Fire hazards-Present codes and standards

The question of how to develop active and passive fire protection, minimizing hazards in the electrical use-environment, in the development, design, manufacturing, and application of the electrical system examined. The final result of present test and standard development will be more realistic and comprehensive fire hazard analysis of materials and systems, taking into account all the hazard elements of ignition, fire spread, and fire products in electrical installations. However, although present codes and standards provide guidelines on using fire tests, they do not address all the safety concerns for a modern plant or building. These codes and standards consist of the national Electrical Code, regulations (laws), insurance standards, product listings, product specifications, and standards and tests. The concept of fire hazards of systems, which is now replacing the narrower concept of flammability of materials is discussed, and a proper hazard assessment procedure is described. The following aspects of fire hazard are examined: ease of ignition, fire growth, and flame spread; heat release; smoke and fire gases; and oxygen depletion.<>