Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary objective when using a fog pattern hose stream at the base of a power pole during an electrical equipment fire?
What is the primary objective when using a fog pattern hose stream at the base of a power pole during an electrical equipment fire?
- To create a safe path for evacuation by suppressing potential flames.
- To cool down the electrical equipment to prevent further damage.
- To protect the surrounding area from fire spread and electrical hazards. (correct)
- To extinguish the fire as quickly as possible, regardless of surrounding area impact.
Why should downed power lines always be considered energized?
Why should downed power lines always be considered energized?
- Because they are always actively transmitting electricity.
- As a precaution against static electricity buildup in the lines.
- Due to the potential for automatic re-closing, back-feed conditions, and reel memory. (correct)
- Because visual inspection cannot reliably confirm de-energization.
What is the recommended action for occupants who must evacuate a vehicle in contact with downed power lines due to fire or life threat?
What is the recommended action for occupants who must evacuate a vehicle in contact with downed power lines due to fire or life threat?
- Exit the vehicle normally, ensuring not to touch any part of the vehicle and the ground simultaneously.
- Jump free of the vehicle with legs together and 'hop' away without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time. (correct)
- Wait for emergency personnel to create a safe zone before exiting the vehicle.
- Carefully step out of the vehicle, making sure to maintain contact with the vehicle until safely away.
In which scenario is it permissible for firefighters to let power pole fires burn?
In which scenario is it permissible for firefighters to let power pole fires burn?
What is the most critical consideration when dealing with electrical vault and manhole fires?
What is the most critical consideration when dealing with electrical vault and manhole fires?
What information should the Communication Center be provided with when requesting power companies to drop a grid?
What information should the Communication Center be provided with when requesting power companies to drop a grid?
What does the guideline state regarding the operation of Fire Rescue during incidents?
What does the guideline state regarding the operation of Fire Rescue during incidents?
What is the significance of 'Reel Memory' in the context of downed power lines?
What is the significance of 'Reel Memory' in the context of downed power lines?
When dealing with downed power lines involving vehicles or structures, what action should be taken regarding the occupants?
When dealing with downed power lines involving vehicles or structures, what action should be taken regarding the occupants?
What is the appropriate action to take before making entry into an area with a power pole fire?
What is the appropriate action to take before making entry into an area with a power pole fire?
What is meant by the term 'Exclusionary Zone' in the context of downed power lines?
What is meant by the term 'Exclusionary Zone' in the context of downed power lines?
According to the guideline, what hazards do electrical equipment fires present?
According to the guideline, what hazards do electrical equipment fires present?
What should you consider when power lines are down over a large area?
What should you consider when power lines are down over a large area?
When encountering transformer fires at ground level, what action should be taken?
When encountering transformer fires at ground level, what action should be taken?
During a response to downed power lines, what is the significance of performing a 360-degree size up?
During a response to downed power lines, what is the significance of performing a 360-degree size up?
What immediate action should be taken if aromatic (re-closing) noises are heard at the scene of downed power lines?
What immediate action should be taken if aromatic (re-closing) noises are heard at the scene of downed power lines?
Why is it important to consider any object in contact with downed power lines as energized?
Why is it important to consider any object in contact with downed power lines as energized?
When presented with a life-threatening situation involving downed power lines, what should be considered before requesting the power company to shut down the grid?
When presented with a life-threatening situation involving downed power lines, what should be considered before requesting the power company to shut down the grid?
What is the purpose of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) 300-01?
What is the purpose of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) 300-01?
Transformer fires above ground should be permitted to burn until utility company personnel can extinguish with what?
Transformer fires above ground should be permitted to burn until utility company personnel can extinguish with what?
Flashcards
Downed power lines
Downed power lines
Downed power lines should always be treated as if they are energized, regardless of what you hear.
Reel Memory
Reel Memory
Power lines have a tendency to curl back or roll on themselves when down.
Response to downed power lines
Response to downed power lines
Perform a 360-degree size up, request the utility company, consider all lines as energized, and locate both ends of the downed lines.
Exclusionary Zone
Exclusionary Zone
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Vehicles/Structures with Downed Lines
Vehicles/Structures with Downed Lines
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Occupant escape from energized vehicle/structure
Occupant escape from energized vehicle/structure
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Power pole, transformer, electrical fires
Power pole, transformer, electrical fires
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Power pole/transformer ground fires
Power pole/transformer ground fires
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Electrical Vault/Manhole Fires
Electrical Vault/Manhole Fires
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Information to shut down electrical grids
Information to shut down electrical grids
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Study Notes
- Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) 300-01 addresses power line incidents.
- It was issued on September 1, 2012, and became effective on October 1, 2012.
Purpose
- This document provides guidelines for the safe and effective response to reports of downed power lines and electrical equipment fires.
Authority
- The Fire Rescue Administrator.
Scope
- This guideline applies to all Emergency Operations personnel.
- Fire Rescue operates under the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Personnel Safety
- Electrical equipment fires can present additional hazards, including toxic smoke, electrocution potential, and secondary fires.
- Exercise extreme caution when spraying water on or around energized electrical equipment, as hose streams conduct electricity.
- Never spray water directly into a power line, instead, use a fog pattern at the base of the pole to protect the surrounding area.
- Downed power lines must always be considered energized.
- Power lines can reset and become energized again through manual operation of a switch, automatic re-closing methods, induction from a nearby energized line, or back-feed conditions (generators).
- Lockout of downed power lines generally happens after three attempts to re-energize.
- Power lines retain "Reel Memory" and may curl or roll unexpectedly.
Emergency Incident Activities
- When responding to power lines down, a 360-degree size-up must be done.
- A utility company response is necessary.
- Consider all power lines and any objects in contact as energized.
- Locate both ends of downed lines and identify an Exclusionary Zone, keeping a distance of at least one span between power poles.
- Secure the area and deny entry, then wait for the utility company to de-energize the line and assume control.
- Request additional resources if multiple lines or poles are down over a large area.
- For incidents involving vehicles or structures, perform a 360-degree size-up and request the utility company.
- Occupants should remain inside the vehicle or structure, keeping away from the downed lines
- Position apparatus a safe distance away.
- Occupants needing to exit should jump free with legs together and "hop" out without touching the vehicle/structure and ground simultaneously.
- For power pole, transformer, substation, electrical vault, and manhole fires, perform a 360-degree size-up.
- Request a utility company response.
- Be aware of explosion potential.
- Place apparatus safely away from hazards.
- Do not enter the area until the utility company has de-energized the power lines or equipment.
- Fences around the area should also be regarded as energized.
- Power pole and transformer fires at ground level should be permitted to burn until the utility company confirms power is off.
- Transformer fires above ground should be extinguished using a dry chemical extinguisher from an aerial device by utility company personnel.
- Sub-station Fires requires consultation and cooperation with the utility company.
Electrical Vault and Manhole Fires
- These fires carry a high potential for explosion and create toxic smoke that requires decontamination.
- Never enter the area or park apparatus over manhole covers.
- Allow the vault and manhole fires to burn and protect exposures when there is no life hazard.
- Power companies should get address, device number, and Incident Commander number.
- Requests to shut down electrical grids are considered when life-threatening situations are present.
- Evaluate risks of grid closure such as loss of power to traffic lights.
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