The second symposium for electrical safety experts titled “Application of Safety Measures in General Buildings – Urgent Need” is to take place at the Sheraton Riyadh on March 27-28. The conference is sponsored by the Ministry of Water and Electricity and will discuss a number of topics such as the introduction of Ministerial Resolution No. 324 to approve the changing of electrical volts from 127/ 220 to international standard 230/400 volt. It will also discuss the most recent international safety regulations for electrical facilities, commercial, educational, health and industrial buildings. The forum will then discuss how to implement protective measures to minimize human and economic losses. It will build on last year's symposium titled “Safety of Electrical Expansions for Buildings, Why and How”, which stressed the importance of finding a mechanism for coordination between different entities concerned with electrical safety. The symposiums are seen as necessary to counter a number of accidents at public buildings. In a statement regarding the symposium, the Deputy Minister of Water and Electricity, Dr. Saleh Bin Hussein Al-Awaji, said: “Most electrical accidents in public buildings occur due to poor safety precautions, design mistakes, electrical safety systems failures, wrong use of electricity and ignorance of safety rules and maintenance for electrical installations.” He said poor awareness among electricity users has lead to accidents, fires and electrical shocks at a number of public buildings. Al-Awaji said that it is very important therefore to enforce the Saudi Buildings Code, test and inspect electrical connections and provide better training for workers. “The Ministry will cooperate with specialists to execute the second symposium recommendations, which will draw on the knowledge of experts from US, Europe, and East Asia for the benefit of Saudi specialists.” The second symposium for electrical safety experts is being sponsored by the Motabaqah company, which is certified by the Saudi Certification Board to inspect electrical products and systems to ensure conformity with Saudi Standard Specifications. Motabaqah Vice CEO Dr. Saleh Bin Hamad Al-Sadrani said: “Electricity is a source of energy and one of the most important means of making life easy. However, despite its many benefits, it represents risks for human life and property such as fire, explosions and death. If safety measures and instructions are ignored during electrical connections, this may cause electrical shocks and even death.” The symposium is also being sponsored by Schneider Electric. The president for infrastructure division at Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia, Patrick MoorVice, said the company is happy to sponsor the symposium. “We appreciate the efforts of the Kingdom in focusing on this important topic. Safety is one of the strategic aspects in our work. We are working with our partners to achieve highest levels of use for energy and we are concerned about safety, not only for humans, but also for equipment.” __
