33 Percent of Fires Linked to Electricity
from The Lindsay Post
Some 33 percent of residential fires reported by the office of the Ontario Fire Marshal are associated with electrical distribution equipment, according to Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority. This includes: electrical circuit wiring, damaged or improperly rated extension cords or cable, panel and circuit boards, receptacles and switches and are prevalent in both copper and aluminum wiring systems. Investigations of these fires have identified that 34 percent are related to incorrect or improper installation and procedure. More

Electrical Systems -- Are You Protected?
from IAEI Magazine
There’s a lot of talk about protection going on currently. Personal protection, internet protection, home protection, neighborhood protection… the list goes on and on. Because results of a recent IAEI members survey show interest in more basic code training, this article will focus on a basic but essential requirement for most any electrical system. From low voltage to high voltage — for cables, raceways, and equipment — protection from physical damage is an absolute essential. More

Compliance Requires Proper Placement
from Electrical Contractor
Thorough preparation leads to successful installation. This trade depends on National Electrical Code compliance, especially where it involves device placement and connectivity. Knowing how to install initiation and notification appliance devices is integral to the fire safety mission. More

Texas Residents Realize Researching Prior to Building is a Smart Move
from the Guidry News
Before starting construction of their waterfront home in San Leon, Texas, George and Diana Click spent time researching safe building practices. They obtained information on choosing a builder, current building codes, coastal construction mitigation techniques and adequate insurance coverage. “I didn’t do anything extra,” Click said. “It’s about following the codes. It’s about knowing what to do.” Galveston County adopted and enforces the International Residential Code (IRC) and the National Electrical Code for all residential construction in its jurisdiction. The Clicks discovered that this is an important form of hazard mitigation. More

Bad Grounding Blamed for Illinois Boy’s Electrocution
from the Journal Star
Insufficient ground wiring to a light pole at a Bartonville, Ill., ball field is being blamed for the electrocution of an 8-year-old boy over the summer. Camden Belfield of Waverly, Ill., was playing tag with other children about 9 p.m. July 20 during a softball tournament at Oak Grove West School when he touched the wooden light pole with conduit on it. The soon-to-be third-grader collapsed and died the next day. More

Ohio Board of Building Standards Votes for Better Child Electrical Safety
from the Port Clinton News Herald
The Ohio Board of Building Standards voted to reinstate the 2008 National Electrical Code for one, two and three-family dwellings, making it the electrical installation standard for the state of Ohio. The Board voted unanimously to approve the Code without amendments at its Dec. 12 meeting. More

Maryland City Clears Path for Wind Energy Systems
from Southern Maryland Headline News
The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County, Md., last week approved a text amendment that permits small wind energy systems to be constructed and utilized in all zoning districts. Systems may generate no more than 100 kilowatts and the electricity must only be consumed on-site. More