Utilities Safety

FIRE DEPARTMENT INITIAL

OPERATIONS
 Utilities Safety

TERMINAL OBJECTIVE
The Firefighter shall correctly identify
and describe in writing the steps and
hazards involving shutting off various
utilities.
 ENABLING OBJECTIVE #1

The Firefighter shall correctly

demonstrate the procedures for
shutting off various utility
services to a building, and the
hazards associated with each.
 Utilities
(Types)

Electrical Residential, Commercial, Industrial

Gas Propane, Natural Gas, Fuel Oil

Water Domestic Supply, On site Well

 Utilities
(Considerations)
Residential, Commercial, Industrial
On site, or transmission

Electrical supply
From transmission lines, Generator, or solar cells, wind
turbine, etc.

Propane, Natural Gas, Fuel Oil

Fuel, on site storage or piped in.

Water
From domestic supply or on site well.
Things may not
be what they
seem!
Look for Meter Location
It could be the Problem
 Just because the meter is
missing does not mean there is
no power to the structure!!!!

Where are these kept on

our Apparatus?
 Electric Meter Puller

This is what happens when pulling a meter

throws an arch, creating an extreme arch flash
producing up to 10,000 ⁰F.
Natural Gas
Propane
Standard Tank LP Tank Sizes
Propane Underground
Propane Filling Stations
 On Site Water
From domestic supply or on site well
On Site Water
Controlling
Utilities
 Controlling Utilities

The safest methods for firefighters to

disconnect the electrical service from a
building.
– If possible, shut off the main breakers at
the electrical service box or panel.
– Do not cut outside wires or pull
electrical meters.
 Controlling Utilities
Reasons firefighters should not cut
outside wires or pull electrical meters.
– Extreme electrical hazards exist if
improper equipment is used when cutting
drop wires to a building.
– Sometimes pulling a meter may not even
stop the flow of electricity to the building;
3 Phase Systems are typical in
Commercial and Industrial locations
 Controlling Utilities
Policies governing electrical emergencies
should cover:
– Notify power company personnel as soon as there is an
electrical hazard.
– Let power company personnel handle energized
electrical equipment if possible.
• The exception to this policy is when a life is in
immediate danger, a rescue must be performed and
the rescuer has the proper knowledge and equipment.

• This equipment must be certified to be dielectric by

an approved testing agency, and the firefighter must
be thoroughly trained in its use.
 Controlling Utilities
Policies governing electrical
emergencies should cover:
– Do not use solid or straight hose streams when a
possible electrical hazard exists.
– Let pole top or cross arm fires burn until utility
personnel shut down the power unless part of the
pole or cross arm is in danger of falling.
• In this case, a fire extinguisher rated for Class C
fires may be used to extinguish the fire.
• A firefighter may have to use a fire department
aerial device to reach the fire.
 Controlling Utilities
Policies governing electrical
emergencies should cover:
 Exercise extreme caution when using all ladders
around electrical hazards.
 When possible, avoid parking apparatus under
overhead wires.
 OSHA 29 CFR 1926.550 states that aerial devices
or ground ladders shall be kept a minimum of 10
feet from lines rated 50 KV or lower. For lines over
50 KV, the minimum clearance shall be 10 feet plus
0.4 inches for each 1 KV over 50KV, or use twice
the length of line insulator but never less than 10
feet.
 Controlling Utilities
Policies governing electrical
emergencies should cover:
– Let only power company personnel cut electrical
wire.
– Treat all wires as “live” high-voltage wires.
– Establish a danger zone of at least one span in
Electrical Resistance Differential
either direction from downed power wires.
can kill!

Wear full protective clothing when

electrical hazards exist.
SERVES as OSHA FR PROTECTION
 Controlling Utilities
Substation Fires
Transformer oil is the generic name given to the oil
used to insulate and cool transformers.
Dielectric fluid, a mineral oil, is used to cool and insulate underground
NoteThis
transmission feeders. the Deluge Sprinklers biphenyl (PCB) oil
nonpolychlorinated
resembles cooking around
oil and the
hastransformer,
a flash point of 350°F and an autoignition
temperature of 795°F. 

Note that electrical arcs can produce temperatures up to 7,000°F to

10,000°F and can easily ignite oils used for insulation or cooling.
Distribution substation
transformers contain between
15,000 and 25,000 gallons of
oil, whereas transmission
station transformers contain
35,000 to 45,000 gallons.
 Initial Actions (1)
When called to a substation, do not force entry. Instead,
survey the substation from the exterior. Entering and
moving around in a substation unescorted exposes you to
the extreme electrical hazards present. Here are some
guidelines that will help keep you safe at substation
incidents.
Wait for the utility representative
Some substations are staffed 24/7; others are not. If there
is a fire or an emergency at a staffed substation, a utility
Do not touch the metal fence or
representative should come out to meet you. If the utility
representative does not come out to meet first-due
gate around the substation
companies in a reasonable time, he may be actively
engaged in mitigating the emergency and hazards, he may
be injured, or the site may be unoccupied at the time of the
incident and the representative may be en route from a
neighboring station.
 Initial Actions (2)
A Utility Representative Is Not Present
 Protect exposures outside of the substation, do not direct water into
the substation without first consulting with the utility representative. If a
substation fire is exposing residential or commercial neighbors, set up lines
or large-caliber streams for exposure protection. It is safe to put water on
the threatened exposures.

 Do not apply water directly on electrical equipment inside the

substation without first consulting the representative. He will tell you what
is energized and where you can safely apply water. For a fire inside the
substation, you must decide which extinguishing agent is safe, where to
position the apparatus, and the safe standoff distance for applying the
stream. Once again, the utility representative’s expertise will be invaluable.

 Prepare to supply the sprinkler system. Substations have a deluge

sprinkler system, but coverage is typically limited to the transformers. The
sprinkler system has its own water supply, which may be augmented by an
external siamese connection. If there is a water main break or if a fire pump
fails, the utility may ask that you augment its system. Be guided by your
utility representative’s advice as to whether to supply the siamese and at
what pressure.
 OVERALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The basic rules for enforcing electrical safety at
substation incidents are simple and as follows:
1. There is no safe action you can take inside the
substation until a qualified representative arrives. Wait
for him, and confer with him.
2. Observe and respect the posted warning signs.
3. Don’t climb, and you will maintain the necessary
clearance from the overhead conductors—in other
words, stay on the ground, and you’ll stay safe.
4. Avoid bringing metal or partially metal tools into the
substation, and do not carry tools projecting over your
shoulder. Carry all tools below the shoulder so that you
do not reduce the allotted safe clearance distances.
Note: Even a wooden or fiberglass hook can conduct
the high voltages found in substations.
 OVERALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

5. Even raising ladders outside the substation may not be

safe. If you are considering raising aerial ladders or
tower ladder buckets outside of a substation, you must
still maintain the safe clearance horizontally from the
substation’s exterior fence line. High-voltage electrical
equipment may be just inside a fence or a wall. Placing a
ladder against or an aerial platform near or over that
fence or wall can violate the safe standoff distance,
putting firefighters in danger of electrocution. It is best
to leave the aerial devices bedded until after
consultation with the utility representative.
 OVERALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
6. Only the incident commander should give the order to
put water onto or near electrical equipment inside of a
substation, and this should only be done after
consultation with the utility representative. When
considering hose or large-caliber stream operations, you
must consider the path that the water takes from the
hose or appliance to the fire. Is there any live electrical
equipment in the path or alongside of it? If your stream
can contact it, measure your safe distance from that
point.
7. Always operate as if PCBs or other contaminants are
present in the smoke, oil, and water runoff; decon as a
precaution.
8. Consult with the utility representative on the hazards
and safety of proposed tactics.
 Controlling Utilities
Natural Gas
Positioning of the petcock on natural
gas meters.
– Petcock is closed when perpendicular
to the pipe.
– A spanner wrench may be used to close
most natural gas petcocks.

Utilities that are shut off because of

fire operations, should not be restored
by the firefighters due to liability.
 Controlling Utilities
Propane
Positioning of the tank valve on
propane tanks and cylinders.
– Valve is closed by turning clockwise.
– A pair of vice grip pliers may be needed
if the valve handle is missing.

Gas Utilities that have been shut off

need to be checked again with the CGI
to ensure there is no further leakage.
 Controlling Utilities
Water
Locate the property water meter
 Lift the cover from the meter
– A Slot Screwdriver can be used to open
and lift the meter cover, also if the valve is
stiff the screwdriver can be used to apply
leverage
– An Adjustable wrench or pair of vice grip
pliers may will be needed to turn the valve.
– Valve is closed by turning clockwise.
– Check meter to determine that all water flow
has stopped
– Place cover back on the meter box
 On Site Water
Water Cutoff
 SUMMARY
Utilities are necessary for comfort and
convenience in our day to day lives;
however, they can prove to be hazardous
when involved in an incident. Never
assume that a utility is safe, always be
sure to exercise extreme caution when
working with any type of utility. In most
cases, we will be better off with the
utilities off!