On The Level Home Inspections Home Inspections, FHA 203K Consulting, Thermal Scans and More
NJ Home Inspector Lic #24GI00064100
FHA 203k Consultant ID #P1707
Certified Thermographer #34446
We offer competitive rates and flexible scheduling! Call (609) 607-0485
to schedule services today.
Electrical Fires
Source: NASD
Electricity can be a potent fire source. Many farmers and others have lost a barn or house from old or defective wiring. Overloaded wiring can be very dangerous. It is safer and more efficient to install new circuits.
|
Potential Electrical Fire Hazards
Potential electrical fire hazards are everywhere. A build up of dust, trash and spider webs is an invitation for fire to start in the electrical system. Good housekeeping greatly reduces the odds for a fire.
Unprotected light bulbs in work areas are another potential hazard. They can be hit and broken causing a fire. Electrical wiring can be hit when drilling holes or driving nails in walls causing a fire.
Power Delivery System
Many fires result from defects in, or misuse of, the power delivery system. Wiring often fails due to faulty installation, overloading, physical damage, aging and deterioration by chemical action, heat, moisture and weather. Such wiring should be replaced and new circuits installed.
Overloading circuits by hooking on more electrical devices than they are designed to handle is a typical problem. Do not overload circuits. Dimmed lights, reduced output from heaters and poor television pictures are all symptoms of an overloaded circuit. Add up the wattage of electrical devices and lights on each circuit. Keep the total load at any one time safely below maximum capacity. When using a high wattage device such as a heater, iron or power tool, switch off all unnecessary lights and devices. Try to connect into a circuit with little electrical power demand.
It is hazardous to overload electrical circuits by using extension cords and multi-plug outlets. Use extension cords only when necessary and make sure they are heavy enough for the job. Avoid creating an octopus by inserting several plugs into a multi-plug outlet connected to a single wall outlet.
If a fuse blows or circuit breaker trips repeatedly while in normal use (not overloaded), check for shorts and other faults in the line or devices. Do not resume use until the trouble is fixed. Use extension cords heavy enough to carry required wattage to the devices in use. Use grounded extensions for three-prong equipment.
Each circuit must be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker that will blow or break when its safe carrying capacity is surpassed. Any circuit will take a temporary overload, like when a motor starts. Time delay (slow blow) fuses will handle this. Circuit breakers provide time delay and are the preferred type of protection for general use.
Motor and Power Tool Fire Hazards
Motor troubles can trigger a fire. Overheating due to excessive dirt, overloading, poor ventilation, arcing or sparking could ignite combustible materials (chaff, grease, trash) on or near it. Keep the area around motors and heaters free of flammable or combustible materials. Provide plenty of ventilation for motors, and keep them clean. Internal failures or shorts could cause a motor to burst into flames.
Most electrical devices are subject to internal wiring failures, faulty power cords and switches that add to fire risk. Inspect all electrical devices and their cords. Repair frayed insulation at once. If an electrical device does not work or works poorly, makes unusual noises, smokes or has a burnt smell, issues sparks or a pop, unplug it immediately, and have the problem fixed.
In Case of a Fire
If an electrical fire starts at a wall outlet, pull the plug by the cord or turn off the main switch. Call the fire department, give them your address and tell them it's an electrical fire. If the fire is small, use your home CO2 fire extinguisher. Never put water on an electrical fire. If in doubt, get everyone out. If the fire is large, call the fire department and try to turn off the main power source. Do not try to handle the fire yourself.
" John was very knowledgeable and extremely thorough. We would recommend him in a heart beat. Thanks again for excellent service!"
Mike and Liz T.
Proudly serving:
Ocean County NJ
Adamstown, Allenwood, Bamber Lake, Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Barnegat Pines, Bay Head,Bayville, Beach Haven, Beach Haven Crest, Beach Haven Garden, Beach Haven Park, Beach Haven West, Beach Haven Terrace, Beachwood, Berkeley Township, Brant Beach, Breton Woods, Brick, Brick Town, Cape Breton, Cassville, Cedar Bonnet Island, Cedar Run, Cedarcroft, Cedarwood Park, Chadwick, Clarksburg, Creamridge, Dover Township, Forked River, Freewood Acres, Harmony, Harvey Cedars, Haven Beach, Herbertsville, Holmeson, Howell, Island Beach, Island Heights, Jackson,Jackson Mills, Lake Riviera, Lakehurst, Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Center, Lakewood, Lanoka Harbor, Laurelton, Lavalette, Legler, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach Island, Manahawkin, Manchester, Mayetta, Metedeconk, Midstreams, Millstone Township, Mystic Island, New Egypt, New Grenta, Normandy Beach, North Beach, North Beach Haven, Ocean Gate, Ortley Beach, Osbornville, Osborn Island, Pakertown, Peahala Park, Pelican Island, Pine Beach, Pine Lake Park, Pinewald, Plumsted, Point Pleasant Boro, Point Pleasant Beach, Riviera Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom , Shore Acres, Silver Bay, Silverton, South Toms River, Southard, Spray Beach, Stafford, Staffordville, Surf City, Toms River, Tuckerton, Wading River, Waretown, Warren Grove, Washington Township, West Creek, West Point Island, Whitesville, Whiting, Woodland Township
Atlantic County NJ
Absecon, Absecon City, Absecon Heights, Absecon Highlands, Ancora, Atlantic City, Bargaintown, Batsto, Belcoville, Blue Anchor, Braddock, Brigantine, Brigantine City, Buena, Cardiff, Cologne, Devonshire, Egg Harbor, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Elm, Elwood, English Creek, Estell Manor,Farmington, Folsom, Galloway, Galloway Township, Germania, Green Bank, Hammonton, Landisville, Leeds Point, Linwood, Longport, Lower Bank, Margate, Margate City, McKee City, Milmay, Minotola, Mizpah, Nesco, Newtonville, Northfield, Oceanville, Pinehurst, Pleasantville, Pomona, Port Republic, Richland, Rosedale, Scullville, Smithville, Somers Point, South Egg Harbor, Steelmanville, Ventnor, Ventnor City, Ventnor Heights, Weekstown, West Atlantic City, Weymouth
Burlington County NJ
Beverly, Birmingham, Bordentown, Bridgeboro, Browns Mills, Burlington, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Chatsworth, Chesterfield, Cinnaminson, Cookstown, Crosswicks, Delanco, Delran, Eastampton, Eastampton Township, Fieldsboro, Florence, Fort Dix, Hainesport, Hainesport Township, Indian Mills, Jobstown, Juliustown, Kresson, Lenola, Lumberton, Lumberton Township, Mansfield, Maple Shape, Marlton, Marlton Lakes, Masonville, McGuire Air Force Base, Medford, Medford Township, Medford Lakes, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Mount Holly Township, Mount Laurel, Mount Laurel Township, New Gretna, New Lisbon, North Delran, North Hanover, North Marlton, Palmyra, Pemberton, Pine Grove, Rancocas, Rancocas Woods, Riverside, Riverton, Shamong, Southampton, Southampton Township, Tabernacle, Tabrnacle Township, Vincentown, Westampton, Westampton Township, Willingboro, Wrightstown
Monmouth County NJ
Aberdeen, Adelphia, Allenhurst, Allentown, Allenwood, Asbury Gardens, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Avon by the Sea, Belford, Belmar, Bradevelt, Bradley Beach, Bradley Park, Brielle, Cedar Beach, Claksburg, Cliffwood, Cliffwood Beach, Cold Indian Springs, Colonial Terrace, Colts Neck, Cream Ridge, Creamridge, Deal, Deal Park, Earle Naval Weapons Station, East Freehold, East Keansburg, Eatontown, Elberon, Elberon Park, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Fort Hancock, Fort Monmouth, Freehold, Georgia, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Ideal Beach, Keansburg, Keyport,Lake Como, Leonardo, Lincroft, Little Silver, Manalapan, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawn, Middletown, Millhurst, Monmouth Beach, Morganville, Navesink, Neptune, Neptune City, North Long Branch, North Middletown, Oakhurst, Ocean, Ocean Grove, Oceanport, Port Monmouth, Port-au-Peck, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shark River Hills, Shrewsbury, South Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tennent, Tinton Falls, Union Beach, Wall, Wanamassa, West End, West Long Branch, Whitesville
I perform home inspections, thermal scanning and lead testing in the following areas of New Jersey:
- Ocean County, NJ including Barnegat, , Brick, Long Beach Island, Toms River, Stafford,
- Atlantic County, NJ including Atlantic City, Galloway, Margate, Northfield, and Pleasantville,
- Burlington County, NJ including Cresterfield, Cookstown, Southampton and Wrightstown
- Monmouth County, NJ including Adelphia, Belford, Middletown and Rumson
Remember to change or clean your heating/cooling system’s air filter regularly. Follow the manufactures’ recommended instructions. Not only will this help filter out dust, pollen, and other pollutants, it will help keep your heating/cooling system running efficiently.
John Harashinski is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.
Tweets by @OnTheLevelHome