Fire Risk Resources

Cell towers, whether 5G technology or 4G LTE acting as 5G, are going to be brought closer to the center of people’s lives. This proximity to people’s homes, schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, hospitals, parks and places of business creates an increased fire risk for many states where fire risk is already a serious threat. The economic cost is incalculable because the telecom self-insures and frequently places cell towers in LLCs that can declare bankruptcy and escape financial ruin for the carrier. Localities pay the price. Every cell tower is an electrical device. Every electrical device will eventually fail.

The job of the electrical engineer is to make sure that when an electrical device fails, it fails as safely as possible and does not create a fire. That is what the National Electric Code (NEC) is for. Electric codes are important because they tell you that professional electrical engineers have been involved in design decisions that protect life, health and property. When an electrical engineer stamps his/her signature and his/her professional seal on a design, they are putting their professional reputation and their job on the line in case that design or diagram ends up failing. These electric codes are extremely important. Telecom was able to obtain an exemption from the National Electric Code.