DUVAL MESSIEN, a world leader in electrical protection and specialist in earthing systems today raised the concern that cities across the region, including the UAE may need to reconsider their regulatory enforcement policies to prevent electrical fires and electrocutions at residential, industrial and commercial sites. Earthing is a process by which electrical fault from the electrical sockets are directed safely away from appliances and persons, to the earth pit located a the bottom or behind buildings and villas. Composition of mix in the earth pit determines the efficacy of absorbing electrical at the time of fault . It is of greater concern in hot dry climates such as the Middle East where brine based solutions continue to be the most preferred choice for its lower cost, yet require greater maintenance, which can sometimes go neglected raising the risk of exposure to millions of households and office workers.
In particular, the company raised the concern amongst older villas and other structures where electrical fires are common may be due to poorly maintained earthing or poorly chosen electrical appliances.
“Electrical fires are a critical issue for this region as the hot weather here causes a more rapid deterioration in the earthing mix, such that more frequent maintenance is needed. Often for one reason or another, such maintenance is simply overlooked. In villas where consumers have direct control over how to best to protect their property and families, greater consideration should go into how to avoid such dangerous situations,” said Mr. Sonjib Banerjee, Technical Director, specialist speaking at the conference on "Save Life & Assets by Proper Earthing" Dubai World Trade Center.
Common signs
A common sign of poor earthing is simple electrical shocks or zingers, householders feels when they touch any electrical appliance. Without a doubt this is more common amongst lower cost or inferior quality electrical products which one needs to be careful of. The situation is more hazardous in apartment blocks where the choice of electrical appliances by neighbors may impact outcomes for the entire building sometimes.
Regulatory standards in flux: In many parts of the world earthing systems and processes are highly regulated by authorities with strict standards of practice as it has serious implications on safety of humans and property. Such standards however remain in flux in the region, but it is likely to become a subject of concern as population density in the cities and outlaying areas raises.
“The most common earthing used in the UAE is a mixture of coke with bentonite soil and because of the hot dry climate earthing commonly used here needs regular maintenance, as often as every 4 months in some cases. Good earthing stays effective longer, and needs lesser maintenance.
Emergency support teams
As a whole, there is cause for concern as various cities in the region undergo an economic boom and emergency rescue teams are unable to travel in time or are not adequately in place.
Duval Messein are innovators of Terec+ having two patents. It is a French product using silicate base, offering artificial soil treatment that reduces soil resistivity by 65-95% depending on soil conditions, resulting in maintenance free, long term, cost effective solution.
About DUVAL MESSIEN
Manav Enterprises FZC are the sole distributors of Duval Messien
Lightning Protection & Earthing systems for the Arabian Gulf. Satellite 3 Lightning Protection system & Terec+ Earthing Compound are state-of-the-art products introduced by them to the region. The multi-national team boasts,
specially trained sales and engineering specialists with valid experience in
various terrains and a diverse variety of project types including Refineries, Defense, Telecom, Airports, Industries, Shopping malls, Commercial/residential towers, Palaces & villas. The company has recently been awarded contracts with The Burj Tower, DEWA Head Office, International City and Raffles Hotel in Dubai; royal palaces in Oman; and other prestigious projects across the GCC region. The company is located in Freezone in UAE with distribution offices conveniently dotted across all emirates, expanding soon to the rest of the region.
