A recent emergency call-out in a Southampton entertainment venue highlights the importance of regular electrical inspections, especially in environments prone to vibration and heavy use.
Recently, Solid Electrics was called to an entertainment venue in Southampton after the fire brigade had to isolate power due to smoke coming from one of the distribution boards. The owners were understandably concerned and wanted to know what had gone wrong — and how to prevent it from happening again.
Upon investigation, I discovered that one of the sub-circuits had suffered damage caused by a loose connection. It wasn’t part of the main fuse or incoming supply, but a subsystem affected by prolonged vibration from the equipment used on-site. In environments like this — with music, sound systems, and constant movement — connections can loosen much faster than they would in a domestic setting.
In a typical home, such issues might take 20–30 years to develop. But in a commercial environment with regular vibration and heavy load use, it can happen much sooner. As the connection loosens, resistance increases, leading to overheating and, eventually, the release of PVC fumes from cable insulation — a clear warning sign of a potential fire.
The business already had a fire detection system in place, which helped identify the issue before it became more serious. After confirming the fault, I sourced the replacement parts (which weren’t available off the shelf), and within three days, the system was repaired and the business was safely back up and running.
To help prevent similar incidents, I’ve recommended the addition of thermal imaging inspections and routine connection checks as part of their ongoing maintenance plan. These proactive steps can identify hot spots and loose connections early, reducing downtime and protecting both staff and customers.
If your business relies on high-energy equipment or operates in an environment with constant vibration, consider scheduling regular inspections.
👉 Contact Solid Electrics for professional electrical maintenance and testing to keep your business safe and compliant.
📞 023 8181 0636
🌐 www.solidelectrics.co.uk/contact
