as/nz wiring rules 3000:2007 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

The badly damageed Broadford RSL HallEIV_quarter vertical_LWE 21/4/04 11:25 PM Page 1handy safety hint.Always ensure plenty of ventilation whenusing gas appliances.ELECTRICALINSPECTIONSVICTORIAEXPERTS IN ALL AREAS OFELECTRICAL SAFETYElectrical Inspections Victoria Pty Ltd provides electrical inspectionsand consulting services to registered electrical contractors,developers and supply authorities across Victoria.Electrical Inspections Victoria has the experience,qualification and resources to provide theservice you need.The fluorescent lamp showing the central ballast andfaulty wiring. In this instance, incorrectly heat ratedinsulated conductors have been used to pass over hotsurfaces, such as ballasts. If there is overheating theinsulation will fail after a period.For more information contactELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS VICTORIA PTY LTD(03) 9739 4216 or visit www.eivic.com.auelectrical fireresults inloss of warmemorabiliaThe fire at the Broadford RSL hallin January which resulted in thedestruction of irreplaceable war andmilitary service memorabilia and whichwas a major focus of media reports atthe time, probably resulted from anelectrical fault, an ESV investigationhas concluded.A preliminary report of ESV investigations saidan onsite inspection with a CFA investigatorrevealed that the northwest corner area of theRSL Club building appeared to be the originalsource of the fire.“At this location was situated the incomingelectrical service cable – approximately threemetres back from the street location. Remnantsof SERF type fuses were located below theoriginal switchboard location. A close inspectionfurther revealed that four single 40-wattfluorescent light fittings were also located inthe north west area of the structure.“It is understood that these fittings wereoriginally located within a pelmet structurefor the illumination of a memorabilia displaylocated on the north wall. One of the light fittingsindicated clear evidence of 1/.064 active andneutral copper conductors. Pendulous bulbs ofmolten copper were clearly visible where theywere positioned over the fluorescent’s ballast.“It appears extremely likely that this mayhave been the origin of the fire. The insulationafforded the conductors was not able to beverified as all cable insulation were destroyedduring the fire – none was evident at thislocation.“It has not been established whether the lightfittings were energised at the time immediatelyprior to the time of the conflagration,” said theESV report.The Age reported on the day after the fire thatthe memories of generations had turned to ashin the blaze. Military medals, photos, flags andweapons were among the items destroyed orleft blackened by the fire.RSL sub-branch president Ron Johnsonwas quoted as saying that the 65 memberswere devastated by the loss of the hall and itspriceless memorabilia. “It’s like losing an oldfriend,” he said. “It’s real bad.”Military medals for bravery had been amongthe pieces on display, their ceremonial ribbonsburnt by the flames. Some of them dated backto World War 1.A report in the Herald Sun said three-quartersof the building was destroyed by the fire withthe damage bill estimated at $300 000.13SUMMER/AUTUMN 2008 ISSUE 11