electrical currents that fall below overcurrent protection thresholds. It focuses on the latest solutions to help mitigate such hazards in both new and existing installations in commercial buildings.

Download the guide (.pdf)