By Tan Yean Chin
The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) is gravely concerned over the electrocution which occurred and was reported in the various media on 26th July 2016 of a Malaysian studying in a Korean university who has died after she was believed to have been electrocuted while taking a hot shower in her family home at Garden Homes, Seremban 2.
Sources in the media quoted that Seremban OCPD has said on Tuesday than initial investigations showed that the student was having a hot shower when she was electrocuted.
Similar incidents have also resulted in electrocution in the past few years and it is indeed a grave concern to IEM.
Currently, IEM is unable to verify the actual reasons for the electrocution as the available information is not sufficient to conclude the causes of the accident. However, the electrocution may occur due to equipment failure, and subsequently the unavailability or defective electric shock safety protection consisting of Residual Current Devices (RCD) and earthing to protect the water heater system.
Current Electricity Regulations 1994 specifically require residential installation to be mandatorily installed with appropriately rated Residual Current Devices (RCD) and earthing based on its use. The purpose of the RCD is to detect any dangerous leakage current caused by defective equipment. Hence the correct installation and maintenance of RCD and earthing is critical to ensure that the electrical safety of the consumers is well protected and serves as the primary electrical safety protection if there is any malfunctioning of the equipment.
The Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga) in 2014 had then issued a circular which is concurrent with The Electricity Regulations 1994 which it has uploaded on its website to urge developers to practise the correct use of the RCD especially for the water heater equipment. All power supply to the water heater equipment or wet areas has to be mandatorily equipped with a RCD of a sensitivity of less than or equal to 10mA.
In addition, the Electricity Regulations 1994 (Amendment 2013) enables the Energy Commission to regulate electrical equipment in line with safety requirements as well as to safeguard consumers’ interests. 34 types of electrical equipment are being regulated and one of them is the water heater. These regulated Electrical Equipment are to be tested to the specified standards, hence fulfilling the safety requirements. Hence, consumers are also advised to ensure that the water heaters purchased are with SIRIM-ST approval stickers.
IEM, via its Electrical Engineering Technical Division, together with other related associations and stakeholders such as The Electrical and Electronic Association of Malaysia (TEEAM), are currently assisting the Energy Commission (EC) to formulate the “Code of practice for installation and maintenance of water heaters” which is in the final stages of its formulation. With this code, IEM hopes to work with EC and TEEAM to create awareness of the importance of the proper design, installation and use of water heater to consumers.
Tan Yean Chin is the President of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
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