Here's How To Reduce Jakarta Fire Rates Dominated By Electric Short Circuits

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JAKARTA - Thousands of fire cases in Jakarta still occur every year. In the last three years, the most common cause in Jakarta is an electrical short circuit with a percentage of 73 percent.

Senior Manager of Communication and General Affairs of PLN UID Jakarta Raya, Haris Andika emphasized the importance of standardizing electrical devices to prevent fires that are often caused by short circuits.

In particular, for residents who live in densely populated settlements and have a high vulnerability to the occurrence of fires.

According to Haris, the use of electrical equipment that is not in accordance with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) is one of the main causes of the fire.

"The equipment used in the community often does not meet the standards. For example, the cable that should be for salons or speakers is actually used for electricity. In fact, each type of cable has different technical specifications," said Haris in a discussion at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Wednesday, September 18.

According to him, cables that do not comply with specifications certainly do not have the same quality as those according to standards. This can be dangerous because the electricity flow is often excessive.

"Uncertified cables from SNI can be dangerous, such as cables that should accommodate 10 ampere currents, but overflow at 5 ampere," he explained.

Selain itu, Haris juga mengingatkan pentingnya kesadaran masyarakat dalam menggunakan perangkat listrik. "Kerap kali, pengguna tidak peduli dengan kapasitas stop kontak. Misalnya, menggunakan satu stop kontak untuk banyak perangkat, yang bisa memicu kebakaran," tambahnya.

Meanwhile, the Head of the DKI BPBD Pusdatin, Mohamad Yohan, said that the potential for a fire disaster in Jakarta was caused by densely populated settlements and the lack of public sensitivity to the threat of fire.

The most cases of fires were also caused by electrical shorts due to negligence in the use of electricity. Generally burned objects are housing, public or industrial buildings, motorized vehicles, installations outside buildings, plants, stalls, and garbage.

"The largest contributor to the cause of the fire in DKI Jakarta Province for 3 years was an electrical short circuit. With a percentage of 73 percent," said Yohan.

For this reason, Yohan said that the DKI Jakarta BPBD plans to implement a program to control the use of electricity in lower-middle settlement areas called Electricity Surgery. This program is carried out with relevant agencies such as the Gulkarmat Service, PPKUKM Service, PLN UID Jakarta Raya, and AKLI.

"This activity aims to minimize fire incidents and the impact of victims on the community," he explained.

In its implementation, relevant stakeholders prepare to replace electrical devices found by officers that do not match standards including installation of gas stoves, electrical plugs, to electrical cables indoors and outdoors. Then, officers also provide education and socialization to the public about the importance of ensuring that electric devices comply with standards.

Through these various programs, it is hoped that the public will be aware and involved in mitigating the fire due to an electrical short circuit.

"The joint team went down to check the use of electrical installations in and out of space as well as provide education and socialization to the local community regarding the use of electrical installations that are safe from disasters," added Yohan.