Electrical Hazards for Fire and Rescue Departments Part III: Fires Near High Tension Power Lines Captain I Gary C. Dize Health and Safety Division Fairfax County, Virginia

High tension lines are typically located in right-of-ways. High tension lines are typically located in right-of-ways. They can be along railroad track beds, un-buildable tracks of land, or commercial property yards. They can be along railroad track beds, un-buildable tracks of land, or commercial property yards. They can pose a number of problems, such as access, uneven terrain, lack of water supply, and poor visibility due to lighting conditions. They can pose a number of problems, such as access, uneven terrain, lack of water supply, and poor visibility due to lighting conditions. Electrical Hazards Fires Near High Tension Towers:

OSHA requires greater than 10 feet of clearance from lines that are over 50,000 volts. For example, the minimum clearance for a 500,000-volt line is 18 feet. There are no visible markers to identify a power lines voltage, so call the local electric utility for clearance information if you are unsure. OSHA requires greater than 10 feet of clearance from lines that are over 50,000 volts. For example, the minimum clearance for a 500,000-volt line is 18 feet. There are no visible markers to identify a power lines voltage, so call the local electric utility for clearance information if you are unsure. Transmission lines mounted on steel towers normally are 110,000 – 500,000 volts. Transmission lines mounted on steel towers normally are 110,000 – 500,000 volts. Electrical Hazards

Fires Near High Tension Towers: Transmission lines have sensitive breakers, but WILL NOT prevent death or injury from contact. Transmission lines have sensitive breakers, but WILL NOT prevent death or injury from contact. Transmission lines require greater safe working distances than the normal due to higher voltage (example: 500,000 volts = 18 feet). Transmission lines require greater safe working distances than the normal due to higher voltage (example: 500,000 volts = 18 feet). Electrical Hazards

Fires Near High Tension Towers: Transmission lines 500,000 volts and under will sometimes have an electric field near them. The field may cause a static shock to firefighters and large equipment located in the field. Transmission lines 500,000 volts and under will sometimes have an electric field near them. The field may cause a static shock to firefighters and large equipment located in the field. Fires such as: brush, trees, buildings, and auto fires have the potential to weaken the lines and insulators, causing failure of the towers. Fires such as: brush, trees, buildings, and auto fires have the potential to weaken the lines and insulators, causing failure of the towers. Electrical Hazards

Fires Near High Tension Towers: No matter how routine the fire may appear, a plan of action is needed and all crew members need to be advised. No matter how routine the fire may appear, a plan of action is needed and all crew members need to be advised. The plan should include: what is burning, the terrain, life hazards and whether we should we let it burn or put it out. The plan should include: what is burning, the terrain, life hazards and whether we should we let it burn or put it out. Solids streams should never be used; it provides a conductive path for electricity. Solids streams should never be used; it provides a conductive path for electricity. Electrical Hazards

Case Study: Part III Close Call involving High Tension Lines (Please see PDF Handout) Electrical Hazards

Discussion Vehicle positioning on all incidents is critical to the safe operation and crew safety. Sometimes vehicle positioning cannot be placed completely out of the way of danger; however, it is paramount that the crew is aware of the hazards once the vehicle has been positioned. Vehicle positioning on all incidents is critical to the safe operation and crew safety. Sometimes vehicle positioning cannot be placed completely out of the way of danger; however, it is paramount that the crew is aware of the hazards once the vehicle has been positioned. All FRD personnel are reminded to increase safety awareness and to provide a risk analysis when responding to any fire. The decision-making process must start prior to the arrival and a plan to mitigate the incident should be discussed. This includes the level of PPE for the identified hazard. All FRD personnel are reminded to increase safety awareness and to provide a risk analysis when responding to any fire. The decision-making process must start prior to the arrival and a plan to mitigate the incident should be discussed. This includes the level of PPE for the identified hazard.

Discussion All FRD personnel need to maintain situational awareness on all incidents no matter the nature. Also, all members of a crew need to have the same incident action plan and follow the plan to mitigate the situation. Other tools that should have been used would be the Crew Resource Management model and the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, which empowers all personnel to identify any and all hazards and alerts other crew members to the hazard. All FRD personnel need to maintain situational awareness on all incidents no matter the nature. Also, all members of a crew need to have the same incident action plan and follow the plan to mitigate the situation. Other tools that should have been used would be the Crew Resource Management model and the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives, which empowers all personnel to identify any and all hazards and alerts other crew members to the hazard. All FRD personnel are to be reminded that, per the power company, when any equipment comes in contact with an overhead power line, personnel are to stay put and keep others away from the equipment in question until the power company personnel gives the all clear. If imminent danger forces you off of the equipment, jump clear, keeping both feet together without touching the equipment and ground at the same time. All FRD personnel are to be reminded that, per the power company, when any equipment comes in contact with an overhead power line, personnel are to stay put and keep others away from the equipment in question until the power company personnel gives the all clear. If imminent danger forces you off of the equipment, jump clear, keeping both feet together without touching the equipment and ground at the same time.