1018.07.00 - Electrical Emergencies Guideline.pdf

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. # 1018.07.00 Subject: Electrical Emergencies Guideline Adopted: March 6, 2002 Effective Date: January 1, 2008 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 3 Due for Revision Date: N...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. # 1018.07.00 Subject: Electrical Emergencies Guideline Adopted: March 6, 2002 Effective Date: January 1, 2008 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 3 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 Table of Contents 1018.07.01 Purpose 1018.07.02 Operations 1018.07.03 Residential Fires or Incidents 1018.07.04 Commercial Fires or Incidents 1018.07.05 Safety Guidelines Page 1 of 3 1018.07.01 Purpose The primary purpose of this guideline is to provide for the safety of emergency personnel and to ensure a standardized response to incidents involving electrical hazards. Always treat any power line or wire as if it were a “live” power line. Under no circumstances are electrical power meters to be pulled by anyone other than a power company representative. 1018.07.02 Operations A. Downed Power Lines 1. If downed power lines (service drop to the structure) are encountered on the property of a structure fire, the officer in charge or his/her assigned individual shall set up a safety area of 25 feet around the line. Cones and or safety tape are adequate to use and all personnel shall be notified of the area to avoid. If entrance is blocked to the structure by downed power lines, all suppression activities shall be put on hold until the utility company can remove the hazard, or another route of entry is found. 2. If downed power lines are encountered in the field from either a transmission line or feeder line to a transformer drop, a safe distance of 75-100 feet shall be implemented. Do not attempt to remove any power line from a vehicle involved in an accident. Notify Lee Control to have the proper agency respond. 3. Many structures have multiple power services, which means that there may be more than one main power meter and sub-panel. To secure power inside the structure the firefighter shall turn all disconnects and circuit breakers to the “Off” position as instructed by IC/OPS. Upon completion notify IC/OPS. It may be beneficial to leave lighting circuits on if conducting search and rescue. B. Underground utility transformers and power lines 1. These present a hidden danger, in that you cannot see the actual lines that are damaged or energized. Under no circumstances shall emergency response personnel open or attempt to open transformer housings. The officer in charge shall have someone stand by to assist the power company upon their arrival. Extinguishment of these units shall take place after the power company turns off the power. C. Energized wires 1. If energized wires are encountered within the structure shall be avoided at all costs. Emergency personnel shall notify the officer in charge as to the location of these wires. If at all possible, a warning marker should be left at the location to warn others. Page 2 of 3 1018.07.03 Residential Fires or Incidents Upon arrival at a structure fire involving a residential unit, the officer in charge shall assign a company or an individual to secure the main power to the unit. Utilize a lockout/tag-out device (padlock, seal, etc.) to the disconnect or main panel. Upon completion notify IC/OPS. If the power cannot be controlled to the off position by external means, the officer in charge shall be notified immediately and all suppression teams shall be advised. Notify Lee Control to have the power company respond to disconnect the power line or meter to the structure. IC/OPS will notify all personnel on scene when power has been disconnected. Do not place department vehicles under overhead electrical power lines. 1018.07.04 Commercial Fires or Incidents Many commercial occupancies have more than one power supply, requiring more than one main disconnect or sub-panel. When a building has a generator as a back-up or emergency power supply, you must turn off the main breaker at the generator to assure that the power is completely disconnected. The fire floor should be disconnected from the power source and lockout/tagged out. Do not remove power from the other floors until it is necessary. This will allow you to have light for search and rescue, elevators, and ventilation systems. If the system cannot be locked-out/taggedout, then the firefighter must remain at the post until the event is completed or the power company representative removes power from the entire building. 1018.07.05        Safety Guidelines Never open a disconnect switch in an explosive atmosphere. Never pull an electric meter. Never leave power shut-offs unattended without being locked-out/tagged-out. Never step on or touch “downed power lines”. Always consider all power lines as active and “live”. Never turn power back on without having a direct order from the officer in charge. When disconnecting D/C battery systems you should remove the negative terminal first then the positive terminal. Page 3 of 3