The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has issued an advisory to homeowners and businesses over the increase in fire outbreaks linked to faulty solar energy installations.
The Kano State Command of the FFS is urging the public to seek technical supervision before and during the installation of solar power systems to mitigate the risk of avoidable disasters.
They attribute the surge to the DC Danger Zone, involving high-voltage Direct Current (DC) arcs that are more difficult to extinguish than standard Alternating Current (AC) fires.
In standard AC systems, the voltage alternates, passing through zero volts 100 times per second ( frequency), which helps self-extinguish small sparks. In contrast, DC voltage remains constant. If a cable is damaged or a connection is loose, the electricity can jump across the gap, creating a plasma arc that can reach temperatures exceeding .
The Deputy Superintendent of Fire (DSF) Alhassan Kantin, Public Relations Officer for the Kano State Command, confirmed that the service is deploying its engineering unit to provide technical guidance to the public. This is in response to the report that many recent electrical fires are the result of substandard equipment, poor wiring, and the use of unqualified technicians.
The Federal Fire Service has inaugurated a specialized committee led by Assistant Controller General (ACG) Bolarinde Tajudeen Muhammed, to enforce these safety standards. This task force, which comprises legal directors and senior engineers, is saddled with the responsibility to conduct nationwide risk assessments of public and private buildings to ensure compliance with the National Fire Safety Code.
Property owners planning new installations are encouraged to visit their local FFS command for a safety brief.
