Analysis of Electrical Fire Investigations in Ten Cities. Final Report.
Analysis of Electrical Fire Investigations in Ten
Cities. Final Report.
(4102 K)
Hall, J. R., Jr.; Bukowski, R. W.; Gomberg, A.
NBSIR 83-2803; 65 p. December 1983.
Sponsor:
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB84-159789
Keywords:
accident investigations; electrical fires; fire
investigations; overcurrent; wires
Abstract:
This report describes the results of an analysis of
electrical fire cases by the Center for Fire Research,
National Bureau of Standards for the Consumer Product
Safety Commission. The report describes the 105
detailed electrical fire investigation reports from 10
participating cities and discusses findings resulting
from analysis of the data from those reports. These
findings include the effects of tampering, alterations
and other system problems, factors that may cause
overcurrent devices to fail to operate, the role of
extension cords misused as permanent extensions of
building wiring, the problems of loose connections
between receptacles and wiring, and other scenarios and
sequences of events that lead to electrical fire
ignition.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899