CHANGING THE CODE® CULTURE

Copyright Material IEEE

Paper No. ESW2015-45

Brett Brenner
President
Electrical Safety Foundation International
th
1300 17 St. N., Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22209
USA
Brett.Brenner@esfi.org

Abstract - Much attention is given to educating and instilling
a fundamental safety culture in the electrical industry’s skilled
workforce; as it should. However, given the prevalence of
electrically-related fires, injuries, and deaths, one could argue
that there is a lack of electrical safety culture among the general
public; or at least a lack in sufficient knowledge and behaviors
to effectively reduce electrical incidents. This paper will explore
the shortcomings of the public’s electrical safety culture and
their impact. Particular attention will be devoted to the National
Electrical Code® (NEC) and its role in saving lives and
preventing injury. With the introduction of each new version,
the National Electrical Code faces resistance as adoption is
delayed, enforcement is lax, and general apathy prevails to
varying degrees across the United States. Additionally this
paper will outline opportunities to educate and engage the
public to help the NEC gain widespread support while grooming
safety advocates from all industries and backgrounds.
failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition. These
fires resulted in 418 civilian deaths and 1,570 civilian injuries
[1]. Additionally, approximately 2,400 children each year suffer
severe shock and burns when they stick items into the slots of
electrical receptacles [2]. In light of this data, it would seem that
our electrical safety culture is lacking in the fundamental
practice of proper maintenance, inspection and use necessary
for harmonious life involving electricity.
III. THE NEC® PREVENTS FIRES, INJURIES & DEATHS
Adoption of the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides the
necessary level of safety to protect you from electrical fire and
shock hazards. With a three-year revision cycle, it is
responsive to the public and its needs. An evolving code allows
the incorporation of new technologies and enhanced safety
protections in a timely manner.

Index Terms — Electrical safety, National Electrical Code®,
NEC
I. INTRODUCTION
The IEEE IAS Electrical Safety Workshop “provides a forum
for changing and advancing the electrical safety culture to
enable sustainable improvement in eliminating electrical
incidents, injuries and fatalities.” Culture is an elusive term to
define, but one version describes it as “the behaviors and
beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group.”
Accordingly, primary attention is given to educating and
reinforcing a fundamental safety culture in the electrical
industry’s skilled workforce. However, this paper will review
gaps in the public’s electrical safety culture, particularly as it
relates to their attitudes towards the National Electrical Code®.
This paper will review some of the more common myths and
misconceptions held by the public as well as highlight
opportunities for education upon which members of the
electrical industry could capitalize.
It was once believed that outlet covers provided sufficient
protections against shock or electrocution to children who
tampered with wall receptacles. However, one study conducted
by Temple University’s Biokinetics Laboratory reported that
100% of children ages 2 to 4 years old were able to remove
one brand of plastic outlet covers from the sockets in less than
ten seconds [3]. Not only were plastic outlet caps ineffective
deterrents for young children, they are also a choking hazard.
Tamper resistant receptacles were found so effective, they
have been required since the 2008 edition of the NEC in all
electrical outlets and receptacles installed in newly constructed
homes. Amazingly, official estimates suggest that the
associated increased cost per average new home is less than
$50 [4].
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are another
technology that proved effective in preventing electrical injury or
death. First mandated in the 1971 edition, the NEC has
continually expanded its GFCI requirements to all kitchens,
bathrooms, garages, basements, crawlspaces, and outdoors.

II. IMPACT OF A LACKING SAFETY CULTURE
Though electricity has become central to our everyday lives,
electrical safety education has not experienced the same
pervasiveness. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) estimates that 47,700 home structure fires reported to
U.S. fire departments in 2011 involved some type of electrical
New or expanded protections not only protect people, but
also property. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
estimates that AFCIs could prevent roughly 50% of the
electrical fires that occur every year [5]. First introduced to the
NEC in 1999, AFCIs are hardly considered new technology.
Yet, the NEC has continuously sought to further expand the use
of AFCIs by encouraging their protection in every room of the

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house. The 2014 NEC even provides a variety of options
through which consumers can provide AFCI protection in
accordance with requirements.
These are but a few examples of the ways in which the NEC
has improved the safety of the public and its property. With
each new version, safety advances, lives are saved and
property is protected better than ever before.
IV. RESISTANCE TO CODE ADOPTION
Despite its capacity to save lives and property, some
jurisdictions resist the timely adoption of the newest NEC
edition. Though most states recognize the value of the timely
adoption of the latest code editions, eight states remain on the
2008 National Electrical Code as of the writing of this paper
(June 2014) [6]. Citing financial or administrative hardships,
special interest groups often meddle in the process and attempt
to extend the adoption process from three to six years.
However, with technology constantly evolving, any delay in
adoption would prevent codes from incorporating new
technology and practices that were not available for
consideration in the previous edition. A cycle extension would
stifle the continuous dialogue and transparency the process has
established and leave residents years behind the established
minimum requirements for safe electrical installations. This
detracts from the practical safeguarding of persons and
property from hazards arising from the use of the most recent
edition.
The opportunity for the interests of a small group to be held in
higher regard than the safety of the public demonstrates a
fundamental safety culture deficiency, especially among the
governmental personnel who allow this situation to persist.
V. GENERAL APATHY
While critics often claim that the new codes create a financial
burden for home builders and buyers, this assertion must be
kept in perspective. For example, examining the average unit
cost of AFCI and TRR devices and then calculating the number
of these devices required in a home constructed in compliance
with the NEC, there is an estimated $390 increase in the total
cost of a building a new 2,500-square-foot home [7]. Consider
the tragic, alternative cost of a home fire caused by an arc fault
occurring in a home not protected by AFCIs. Or worse yet,
taking a child to the emergency room for injuries resulting from
tampering with a wall outlet not protected by TRRs. A true
understanding of the protections provided by the NEC should
motivate homeowners to embrace the Code. Citizens can
encourage their jurisdictions to adopt the most recent edition of
the NEC and proactively ensure their homes are up to code.
But until the electrical safety culture of the general public
includes a fundamental understanding of the value of the NEC,
such actions will likely remain an ideal.
VI. CAPITALIZE ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Any profession within the electrical industry that interacts with
the general public can elevate the public’s electrical safety
culture.
Homebuilders, contractors, electricians and inspectors are
uniquely positioned to convey the value of compliance with the
2
most recent edition of the NEC. Generally removed and
unconcerned with the electrical industry, electrical safety is
likely not a top concern for the public. However, professionals
can better serve their clients, and the public, by providing an
explanation of the technologies employed by the NEC and their
potentially life-saving impact.
Participation in the code development process should also be
encouraged. The NEC is revised by the National Fire
Protection Association's Committee on the National Electrical
Code, which consists of 19 code-making panels and a technical
correlating committee. Anyone, including the public, may
submit proposals but they should demonstrate data-based
evidence that clearly indicates a need for the revision. Panels
then review all proposed revisions and comments and, through
consensus, establish the rules that then make up the next
version of the NEC.
Retailers, manufacturers and others within the electrical
industry could also leverage their niches to enhance the
electrical safety culture. Do you, or your staff, make a point to
explain certification marks and their value? Do you warn
consumers about the dangers of counterfeit electrical products?
Do you engage in “upselling” not just in terms of price, but also
encouraging the purchase of enhanced safety technologies?
The Code provides only the necessary level of safety to protect
you from electrical fire and shock hazards. There are many
ways in which consumers could go above and beyond in the
name of safety and they likely would when properly informed.
Similarly, governmental agencies and personnel recognize
the value your businesses bring to their jurisdictions. Be sure
your stance on the Code and its timely adoption are known.
Help enhance the electrical safety culture amongst leadership
within your communities so that they, too, can become safety
advocates.
VII. CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of electrically-related fires, injuries and deaths
indicates the need for enhanced electrical safety education.
The public must recognize the value of electrical safety and
understand the systems and processes in place to help protect
them from electrical hazards. However, such progress will
require a collaborative effort. All sectors within the electrical
industry must take it upon themselves to leverage organic
teaching opportunities that arise in their businesses. The
industry must also become vocal advocates of the National
Electrical Code and the safety it codifies to ensure local
leadership and the general public understand the true necessity
of a robust electrical safety culture.
VIII. REFERENCES
[1] J.R. Hall, Jr. “Home Electrical Fires,” NFPA Fire Analysis
& Research, Quincy, MA April 2013
[2] “Tamper-Resistant Electrical Receptacles Fact Sheet,”
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
[3] Biokinetics Research Laboratory, Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. Perceptual and Motor
Skills (Impact Factor: 0.49). 05/1997; 84(2):387-92.
[4] A. Moldoveanu, “Children and Electrical Outlets:
An Opportunity to Enhance Safety,” National Electrical
Manufacturers Association, 2007.
[5] “Economic Considerations – AFCI Replacements.
Memorandum.” United States Consumer
Products Safety Commission, March 2003.
[6] “Adoption of the National Electrical Code® by State or
Local Jurisdiction,” National Electrical Manufacturers
Association, April 2014.
[7] P. Abernathy, “Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters—Examining
Virginia’s Amendments,” electroindustry, September
2012.
IX. VITA
Brett Brenner became President of the Electrical Safety
Foundation International (ESFI) in 2005 and has since
developed aggressive marketing and awareness campaigns to
advance electrical safety messages. With extensive
experience in the financial sector, Brett demands deliverables
and anticipates industry trends and concerns ahead of public
recognition. Such successes have established ESFI as the
primary source for unbiased electrical safety information to
reduce the incidences of fires, injuries and deaths.
Founded in 1994, the Electrical Safety Foundation International
(ESFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to
providing unbiased information regarding electrical safety. ESFI
proudly executes a variety of awareness campaigns to address
emerging and seasonal electrical safety issues, including
National Electrical Safety Month each May. These efforts aim to
educate the public and help prevent fatalities, injuries, and
property damage resulting from electrical fires in the home,
school, and workplace.