HYDERABAD: Power Ministry’s proposal to cap the temperature of air conditioners at 24 degrees received widespread criticism, but the State fire services department claims it’s a blessing in disguise for them as well as general public. The reason: there’s an increase in fire outbreaks due to short-circuit in electronic appliances in the city. Officials say a majority of these short circuits happen in air conditioners installed in homes and commercial buildings. A default setting, officials say, can reduce power fluctuations and thereby, potential disasters. “A lot of fires begin in the outdoor units of split ACs,” says regional fire officer V Papaiah.
“When temperature setting is around 16 or 17 degrees, the electrical load on the system increases making them prone to short circuits,” he says. Explaining the phenomenon further, Santosh Salian who works as product group head for ACs with Godrej Appliances says there are two factors that affect an AC compressor -- heat load and improper temperature settings.
“For the comfort of the human body and optimum usage, 24 degrees is the right temperature. Anything lower than this has an effect on the running time of compressor and on the life of the product,” he says. He adds that countries like UAE, which witness scorching heat and harsh weather conditions, have set temperatures on the remote control up to 20 degrees, reducing the scope of misuse.
According to the consolidated statement of details of fire accidents in the State as between January and April, this year, second largest number of fires (1,175) in the State were caused due to short-circuit in electrical appliances. Careless smoking caused the most number of fires (2,079).
Fire breaks out in two separate incidents
Hyderabad: A fire accident broke out at Kings colony in Rajendranagar late on Sunday night. The fire erupted in a household after a refrigerator exploded in the house. It is suspected that the cause of fire accident is likely to be short-circuited. There were no one present in the house when the fire broke out, however, property worth Rs60,000 was damaged. Meanwhile, in another fire accident, a dilapidated building in Santosh Nagar, close to the Chanchalguda central prison, caught fire. The fire officials approached in time and doused the flames.