Toronto Fire Services Training Note 303.2 PDF

Training & Technical Operations Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: August 8, 2023 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 300 Public Transportation SECTION:...

Training & Technical Operations Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: August 8, 2023 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 300 Public Transportation SECTION: 303 Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) - Subway SUB-SECTION: 303.2 Emergency Power Cut/Trip UNIT: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 2 2 EMERGENCY ALARM STATIONS (EAS)...................................................... 2 3 PAX PHONES................................................................................................. 4 4 TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION (TTC) POWER CONTROL.................. 4 5 EMERGENCY POWER CUT / TRIP PROTOCOL.......................................... 5 6 EMERGENCY POWER CUT / TRIP TO TRACK SWITCHES........................ 6 7 EMERGENCY BACKUP POWER ON TRAINS.............................................. 6 Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 303.2 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: August 8, 2023 Page 1 of 6 1 INTRODUCTION An essential part of any subway emergency at track level is an Emergency Power Cut/Trip. An Emergency Power Cut/Trip is the process of shutting down power at track level to the Traction Power Rail (Third Rail), which powers subway trains. 2 EMERGENCY ALARM STATIONS (EAS) Emergency Alarm Stations (EAS) are located at the ends of all Subway and Rapid Transit platforms and at 150-metre (500 ft.) intervals in track level tunnels and open cut sections. Blue lights will identify the location of every Emergency Alarm Station. NOTE: The blue lights located at the EAS do not indicate whether the power is on or off. The blue lights are illuminated at all times. Each EAS contains a PAX phone and an Emergency Power Cut/Trip device. The Emergency Power Cut/Trip device is a power disconnect that disengages the Third Rail power breakers. The EAS Emergency Power Cut/Trip devices MUST be activated as personnel travel along the track. The PAX phone should be used to communicate with TTC Transit Control Centre who will transfer you to TTC Power Control. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 303.2 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: August 8, 2023 Page 2 of 6  Above each EAS at track level, is a sign that indicates the distance to the closest exit in green, the distance to the alternative exit in yellow, the EAS identification number at that location, and the power cut/trip number for that power cut/trip device. There are three types of Emergency Power Cut/Trip Devices: In all three cases, the power is immediately cut on both tracks, in both directions. Power to any adjacent storage tracks is also cut. There is both a visual and audible alarm at TTC Transit Control Center. NOTE: TTC Transit Control Centre will never guarantee or confirm that the Third Rail has no power, they will only advise that they have an “indication of power off”. This is not confirmation of power off. Always treat the Third Rail as live. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 303.2 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: August 8, 2023 Page 3 of 6 3 PAX PHONES PAX is an abbreviation for the word ‘Passenger’. These phones are spaced throughout subway tunnels and stations to allow for convenient internal communication. To call any internal TTC phone, dial ‘3555’, or (416) 393-3555 as TTC has gone to the VOIP system and many PAX phones now require the full number, to reach the TTC Transit Control Centre. These phones will have their specific call number visible on the access door to the phone itself. NOTE: Firefighters should use the information identified on the PAX phone when reporting their location at an emergency scene. This will help Incident Commanders accurately deploy resources, where needed (i.e. Dundas Station – Northbound Platform, South End). 4 TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION (TTC) POWER CONTROL TTC Power Control, which is located within the TTC Transit Control Centre, controls the subway ventilation system and monitors all electrical substations used to generate and distribute 600 Volt DC traction power (Third Rail) in the subway, rapid transit and streetcar systems. TTC Power Control can advise you of the extent of power cuts and when vehicle movement in the area has stopped. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 303.2 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: August 8, 2023 Page 4 of 6 5 EMERGENCY POWER CUT / TRIP PROTOCOL The following steps shall be followed prior to proceeding from platform level to track level. This will ensure proper protocol and the safety of personnel. Locate the EAS. Utilize the PAX phone by dialing ‘3555’ and connect with TTC Transit Control Centre before cutting power. TTC has gone to the VOIP system and many of the PAX phones require the full telephone number (416) 393-3555. Give your name, position, the location identified at the EAS and the reason the Emergency Power Cut/Trip is needed. They will connect you with TTC Power Control. After consultation with TTC Power Control, perform the Emergency Power Cut/Trip. Power cut/trip may be delayed in some instances, such as allowing trains to roll into a station for passenger evacuation. TTC Power Control will advise you of the location(s) of the Emergency Power Cut/Trip, as well as ensure that vehicle movement in the area has stopped. NOTE: TTC Transit Control Centre will never guarantee or confirm that the Third Rail has no power, they will only advise that they have an “indication of power off”. This is not confirmation of power off. Always treat the Third Rail as live. Record the name of the TTC staff confirming the Emergency Power Cut/Trip. Leave the PAX phone off the hook to ensure the line is open with TTC staff. Transmit via radio to the TFS IC or TFS Communications that an Emergency Power Cut/Trip has been performed. If travelling further into the tunnel, activate the Emergency Power Cut/Trip at each Emergency Alarm Station (EAS), as encountered. This ensures power is cut further down the tunnel, as well as indicating your location and direction of travel to TTC Power Control. The only telephone call needed regarding power cut(s)/trips is made at the first EAS. The Third Rail shall always be treated as live, and firefighters should remain between the running rails. TFS crews shall be aware that track switches can continue to operate, even when this protocol has been followed. These switches are operated remotely, powered from a separate source and with no warning can create a severe pinch hazard. NOTE: ALWAYS treat the Third Rail as live even after an Emergency Power Cut/Trip has been performed. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 303.2 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: August 8, 2023 Page 5 of 6 6 EMERGENCY POWER CUT / TRIP TO TRACK SWITCHES Track Switches are still operational even after an Emergency Power Cut/Trip to the Third Rail has been performed. DO NOT step on them or near them. DO NOT step beside the control box as they are operated automatically from a remote location. A Track Switch is designed to crush anything in its path and has enough force to move a subway train. Once activated, these Track Switches will not release. Never try to force a switch with a pry bar, request assistance from the TTC Transit Control Centre. Always treat these Track Switches as ‘live’. NOTE: When consulting with TTC Transit Control (3555) or 416-393-3555 (if VOIP system), request to have the power cut to the Track Switches at the same time the Emergency Power Cut/Trip to the Third Rail is being performed. This request shall be made if there are Track Switches at the station where the emergency incident is occurring, or if the existence of Track Switches is unknown. Be aware, disabling a Track Switch may take some time, so TFS crews shall ALWAYS treat the Track Switches as live. 7 EMERGENCY BACKUP POWER ON TRAINS TFS crews must be aware that once power is cut at an EAS, trains will only have three hours of back-up battery power. Battery power will not allow the train to be moved but will power emergency systems, lights, heating, and air conditioning. TTC will attempt to stop trains at station platforms for ease of evacuation of passengers. If a train is in a tunnel when power is cut, evacuation of passengers at track level may be required. 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