Man electrocuted while taking shower in Sharjah

A resident of an old building in Sharjah has died of electrocution while taking a bath in a shower.

The Pakistani victim, who lived in the Qadissiya area of the emirate, was found inside lying in the bathroom in a semi- conscious state after collapsing from a suspected electric shock from the damaged wire that connected the water heater.

The victim’s brother called police and, with the intervention of paramedical staff, he was rushed to the Kuwait Hospital, but he could not survive the electric shock. 

The plastic coating of the electrical wires used in the water heater was found damaged and melted. Electric circuits get overloaded especially during summer as many devices are connected to a single socket. The problem is worse in bachelor accommodations where several people share the same facility.

The incident has raised anxieties of residents of old buildings in Shajrah, many of which have very old electric connections.

Sharjah Police has warned residents and building owners about the danger posed by outdated electrical devices. It is learnt that many old buildings in the area have dangerous electrical wiring and devices.

A number of electrocution injury and deaths had been reported earlier from different parts of the UAE due to faulty electrical devices, especially water heaters that explode or cause electric shock if the correct heat and pressure are not maintained or if the plastic insulation is damaged. As electricity passes through water, it can reach steel pipes or taps and cause shock.

Lack of proper building maintenance can cause such incidents, according to Emirates Standardisation and Meteorology Authority (Esma) which regulates the electrical devices market in the UAE.

According to Esma, electrical devices like water heaters and irons have to be registered and certified by the authority before they are sold in the UAE market. 

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, Abdulla Abdelqadir Al Maeeni, Director of Esma’s Conformity Affairs Department, said: “Three years ago, we received many electric shock accident reports due to faulty water heaters or other electric devices. After our investigation, new regulations were introduced which has reduced the number of such cases. Earlier, manufacturers or traders used to send laboratory reports about the product’s safety. Now our inspectors visit manufacturers or traders, inspect all the raw materials and other safety aspects before certifying and allowing them into the UAE market.”

He said Esma investigation of earlier electrocution cases from water heaters indicated that the water heater may not be faulty, but due to poor maintenance, electric wires connecting the device may get in touch with water.

“Even if the building is new, lack of proper maintenance can cause the electrical wires to be in touch with water or people directly, exposing them to the risk of electric shock. If the building is old but the water heater is in good condition, shock hazards still exist from exposed wiring and lack of proper maintenance, ” Al Maeeni added.

Electrical products like power extension cords, irons, water heaters, microwave ovens etc have to be registered with Esma before they are sold in the market.

Traders and manufacturers who violate UAE quality standards can be penalised with heavy fines and licence cancellation.

 

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