Mr. Luan Quoc Hung - Deputy General Director of EVNHCMC – stated that according to current regulations, the area in front of the electricity meter is managed by the electricity sector, and EVNHCMC always adheres to technical processes and regulations, especially applying new technologies to minimize the risks of short circuits causing fires and explosions due to electrical grid incidents. The area behind the meter is the responsibility of the customer.
Since 2017, EVNHCMC has developed a plan and proactively coordinated with local authorities to conduct surveys and assess the electricity usage status in households located in areas with high fire and explosion risks; residential houses combined with business and production; houses adjacent to markets; old apartment buildings, etc. To date, nearly 350,000 households have been surveyed and advised by EVNHCMC on safe and economical electricity usage.
Surveys have shown that newly constructed facilities generally have safer electrical systems. Meanwhile, households, business households, and old apartment buildings often have indoor electrical wiring systems that are not suitable for the load, improperly installed connections; do not use protective devices suitable for the load, old electrical wiring, and equipment that have been used for a long time without inspection, maintenance, or replacement.
Some households have unsafe electricity usage habits such as: placing flammable materials like gas, gasoline, oil, paper, fabric, etc., near electrical lines and heat-generating devices; forgetting to unplug irons, fans, and electric stoves after use; using a single electrical outlet for multiple devices, etc.
“During the consultation process, we have warned about the condition of the indoor electrical system and the shortcomings and issues that could pose safety risks and lead to fires and explosions in electricity usage. We have coordinated with households to immediately address simple issues such as electrical wires hooked through window gaps, exposed connections, aging or peeling electrical tape to ensure safety,” Mr. Luan Quoc Hung said.
To enhance the effectiveness of preventing fires and explosions due to unsafe electricity usage, EVNHCMC recommends that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee continue to direct local authorities to coordinate and support the electricity sector in propagating, mobilizing public consensus, and supporting the electricity sector in surveying, assessing, and advising customers to enhance safety in electricity usage.
At the same time, it is recommended that local authorities and relevant agencies strictly manage households with residential houses combined with business activities. When issuing new construction or renovation permits, investors must be required to have an electrical system design dossier in accordance with Circular 20/2014/TT-BXD of the Ministry of Construction, and continue to strengthen fire safety inspections for markets, shopping centers, and key facilities with large gatherings in Ho Chi Minh City, and strictly handle violations.
