High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies PDF

Procedure 503 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies - 1 High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies 503.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document prov...

Procedure 503 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies - 1 High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies 503.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides arrival and on on-scene procedures for Chesapeake Fire Department units responding to a high-voltage electrical emergency. Corresponding Policies: 319 Hazardous Materials Response 300 Incident Management 503.2 FIRST FIVE MINUTES The first arriving Chesapeake Fire Department unit should contact the Emergency Communications Center and provide the following information: • Unit on-scene • Initial scene size-up • Unit assuming incident command (IC) • Confirmation that the power company is responding The Incident Commander (IC) should: #Perform or direct another member to perform a 360 assessment of the incident and report results to the IC. #Establish the department accountability system for all personnel on-scene. #Establish a restricted area based on the specific hazard. No person should be permitted to enter the restricted area unless directed by the IC. #Contact the Emergency Communications Center to get an update on estimated time of arrival for power company and request additional resources as appropriate. 503.3 PROCEDURES 503.3.1 RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT (a) Apparatus 1. Apparatus should be positioned depending upon these responses: (a) Overhead emergencies - When practicable, apparatus should be placed according to the Traffic Incident Management System and Roadway Incidents Procedure. Avoid placing any apparatus under the involved utility equipment and overhead wires leading up to the involved utility equipment. Apparatus should be placed no closer than two poles from the involved utility equipment. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies - 2 (b) Interior emergencies - Apparatus should be placed in accordance with the Structure Fire Response Procedure. Avoid parking under wires servicing the structure or next to utility boxes. (c) Traffic collisions and vehicle fires - When practicable, apparatus should be placed according to the Traffic Incident Management System and Roadway Incidents Procedure. If wires are laying on a vehicle or a utility pole is involved, apparatus should be placed no closer than two poles and on the opposite side of the road from the hazard. Avoid placing apparatus under overhead wires when reasonable to do so. (d) After the lines have been confirmed to be de-energized, and fire extinguishment achieved, a thorough Primary and Secondary search will be conducted for vehicles and Freight Transport units . (e) Substation emergencies - Apparatus should be placed in accordance with any substation pre-plan or, if no substation pre-plan exists, then the Hazardous Materials Incident Response Procedure. (f) Underground emergencies - When practicable, apparatus should be placed according to the Traffic Incident Management System and Roadway Incidents Procedure. Apparatus should be placed at least 200 feet from the hazard. Apparatus should not be parked over manhole covers. 2. Personnel (a) Personnel should don and remain in full personal protective equipment (PPE) and remain with their assigned apparatus and out of the restricted area until otherwise directed by the IC. 503.3.2 OPERATIONS Refer to Corresponding Procedures section for appropriate scene operations. 503.4 UNIVERSAL PRACTICES (a) All down, low, broken, frayed or split wires should be considered energized regardless of their appearance. (b) No scene should be considered safe by any Chesapeake Fire Department personnel until confirmed by on-scene power company personnel. (c) During electrical emergencies, seemingly safe conditions can rapidly and violently escalate, leaving no time for a safe retreat. The restricted zone established by the IC should be large enough to reasonably include any area that could become unsafe if the hazardous condition escalates. (d) During electrical emergencies, wires often become energized to a higher than normal voltage. This includes cable television and phone lines. Personnel should avoid contact with any wires until the power company has confirmed the hazard is de- energized. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department High-Voltage Electrical Emergencies - 3 (e) During electrical emergencies, objects near and around a high-voltage source often become energized. This can include trees, poles, fences, buildings, automobiles, fire hydrants, guard rails, natural gas pipes, and water pipes. Personnel should avoid contact with any object near the hazard until the power company has confirmed the hazard is de-energized. (f) The ground itself may become energized to deadly levels. If members must approach a site, they should walk slowly so the energized ground can be felt before it reaches lethal voltage. Members should not run, push or drag anything or anyone to or from a site as this may escalate the hazard. (g) Generators and solar panels have the potential to “back feed” into wires, panel boxes and other utility related equipment. Check and confirm that solar power systems or generators are disconnected from the hazard before engaging in any activity. 503.5 PROCEDURE DECISION TREE