Manholes/Fires and Emergencies-AUC 180

Question 1

Manhole or Transformer emergency…Code 1 and Code 4?

Answer 1

UTILITY COMPANY will dispatch emergency crew upon receipt of Code 1 and Code 4

Code 1: FIRE extended from a manhole, conduit, transformer into a building

Code 4: Fire or SMOKE condition from a transformer at any location, pole, vault , room.etc.

Code 2: fire blown 1 or more covers, or smoke is issuing under pressure

Code 3: smoke is seeping from manhole

Question 2

If an odor of natural gas is encountered at manhole incident..notify?

Answer 2

GAS UTILITY, in addition to electric

Question 3

Area taped off, marks danger area for?

Answer 3

civilians and FD PERSONNEL

Question 4

Inspect electrical services in surrounding buildings, units should use ?

Answer 4

CO METERS

Question 5

Members shall NOT ATTEMPT to move vehicles located in DANGER AREA…

Answer 5

• units should not operate hoselines into manholes unless requested by Con ED employee at the scene…
• if requested , let water flow or pour in- FOG NOZZLE

Question 6

Officer in charge shall request ?

Answer 6

UTILITY COMPANY to respond and ETA

Question 7

ETA more than 30 minutes…Officer in charge may..?

Answer 7

1. unit remains and responds to alarms- one member is left at scene
2. one member left, unit returns to quarters- company officer provides relief- company officer shall contact dispatch at frequent intervals to re-notify utility company
3. manhole taped off/cones- unit back in service

Question 8

Members shall NOT pull covers off electrical manholes at manhole fires or if a manhole fire is in the area…

Answer 8

this does NOT change policy of pulling electric manholes covers at GAS emergencies

Question 9

When cover blows?

Answer 9

• DO NOT RUN
• keep eyes on cover and see where it might land

serious explosion can occur in adjacent manholes

Question 10

Conditions indicate electrical lines in a building are becoming hot, hose lines shall be stretched and a thorough examination made…

Answer 10

FD ops shall continue until all dangerous conditions are alleviated or UTILITY COMPANy informs FD that they are no longer needed

Question 11

Underground transformer Vaults?

Answer 11

• use all PPE AND SCBA, even in light smoke conditions
• primary voltage (27,000) or secondary voltage (120 Volts) can cause FATAL INJURY

NOT necessary for members to closely examine these vaults ,
REMBER dangers and explosion could occur.

Question 12

Con Ed still has PCB contaminated transformers in use (50-499 PPM of PCB) and some with dielectric oil are not considered PCB (0-49 PPM of PCB)…however…?

Answer 12

FD considers a transformer with ANY AMOUNT OF PCB’S a PCB TRANSFORMER

Question 13

Greatest Hazard is…?

Answer 13

AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY contained in these vaults

-other hazards PCBs/ asbestos/ explosion /high concentration of CO and other gases

Question 14

Safety and Operations..(transformer vault)

Answer 14

• precautionary handline-prepared for Foam OP
• examine surrounding exposures for extension of fire/and or gases (main service usually in cellar/basement)- TEAMS OF 2- CO METERS-readings taken in METER ROOM, surrounding rooms, and first floor, if necessary…HIGH LEVELS OF CO can be found in exposures…re-examine on periodic basis
• monitor and wait for Con ED
• primary consideration is safety of members and civilians