Latin America. Safety should be the priority in recovering from damage caused by any natural disaster. Hurricanes, storms and floods are just some situations that we can face, in which in addition to losing much of our belongings, we run the risk of hurting ourselves if we do not take the necessary precautions with electrical equipment. Trying to restore electrical power with water-damaged equipment can be deadly.
After a flood, we begin to assess the damage that the water has caused. It is important to know what to do and what not to do to ensure safety, prevent further damage to equipment, and reduce financial losses. To this end, Schneider Electric, a global energy management and automation company with 136 years of experience and a long history in electrical safety, shares these recommendations for home and business owners:
Residential assets:
If there is no electricity after a flood, the first thing you'll need to check is if there are no burned fuses or damaged switches on the electrical board (commonly known as a switch).
Before replacing the fuses or turning on the switches, it is preferable to disconnect as many appliances as possible to reduce the electrical load.
In the event that there are signs of electrical shorts, smoke, fire, or water damage near the electrical contacts, all items in that area should be disconnected and should not be used until a professional electrician reviews the damage caused and makes the necessary repairs. Not following this recommendation can be deadly.
Even if the electrical power has been restored after suffering a flood at home and apparently everything is in good condition, it is better to ask the professional to inspect if there is hidden damage and thus avoid future risks.
Business facilities:
Electrical equipment that has been submerged or that has been in contact with water should be replaced. There are exceptions to the rule when it comes to larger equipment, which can be refurbished or repaired by the manufacturer.
Parts that conduct electric current in any equipment could be in contact with insulators or other materials that prevent them from drying properly and being free of debris, which could be a risk when turning on.
Never apply cleaning or abrasive agents to the parts that conduct current from the electrical equipment to remove foreign residues and other substances, since some compounds can cause deterioration to certain parts of the equipment and be of high risk when turning on.
A professional electrician should carefully inspect equipment that was not submerged to determine if there is moisture inside and if the equipment needs to be replaced or repaired.
Businesses should consult the codes and standards applicable to the industry to which they belong to ensure they take the safest path of recovery.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 40 percent of businesses do not reopen after being damaged by a natural disaster. The process of recovery and financial losses creates a lot of stress for home and business owners.
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