Electricity

Question 1

What is classed as high voltage?

Answer 1

Low voltage- 50v and 1000v (AC)

High voltage- greater than 1000v (AC)

Question 2

What are the main hazards and risks to firefighters face with electric shocks?

Answer 2

• Directly touching a live conductor.
• Indirect contact by touching a conductor that is in contact with a live supply.
• Bringing equipment into contact with a live conductor, for example, ladders with overhead cables.
• Using extinguishing media that conducts electricity (water and foam)
• Ionisation of smoke, conducting electricity.
• Getting too close to high voltages.

Question 3

What voltage do electrical gloves protect you up to?

Answer 3

The rubber gloves carried on front line appliances offer hand protection for voltages up to 3,300 v

Question 4

What are the safe distances for;
Ground monitor-
Working with a hand held branch-
Using an ALP-
Using an ALP in training-
For a rescue-

Answer 4

What are the safe distances for;
Ground monitor- 30m
Working with a hand held branch- 20m
Using an ALP- 10m
Using an ALP in training-20m
For a rescue- 5 metres

Question 5

Incident procedures. Operational staff should;

Answer 5

• Cover surrounding risks
• Consider further explosions could occur until equipment is safe.
• Do not lift inspection covers, raise paving stones or interfere with any equipment or apparatus.
• Fire in cable duct must usually be allowed to burn itself out after the current as been switched off.

Question 6

What are the hazards associated with solar panels? Name 4

Answer 6

The risk of electrocution
Hazardous chemicals
Weight of solar panels could collapse roof.
Falling objects from parts of solar panel

Question 7

What hazards are associated with incidents involving electricity?

Answer 7

Electric shock
Fire
Explosion- violent arcing of electricity 
Hazardous gases or liquids
Trip hazards
Insulating material
- pvc- may produce hydrogen-chloride Gas
- polychlorinated biphenyl(pcb's)
-Sulphur hexafluoride (sf6) an asphyxiated
-

Question 8

If waiting for a responsible person to attend an incident what could crews look to do?

Answer 8

4.13- crews should focus their efforts on protecting surrounding risks