KTEMB urges regular checks to reduce electrical fire risks

The president of the Turkish Cypriot Electrical Contractors’ Association (KTEMB), Türkay Uzun Sılalı, has called for regular inspections of electrical installations and household appliances to help identify fire risks early.

Halkın Sesi reported that Sılalı linked the issue to a fire in the kitchen of a home in Gönyeli, where a dishwasher reportedly short-circuited. He said electrical fires could be prevented through routine checks and timely repairs.

According to the report, Sılalı said installations can become hazardous over time because of loosened connections, damaged insulation, excessive loads, worn equipment or unsuitable changes made after installation.

He urged that the safety and maintenance condition of household appliances be assessed regularly, while protective systems within electrical installations should also be checked. He also said technical investigations should establish whether a fire began in an installation or an appliance, and whether protection systems operated properly.

Sılalı called on relevant institutions to introduce risk-based periodic inspections carried out by competent personnel, with identified deficiencies corrected. He said routine inspection and control systems for existing buildings should no longer be delayed.

KTEMB, he added, was ready to cooperate with relevant institutions on developing and applying technical standards.