Gardiner Road Hospital in-charge Dr AN Singh points at uncovered wires in the health hub on Friday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Dec. 9: Short circuit is the most common reason for fires in the state capital but citizens are unaware of how it occurs or what steps should be taken to prevent it.

The Telegraph spoke to experts to find out the causes of short circuit and the safety precautions that can prevent such a mishap.

S.M. Sahay, a visiting professor at Birla Institute of Technology, Patna, said: “When a positive (live) wire comes in contact with a neutral (earth), it allows heavy current to travel along an unintended path leading to a short circuit. This could lead to a fire.”

The wires that supply electricity to a building comprise three wires — positive, negative and neutral. These remain covered by an insulator.

If the insulation is damaged and the wires, which should remain separate, come in contact, it could lead to a short circuit. The insulation could be damaged for a number of reasons like overloading or ageing of wires.

An expert claimed electricity-related fire could be caused because of five main reasons — overloading of conductor or cable or related equipment, short-circuit in wiring or cable, poor or loose connection that gives rise to sparks, use of inferior quality material and frequent blowing of fuses leading to heavy sparking.

He added that a stitch in time could save nine.

Using good quality wire or cable, avoiding loose joints, timely replacement of old wires, fuses of adequate capacity, proper distribution boards, good earthing and miniature circuit breakers could prevent a short circuit.

Fuse boxes should be kept at a sufficient distance from combustible material. In case a fire breaks out, sand should be used to douse the flames.

Sahay, a former member of Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission, said no premises of government or private organisations follow the norms as prescribed under electrical safety code.

According to the code, an electrical inspector from the energy department is supposed to inspect the premises and oversee whether or not safety norms have been complied with. The inspector issues a certificate of safety to the premises. They can also issue a licence or renew it, once he is satisfied with the norms.

Sources in the electricity department, however, claimed that this norm is hardly followed in the state.