toast master
Well-Known Member
Recently one of rui members had a close call with a fire in his op...
I thought now might be a good time to discuss some fire prevention...
i will try to make a short list covering some basic things ,but you know you just cant cover it all , there is just no way to prevent human error ..but we all need to be more fire savy...
so.....
1- keep a fire extinguisher handy. NOT IN the op, but where it can be reached easiely...
2- electrical over load safety.... this is a big one ...
you should never ,never , over load your plugs... so what do you do,
lets face it .. not all apartments. residences ,garages are set up for growing .. if you try to put 25 amps on a 15 amp plug your going to have a fire... not if but when...
80 % of the load is recomended on outlets .. you can have a 20 amp breaker but a 15 amp plug ..check the rating of the plug its the first thing in line to the breaker.... why do they do this.... $$$$$$ when building the structure.
3- exposed lamps... all lamp mfg recomend installation in a fixture.. lamps are not designed to be exposed to sudden temp changes such as water splashing on them from a spray bottle or what ever might come in contact with it ... cool tubes eliminate this problem ... a must have .. if you have an exposed lamp.. it could eventually burst.... bursting of the outer envelope of the lamp can expose you to, broken shards of glass, ultra violet rays.. eye and skin burning etc. depending on lamp type ....
4- extension cords.... the only thing Tesla never thought of... cheap china imports..... your cord needs to be rated to the maximum amount of load you intend to use it for .. plus 20 % 10 amp load -- 15 amp cord
you should not put 20 amps on a 20 amp cord... 80 % rule applies
5- timers.. not all timers are created equal.. most timers are for running xmas lights ... if you have one dump it .. get a timer rated for the load you intend to put on it ... heavy duty timers are usually 20 amp... 80 % rule applies here also.....
I have not begun to cover all the things that should be covered .. but try to use good comon sence... dont plug 10 different things into 1 plug...
all electrical products have a mfg tag that always gives ratings for it. if you have a product that doesnt have one dont use it .... ever , toss it .
if your not sure about the way your going about a certian install.. ask some one who is qualified.. a local electrician can help, most are eager to take half your grow for 10 minutes of there time ...lol
seriously dont cut corners, number one mistake.. IT WILL BE OK TILL MORNING
there is plenty more to cover so chime in and give your suggestions .. just dont clog the thread with your horror stories .. save those for another thread...
good luck... my your buds smlie upon you....
I thought now might be a good time to discuss some fire prevention...
i will try to make a short list covering some basic things ,but you know you just cant cover it all , there is just no way to prevent human error ..but we all need to be more fire savy...
so.....
1- keep a fire extinguisher handy. NOT IN the op, but where it can be reached easiely...
2- electrical over load safety.... this is a big one ...
you should never ,never , over load your plugs... so what do you do,
lets face it .. not all apartments. residences ,garages are set up for growing .. if you try to put 25 amps on a 15 amp plug your going to have a fire... not if but when...
80 % of the load is recomended on outlets .. you can have a 20 amp breaker but a 15 amp plug ..check the rating of the plug its the first thing in line to the breaker.... why do they do this.... $$$$$$ when building the structure.
3- exposed lamps... all lamp mfg recomend installation in a fixture.. lamps are not designed to be exposed to sudden temp changes such as water splashing on them from a spray bottle or what ever might come in contact with it ... cool tubes eliminate this problem ... a must have .. if you have an exposed lamp.. it could eventually burst.... bursting of the outer envelope of the lamp can expose you to, broken shards of glass, ultra violet rays.. eye and skin burning etc. depending on lamp type ....
4- extension cords.... the only thing Tesla never thought of... cheap china imports..... your cord needs to be rated to the maximum amount of load you intend to use it for .. plus 20 % 10 amp load -- 15 amp cord
you should not put 20 amps on a 20 amp cord... 80 % rule applies
5- timers.. not all timers are created equal.. most timers are for running xmas lights ... if you have one dump it .. get a timer rated for the load you intend to put on it ... heavy duty timers are usually 20 amp... 80 % rule applies here also.....
I have not begun to cover all the things that should be covered .. but try to use good comon sence... dont plug 10 different things into 1 plug...
all electrical products have a mfg tag that always gives ratings for it. if you have a product that doesnt have one dont use it .... ever , toss it .
if your not sure about the way your going about a certian install.. ask some one who is qualified.. a local electrician can help, most are eager to take half your grow for 10 minutes of there time ...lol
seriously dont cut corners, number one mistake.. IT WILL BE OK TILL MORNING
there is plenty more to cover so chime in and give your suggestions .. just dont clog the thread with your horror stories .. save those for another thread...
good luck... my your buds smlie upon you....