If you take some basic electrical safety precautions, many of the problems which affect commercial buildings can be avoided. Below is a guide to 3 things you can do to protect the electrical system in your commercial building.

Monitor the temperature

While the occupied spaces in your commercial building are probably kept a steady temperature using a combination of heating and air conditioning, the same cannot be said about unoccupied areas. Unoccupied areas of a commercial building, such as the attic and service rooms are generally not temperature controlled. If the temperature of these room rises very high, it could cause the plastic insulation on electrical wiring to begin to weaken and melt, increasing the risk of a short circuit and electrical fire. You should ensure that any unoccupied spaces are properly ventilated so that the temperature within the spaces does not get too high. 

You should also be aware of drops in temperature. If the plastic insulation cools down at night and warms up during the day, it will repeatedly shrink and then expand. This constant movement can weaken the insulation. To combat this, you should ensure that service spaces and attics are periodically heated during the colder months.

Check any extension cords

In a busy commercial building, it is likely that you will have more electrical appliances than you have wall sockets. Extension cords are a great way of increasing the number of power points within different areas of the building. However, if you use a large number of extension cords, you may be placing excessive strain on the electrical systems in your commercial building. To avoid this, you should limit the number of extension cords used. You should also have the extension cords inspected by a qualified electrical contractor to ensure they are functioning in a safe manner. If you notice that an extension cord displays any signs of damage, you should replace it immediately.

Install a lightning conductor

If your building is hit by a lightning strike, it could cause a power surge which damages expensive electrical equipment and could result in an electrical fire. To protect your commercial building from lightning strikes, you should install a lightning conductor. A qualified electrician can install a lightning conductor on the roof of the building which will channel the electrical energy generated by a lightning bolt to the ground, protecting the electrical systems.

If you would like further advice on electrical safety, contact a commercial electrician.