AC Fires Are Rising — The Science, the Standards, and the Climate Link

General Studies Paper 3 — Science and Technology, Disaster Management
Source: Delhi Fire Services / Bureau of Indian Standards, 2026

1. What Happened

Multiple deadly air conditioner fires — including one that killed the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India — have exposed a growing safety crisis. With India’s heatwaves becoming more intense every year, household air conditioners are being pushed beyond their design limits, leading to a sharp rise in electrical fires and “AC blasts.”

2. How AC Fires Happen — The Cause Chain

From heatwave to fire — a step-by-step chain

1. Extreme Heat → Compressor Overload

When outdoor temperatures cross 45°C, the compressor has to work much harder to cool. Non-inverter ACs — which switch fully on and off repeatedly — face the most stress. This constant cycling degrades wiring insulation and overheats internal components.

2. Short Circuit → Fire Ignites

When melting insulation exposes live wires, electrical current takes an unintended path — this is a short circuit. The sudden surge in current generates intense heat, igniting nearby plastic or fabric. Building wiring not designed for multiple ACs running together worsens this.

3. Refrigerant Leak → Explosion Risk

ACs use pressurised refrigerant gas to carry heat. If the gas leaks in a closed room and meets a spark from the short circuit, it can ignite — causing a blast. This risk is increasing as India transitions to newer refrigerants (R32, R290) which are eco-friendly but mildly flammable.

3. Value Box — Key Bodies and Standards

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the ISI Mark

Enforces mandatory Quality Control Orders for electrical appliances. ACs must comply with safety standards (IS 1391, IS 302) covering electrical safety, insulation resistance, and flame-retardant materials. Products passing these tests carry the mandatory ISI mark.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) — The 24°C Rule

Under the Ministry of Power, BEE mandates that all star-labelled air conditioners must have a default temperature setting of 24°C. Every degree below 24°C increases energy consumption by about 6%, placing additional strain on both the AC compressor and the electrical grid.

Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol

A 2016 amendment committing countries to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases used as refrigerants. India ratified the amendment in 2023. The phase-down timeline for India as a developing country begins in 2032.

Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding air conditioner safety standards and the Kigali Amendment:

1. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Ministry of Power, mandates that the default temperature setting for all star-labelled room air conditioners must be 24°C.
2. The Kigali Amendment is an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and deals with the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons used in air conditioners.
3. The Bureau of Indian Standards enforces mandatory Quality Control Orders for electrical appliances, and products meeting safety standards carry the ISI mark.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only