AUC 180 MANHOLE FIRES Flashcards
10-25 code 2
Fire has blown one or more manhole covers or smoke is issuing from a manhole UNDER PRESSURE
10-25 code 1
Fire has extended from manhole, conduit or transformer INTO a building
10-25 code 3
Smoke is seeping from a manhole
10-25 code 4
Fire or smoke condition from a TRANSFORMER at any location
Ex: pole, vault, room
Utility company will dispatch an emergency crew immediately upon receipt of what signals
Code 1
Code 4
10-25 no code
Situations other than described in codes 1-4
If an odor of gas is encountered at a manhole/transformer incident the dispatcher
Must be notified to request immediate response of the utilities gas crew in addition to the electric crew.
Downed overhead PRIMARY and SECONDARY wires have the potential to
Damage underground gas piping. All gas piping, plastic, steel, cast iron and copper, can be impacted by burning, arching or smoldering electric cables
The area shall be cordoned off to
- Vehicular and pedestrian traffic
- Apparatus in safe area
- Area taped off for danger to civilians and FD personnel
Inspect electrical service in
- Surrounding buildings
- Units should have CO detectors
- Check for extension
Members shall not attempt to
Move vehicles located in the danger area
Hose line operations
- Precautionary line stretched
- Do not operate into manhole unless Con Ed requests at scene
- If requested let water flow or pour into manhole
- Do not operate stream directly into manhole
- Use a fog nozzle to prevent or reduce shock hazard
When operations are within the capability of a single unit the OIC may
Leave one unit, preferably an engine company, to await the arrival
of the emergency crew.
If the expected time of arrival of the emergency crew is more than 30 minutes the OIC may order one of the following
- Unit remaining on scene can respond to assigned alarms and leave one member at the scene
- One member left at the scene and the company returns to quarters, company officers shall provide relief of members
- When a member is left at the scene the company officer at frequent intervals contact the dispatcher for re-notification of the utility company
- The manhole shall be protected by cones and tape and all units shall be placed in service
During periods of multiple incidents within an area, the following actions may be authorized by the Deputy Chief in charge
- A member of the unit shall be left at the scene of each incident
- The officer and the chauffeur shall remain with the apparatus to perform surveillance of the incident locations
- Battalion Chiefs shall provide for necessary relief of units or members
- Deputy Chiefs may authorize the use of messenger vans and spare cars for travel and shelter of members at incident locations
Members are reminded that explosions in manholes are
Not uncommon
Members should not pull covers off
Electrical manholes at manhole fires or if a manhole fire is in the area. It is the responsibility of utility crews to open manhole covers at these incidents. Pulling covers may cause an explosion by mixing air with gaseous products of combustion in the presence of an ignition source.
THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE DEPT POLICY OF PULLING ELECTRIC MANHOLE COVERS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AT GAS EMERGENCIES
Explosions can take place after
Considerable time has elapsed and when the conditions in the manhole appear dormant. When a cover blows do not run. Keep your eyes on the cover so you can approximate where it lands
When operating at manhole emergencies the location of
Traffic control boxes must be taken into consideration when deciding the size and location of the “AREA OF DANGER”. The smoke and gases from a manhole incident can travel up the hollow pole of a nearby light stanchion and at times accumulate with considerable pressure. The gaseous mixture may be ignited by a spark inside the control box.
Hose lines stretched into the street to prevent involvement of adjacent properties should be positioned at a
Point beyond the predictable limits of fire or explosion damage
Where conditions indicate the electrical lines in a building are becoming hot,
Hose lines shall be stretched and a thorough examination made
Fire Department representation at the scene shall continue until
All dangerous conditions are alleviated or until informed by the utility company emergency crew at the scene that the Fire Department presence is no longer required. Information for the required reports shall be obtained from the utility company personnel at the scene
Transformer vaults come in various sizes but a typical vault is approximately
12 x 4
These vaults are installed either in the street or the sidewalk
Transformers convert
Primary voltage - 27,000 volts - to secondary voltage -
120 volts - for use by Con Ed customers. Either of these voltages can cause fatal injuries if not handled properly. Some vaults contain submersible equipment, meaning that they will function properly even if the vault is filled with water. Other vaults contain non-submersible equipment and must have a sump pump installed to prevent flooding
