AUC 338 APPLICATION OF WATER STREAMS ON ENERGIZED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Question 1

You are the Lt of L13 and have just arrived first due at a coned facility. You see fire issuing from the electrical equipment and order the TL to set up and use the Akron Turbomaster Nozzle set up for a fog pattern of 30 degrees. Was this Correct?

Answer 1

NO!!
This decision can ONLY be made by a
Chief Officer above the rank of Deputy Chief (or a Deputy Chief operating as Car 421 or
Car 422) in consultation with the Con Edison White Hat at the scene.
SEC 4.2

Question 2

After the IC decides to Apply water, You as the LT have the men prepare the TL. After all sediment is cleared from hydrant and the TL waterway, the tip is selected, the stang is locked in place, You have the LCC remain at the pedestal to direct water at the electrical Equipment. Are these steps correct ?

Answer 2

NO!!
Once determined, all members are removed from the basket and the basket is then raised to operating position. All members are then
removed from the apparatus. The stream will then be applied to the target area
SEC 5.4.5

Question 3

The Aquastream Master Stream Nozzle carried by all Aerial Ladder and Engine
Companies is factory pre-set to a fog stream pattern of 130 degrees. Is this a good choice for electrical equipment at a con ed facility ?

Answer 3

NO!!
This nozzle shall not
be used because it does not provide enough stream penetration to allow for maintaining
safe operating distances
SEC 5.5

Question 4

The following are the minimum safe operating distances for applying water on energized
or de-energized electrical components: 345kv ?

Answer 4

• 25 feet on live 345 kV electrical components for 30° or greater fog streams.

• 125 feet on live 345 kV electrical components for all straight or solid streams
and streams less than 30° fog.

Question 5

The following are the minimum safe operating distances for applying water on energized
or de-energized electrical components: 138kv ?

Answer 5

• 15 feet on live 138 kV electrical components for 30° or greater fog streams.

• 75 feet on live 138 kV electrical components for all straight or solid streams and
streams less than 30° fog.

Question 6

When extinguishing an electrical fire at a con Ed facilities a handline with a 30 degree fog nozzle or better is the preferred method of extinguishment ?

True or false ?

Answer 6

False

Hand lines shall never be used on energized electrical components at Con Edison facilities

AUC 338 Sec 2.1

Question 7

All FDNY equipment inside the Con Ed property line is to be connected to the facility’s station ground grid prior to applying water. FDNY members should hook up these grounding cables to equipment.

True or False

Answer 7

False

Con Ed personal shall connect the grounding cable to the facility’s station grid to FDNY equipment

AUC 338 Sec 5.6.1

Question 8

What type of water is to be used on energized electrical equipment inside a Con Ed facility?

Answer 8

Only fresh water shall be used for applying water streams on live electrical components. Salt water shall never be used

AUC 338 Sec 7.3

Question 9

Foam and other such additives can and should be used on energized electrical equipment in Con Ed Facilities?

Answer 9

No additives including any type of foam shall be used. Additives increase the electrical conductivity of the water.

AUC 338 Sec 7.6

Question 10

Fire in a Con Ed Facility…… After investigation it is determined the fire is in a capacitor bank, what is the main hazard with this fire?

Answer 10

Electrocution….. Even after power has been removed capacitors retain a potentially deadly electrical charge in their exposed electrical contacts

AUC 338 ADD 2 Sec 2.3

Question 11

When units are responding into an incident at a Con Ed facility where should they respond to? At this location what will be located there?

Answer 11

Units should respond to the designated muster site. At this location will be the FD lockbox which will contain PCB info, overhead photo, a site diagram, and a list of hazards located at the site.

AUC 338 ADD 2 Sec 4.1 4.2

Question 12

Fire in a Con Ed Facility with a Siamese for a sprinkler system what should companies do in regards to hooking up to this Siamese?

Answer 12

A 3 1/2 supply line should be stretched but ** NOT CHARGED ** If requested by Con Ed White hat supply the Siamese with water at the posted pressure. The sprinklers when present will only cover areas where transformers are located.

AUC 338 ADD 2 Sec 5.2

Question 13

If conditions don’t allow for the use of a Tower Ladder, consider the feasibility of using
What ??

Answer 13

1. Engine Apparatus Deck Gun,
2. Ladder pipe on an Aerial Ladder
3. Portable Akron New Yorker Multiversal
   Sec 5.5

Question 14

Exposed Electrical Bus – 3” aluminum bus, looking like metal conduit, runs overhead in
these locations. The bus is mounted a safe distance above the ground. The distance is
determined by the voltage it carries.
Con Ed numbers are what ?

Answer 14

Voltage Safe Distance
345,000V 18 feet
15,000V to 38,000V 10 feet
Add 2 Sec 2.2

Question 15

Meet and consult with the Con Edison White Hat at the muster site. Have White Hat
retrieve information from the Lockbox located inside the substation. Whats in the lock box ?

Answer 15

1. PCB information
2. Overhead photo
3. A site diagram
4. List of the hazards present at the substation.
   ADD 2 Sec 4.2

Question 16

I am a colorless, odorless gas used to insulate and
extinguish arcs in electrical equipment, and I am ** 5 times heavier than air****. In sufficient
quantities, I presents an asphyxiation hazard in confined areas and below grade spaces.
In some stations, they store me in tanks in dedicated storage rooms or outdoors in
banks of cylinders. What am I ?

Answer 16

Sulfur Hexafluoride Gas (SF6)

Add 2 Sec 3.5

Question 17

Thermal decomposition of SF6 gas produces:

1) Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) – What does this smell like ? Prolonged exposure and inhalation can do what ?

Answer 17

This gas has a strong irritating odor similar to rotten
eggs. Prolonged exposure to HF gas will desensitize your sense of smell making
it undetectable.
Inhaling HF gas can result in immediate or delayed onset pulmonary edema
Sec 3.5

Question 18

Thermal decomposition of SF6 gas also produces:

2) Metal Fluoride powder – What color is it and what is the hazard to the members ?

Answer 18

White powder and is extremely corrosive to bare skin.
The initial
sign of exposure would be reddening of the skin. Skin contact and inhalation must be avoided.
Sec 3.5

Question 19

What can be used on a Battery room fire at a con ed substation ? What should not be used ?

Answer 19

5.5 Battery Room Fire – Carbon dioxide should NOT BE used as an extinguishing agent at
these fires. The plastic battery shell may crack when cold CO2 gas is applied to the fire
causing sulfuric acid to spill out and be vaporized by the heat. This creates a respiratory
hazard as the acid in the batteries is very corrosive. Dry chemical extinguishers will
work here as will WATER application from a safe distance.
Sec 5.5

Question 20

 When raising aerial ladders and tower ladder buckets, maintain an 18-foot safe clearance
vertically from the substation’s exterior fence line and do not place portable ladders,
aerial ladders or tower ladder booms or buckets against or over the wall or fence.
Agree or Disagree!!

Answer 20

DISAGREE!!
HORIZONTALLY!!
Add 2 Sec 6

Question 21

There is smoke coming from behind a locked door at a con ed substation. You have your irons force the door. Ya say to urself I am the fucking man i got this!!!….Was this self pat on the shoulder justified ?

Answer 21

HELL NO!!
Do not cut fences or force open locked doors or gates. Inside substations, ground
level electrical hazards are fenced-in or kept behind locked doors and gates
ADD Sec 6

Question 22

 Avoid bringing metal tools into the substation and do not allow any tools to project
above _________ Also, ______ or _______ hooks can conduct high voltages
found in substations.

Answer 22

Your shoulder.
wood or fiberglass
Add 2 Sec 6