There is great debate within the electrical installation fraternity as to whether these devices will provide a worthwhile, reasonably cost-effective control measure in mitigating the risk of ignition. Currently the regulations require their deployment in high rise residential buildings, HMOs, care homes and student accommodation which suggests the authors of the regulations are concerned with life-safety rather than property protection. The devices are to provide protection for any circuit with socket outlets rated at up to and including 32A. As I understand it, the risk of the arcing is not within the fixed wiring but rather in the equipment connected to the socket outlets. However, whilst there are plenty of examples of fires caused by such equipment, there is no solid evidence to indicate the percentage of such fires caused specifically by arcing. I imagine such granular detail is not available through the IRS. Perhaps I am cynical, but the requirement for these devices does not seem to be an evidence-based determination, which leads me to suspect that commercial interests have taken precedence.
If I remember right, I asked this forum why ASDs were not required in the bedrooms of dwellings when a relatively high proportion of fires started there. The answer, at least in part, was due to the cost burden. Could someone confirm that for me?
