DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION of FIRE COLUMBUS, OHIO

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1 DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION of FIRE COLUMBUS, OHIO SUBJECT: Administration TITLE: SOP Revisions Electrical Emergencies PURPOSE: Implementation ORIGINATING BUREAU: Emergency Services EFFECTIVE DATE: 2/26/ February 24, 2017 The following SOP has been Issued. SOP #: Name: Electrical Emergencies Status: Issued Effective Date: 2/26/2017 It is the intent of the Division to periodically revise the SOP Manual and to make revisions available on the Internet. The revisions are available from the Divisions Publications link on the Division of Fire Internet home page. Any member unable to obtain SOP revisions from the Intranet should contact Research and Innovation at ext David J. Walton Administration Officer James R. Cannell, Jr. Acting Fire Chief

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3 Subject: Standard Operating Procedures S.O.P. Number Vol-CH-Cat.Sub Electrical Emergencies Approved: Fire Chief Issued: 02/26/2017 Reviewed: 01/31/2017 Revised: 01/31/2017 Section 1 Administration 1.1 Purpose: The purpose of this procedure is to provide basic knowledge to assist members when responding to electrical emergencies and establish basic guidelines and procedures in the handling of incidents involving electrical hazards. 1.2 Responsibility: It shall be the responsibility of each member to know, understand, and utilize these procedures as they apply to the situation at hand. It shall further be the responsibility of all Division officers to train their subordinates in the proper application of these procedures and to implement and enforce the use of these procedures. Section 2 Overview 2.1 An electrical emergency is present where an incident or fire involves any energized electrical equipment or facility with an immediate threat to life or property due to fire, damage, or malfunction. Section 3 General 3.1 The safest and most preferred method in which electrical emergencies can be handled is to have the electricity shut off by qualified utility company personnel before attempting to extinguish fire, rescue a victim, or come in contact with energized electrical equipment. 3.2 ALL electrical wires and equipment shall be considered energized and dangerous. Any victims, vehicles, structures, etc. in contact with electrical equipment should also be considered energized. 3.3 If no life hazard exists, identify/evacuate hazard zone and protect exposures from a safe distance while awaiting utility company arrival. 3.4 If an immediate life hazard exists and utility personnel are not on the scene, a thorough risk assessment should be conducted prior to attempting any rescue. 3.5 When a life hazard exists or a structure is threatened as a result of an electrical emergency, consideration should be given to upgrading the assignment to include a Battalion Chief if not already assigned. 3.6 When dealing with electrical distribution equipment (i.e. transmission lines, transformers, etc.), be aware of reclosers. They are similar to a circuit breaker in that they open the circuit when a fault is detected, but unlike a typical breaker it will reclose the circuit after a predetermined amount of time. It can repeat this cycle several times before it locks itself open. This is one of many reasons not Columbus Division of Fire S.O.P Rev. 02/26/ of 4

4 make contact with a wire because it is nearly impossible for us to determine that the wire is de-energized or that it will stay that way. 3.7 Keep aerial devices and ground ladders a minimum of 10 from all overhead wires. 3.8 CO2 or dry chemical extinguishers should be used for small electrical fires if extinguishment must be performed prior to utility company arrival. 3.9 If, as a last resort, water must be used, it should be delivered in the form of a 30 degree fog pattern with at least 100 psi nozzle pressure from as great a distance as possible. Refer to 3.4 above when making this determination Water should typically only be used in this manner to protect exposures. Be aware of water runoff and keep personnel at a safe distance. Do not attempt to extinguish transformer fires until power is confirmed off by utility company If an apparatus comes in contact with live wires remain in or on apparatus if possible. If necessary, jump from vehicle, feet together, making sure not to touch vehicle and ground at same time. Then shuffle with feet close together to a safe area (approx. 30 feet away) Service wires should only be cut by properly trained personnel using only the approved equipment The cutting of Drip Loops should only be attempted at 1 and 2 family residential structures due to the higher voltages present at multi-family and commercial structures. This procedure shall be performed by CFD Rescue or Ladder personnel in required PPE (turnout gear and lineman s gloves) after all other attempts to control power have failed. (e.g., individual breaker/fuse, main breaker at panel) 3.14 When requesting a utility company, provide all visible information from the pole or equipment to the FAO. Be aware that many poles in Columbus are shared by AEP and Columbus Power. Therefore, it may be necessary for both utility companies to respond When dealing with solar panels, be aware that shutting down power to building/equipment supplied by solar power, the panels themselves remain energized and caution must be used when working around this equipment Be aware that shutting down the main power may trigger backup power sources, such as generators and battery rooms, which could re-energize equipment Electrical PPE and equipment: TAC Sticks- Engines, Ladders and Rescues. Polypropylene Rope- Engines, Ladders and Rescues. Should be stored in a sealed bag and shall be considered a single use life safety rope. (exchange if opened) Lineman s Gloves- Ladders and Rescues. Leather outer with rubber liner shall be stored in sealed bag and shall be tested twice a year scheduled by Tools and Equipment. (exchange if opened) Hot Stick Cable Cutter- Ladders and Rescues. Should be stored in canvas bag and shall be tested every other year scheduled by Tools and Equipment. Columbus Division of Fire S.O.P Rev. 02/26/ of 4

5 Telescoping Hot Stick Hook- Rescues. Should be stored in protective tube or canvas bag and shall be tested every other year scheduled by Tools and Equipment. Electrical Helmet with Flash Protection- Rescues. Dielectric Boot Covers- Rescues. Section 4 Operations 4.1 The following emergency types provide direction for handling specific incidents. The items contained within are not all-inclusive. Many of the items in Section 3 will also be applicable, but not specifically mentioned in each incident type. 4.2 Wires Down Enter scene with caution, performing initial scene size up from apparatus cab Avoid placing personnel or apparatus under wires or equipment Identify/evacuate the hazard zone of all bystanders, personnel and, apparatus (at least one unbroken span between poles on either side of break, preferably on other side of street out from under potentially involved equipment Attempt to determine utility provider. May have to use adjacent pole to avoid hazard Request utility provider and ETA from FAO Utilize TAC Stick to check surrounding area for energized fences, structures, autos, etc Use scene tape and/or flares to mark hazard zone perimeter If available, CPD can be left in charge of scene where CFD resources are no longer needed (e.g. no obvious hazards present) Do not leave a hazardous scene unattended During storm conditions, an alternate approach may be implemented by Emergency Services Deputy Chief dependent on resources available If wires, utility pole, light pole, or illuminated signs are down and in contact with a vehicle and a viable victim is present, have victims remain in vehicle until power is cut off by utility company, if possible. Do not allow personnel to touch victim and/or vehicle that is in contact with energized equipment If immediate lifesaving intervention is required and to be performed, a downed wire on a vehicle, person, structure would be most safely handled by CFD Rescue personnel using a fully extended telescoping hot stick with required PPE (turnout gear, lineman s gloves, boot covers). Refer to 3.4 when making this determination If immediate lifesaving intervention is required and a telescoping hot stick is not available, a polypropylene rope as described in 3.15 may be the safest option. This would be accomplished by first throwing a length of rope UNDER THE WIRE to a second FF on the opposite side. The second FF then tosses the rope back over the top of wire to first FF who then pulls both ends of rope to Columbus Division of Fire S.O.P Rev. 02/26/ of 4

6 move wire off of vehicle, victim, or structure. Place as much distance as possible between yourself and the wire when moving it. Any member involved in this procedure shall be in full turnout gear with Lineman s Gloves. Refer to 3.4 when making this determination. 4.3 Pole Fire/Pole Transformer Fire Identify/evacuate the hazard zone of all bystanders, personnel and apparatus (2 poles away from affected pole) Extinguishment efforts should be avoided until utility company confirms power is off. However, having a charged hose line available as exposure protection from a safe distance should be the primary focus Be aware of the possibility of a transformer fire causing an overcurrent situation to the area or an explosion that could affect exposures. 4.4 Substation Fire Set up upwind and uphill; establish a safe perimeter, protect exposures Do not enter or discharge extinguishing agents into substation. Equipment is high voltage and extremely hazardous After approval from utility company to enter is obtained, extinguishment can take place with the minimum personnel and equipment necessary to safely perform job Much of this equipment contains large amounts of oil for cooling, a Class B foam may be appropriate for extinguishment. Even though most equipment with oil containing PCB s has been removed from service, ALL oil should be presumed contaminated with PCB s until proven otherwise. 4.5 Underground Vault/Vault Room Fire Approach from and set up upwind and uphill, establish a safe perimeter, protect exposures and consult utility company Life safety rescue should not be attempted Stay clear of vault covers, metal grating and manholes Request electric company. Specify to FAO that a vault is involved Check adjacent exposures for involvement (vapors, fire, smoke, CO) and evacuate as necessary These emergencies shall be considered confined space incidents and shall be handled as if they are oxygen deficient or explosive atmospheres Do not enter or attempt extinguishment until go ahead is given from utility company If go ahead is given by utility company to flow water, the preferable method is laying an open butt 3 line near the opening. Then securing it by tying off or laying a heavy object over the hose and finally removing all personnel from line before slowly opening discharge and allowing water to flow into and flood the area. Columbus Division of Fire S.O.P Rev. 02/26/ of 4