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BY FRANK C. MONTAGNA AND ANTHONY J. NATALE If you look, you will probably find that you have an electric substation in your response area. Have you responded to it? Have you entered it? Do you know the dangers that are waiting for you inside the substations gates? If you were to 846would you be able to operate safely to extinguish the fire or mitigate the respond to it for a fire or another emergency, emergency? These are questions that you should answer before your first response to an electric substation.
SUBSTATION OVERVIEW
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Electricity is produced at generating stations and routed to electric substations for distribution. There are two types of substationstransmission and distribution. Both act as transportation hubs for power. The differences between a transmission and a distribution substation are the voltage present and the destination of the electricity.
(1) The overhead electric bus carries high voltage on its exterior surface. (Photos used with permission of Consolidated Edison.)
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Legacy of Retired Air Force Fire Chief (2) Capacitor banks are in cages that provide a buffer zone between the responder and the exposed electrical conductors. Amphibious All Terrain Fire Apparatus
Chemical Hazards
The typical chemicals found in substations include dielectric fluid, transformer oil, Edisol XT, sulfuric acid, and sulfur hexafluoride. All but sulfuric acid serve to insulate and cool the electrical conductors. Dielectric fluid, a mineral oil, is used to cool and insulate underground transmission feeders. This nonpolychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) oil resembles cooking oil and has a flash point of 350F and an autoignition temperature of 795F. Note that electrical arcs can produce temperatures up to 7,000F to 10,000F and can easily ignite oils used for insulation or cooling. Transformer oil is the generic name given to the oil used to insulate and cool transformers. Its flash point is approximately 300F. Historically, this is where PCBs have been found. Over the years, utility companies have successfully worked to remove the carcinogenic PCBs from their system through a process called retrofilling. This is somewhat similar to changing the antifreeze in a car: The old product is drained, and the new product is put in. Unfortunately, there are certain oil-filled components that cannot be retrofilled and have no sampling ports. Their PCB content is unknown. As a result, when we respond to fires or other emergency conditions, we should assume the oil is contaminated with PCBs until sampling proves otherwise. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against potential dermal and respiratory exposure to PCBs. MORE TECH ZONE >
(3) Battery rooms contain lead acid batteries. Test leaking oil or oil involved in fire to determine if it is contaminated with PCBs. Representative samples can be obtained once the area is made safe. In most cases, test results will not be available until well after companies have taken up from the scene. Anyone contaminated by the smoke and liquid should, as a precaution, decon prior to leaving the location to avoid spreading contaminants to the apparatus, the firehouse, or their homes. Edisol XT is a viscous insulating oil used in capacitor banks. It is nonPCB oil and has a flash point of 284F. Material safety data sheet (MSDS) information indicates that dermal exposure results in skin irritation, consistent with most petroleum exposures. Note that older capacitor cans may contain PCBs. Sulfuric acid is contained in the lead/acid batteries used in the backup power source for the facility. Substations typically have two battery rooms, each containing 30 to 40 car-type batteries. Each battery holds five to 10 gallons of acid with a 30- to 40-percent concentration. Exposure to sulfuric acid under normal conditions presents a dermal hazard, but more significant issues arise when the product is exposed to heat. Sulfuric acid mist can produce serious, if not fatal, injuries to responders who fail to protect against respiratory exposure.
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(4) Take note of posted warning signs.
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0 used by the fire service have shown false CO readings in battery rooms. Note that the carbon monoxide (CO) detectors The sensors in these units are cross-sensitive to the hydrogen released when the batteries charge. In one case, personal monitoring devices indicated 50 parts per Twitter million (ppm) of carbon monoxide in a substations battery room. Additional testing revealed that it was actually hydrogen with a concentration of 1,500 ppm. (The lower explosive limit for hydrogen is 30,000 ppm.) 0
Sulfur hexafluoride gas is used toLinkedIn insulate and extinguish arcs in circuit breakers and other electrical components. Under normal conditions, it is an odorless and colorless gas that is five times heavier than air and presents an asphyxiation hazard in below-grade confined spaces. If exposed to high heat, thermal decomposition of the product produces two hazardous by-products, hydrogen fluoride gas and metal fluorides. Hydrogen fluoride gas (HF) gives off a rotten egg smell and is a desensitizer. Continued exposure to it may make it seem as if it has dissipated. It is also a respiratory hazard that when mixed with water, say, in your lungs, produces hydrofluoric acid. Metal fluoride, a white talcum powder-like substance, is a dermal hazard, and exposure to it produces a sunburn846 type effect on the skin. In addition, the ions in fluoride are calcium scavengers; they will eat through the skin and aggressively attack the bones. It also leaches calcium from your system and can trigger a heart attack. The key to Share successful treatment is early recognition of the symptoms of exposure and obtaining medical attention in a timely manner. MSDS information recommends flushing with copious amounts of water and using calcium gluconate, a gel that impedes the effects of the process.
RESPONSE TACTICS
Because of the hazardous environment found in substations, firefighters must resist their natural tendency toward aggressive tactics. These incidents require specialized knowledge, close control of operating personnel, and a heightened sense of caution. The first responding officers must closely supervise their firefighters to ensure their safety. All firefighters operating at the scene must be aware of the potential dangers and act to safeguard themselves from those dangers. When you respond to incidents at these sites, your utility should provide you with a representative with the specialized knowledge that will enable you to safely operate at a substation incident.
(5) The depth of these underground feeders varies based on geological conditions of soil and rock. The general range is from 24 inches to 72 inches.
Initial Actions
When called to a substation, do not force entry. Instead, survey the substation from the exterior. Entering and moving around in a substation unescorted exposes you to the hazards mentioned above. Here are some guidelines that will help keep you safe at substation incidents. Wait for the utility representative.Some substations are staffed 24/7; others are not. If there is a fire or an emergency at a staffed substation, a utility representative should come out to meet you. If the utility representative does not come out to meet first-due companies in a reasonable time, he may be actively engaged in mitigating the emergency and hazards, he may be injured, or the site may be unoccupied at the time of the incident and the representative may be en route from a neighboring station.
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(6) Distribution substation Facebook transformers contain between 15,000 and 25,000 gallons of oil, whereas transmission station transformers contain 35,000 to 45,000 gallons.
If a utility representative is not present, call your local utility. If a number is not posted on a sign on the exterior of the gate, Twitter your dispatcher should have a master list of such locations and be able to contact the utility. Since utilities routinely electronically monitor these facilities for problems, it is likely that a representative already will be on the way by the time 0 you arrive and call. Protect exposures outside of the substation, but do not direct water into the substation without first consulting with the utility representative. If a substation fire is exposing residential or commercial neighbors, set up lines or large-caliber streams for exposure protection. It is safe to put water on the threatened exposures. Do not apply water directly on electrical equipment inside the substation without first consulting the representative. He will tell you what is energized and where you can safely apply water. For a fire inside the substation, you must decide which extinguishing agent is safe, where to position the apparatus, and the safe standoff distance for applying the 846 stream. Once again, the utility representatives expertise will be invaluable. Prepare to supply the sprinkler system.Substations have a deluge sprinkler system, but coverage is typically limited to the transformers. The sprinkler system has its own water supply, which may be augmented by an external Share siamese connection. If there is a water main break or if a fire pump fails, the utility may ask that you augment its system. Be guided by your utility representatives advice as to whether to supply the siamese and at what pressure.
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Substations pose serious safety risks to firefighters. However, you can work more safely and efficiently when mitigating these incidents by following the above safety rules and working in a partnership of safety with your utility representative.
Endnote
1. Romex is a brand of nonmetallic building wire made by Southwire.
http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-163/issue-11/features/electric-s... 11-09-2013
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FRANK C. MONTAGNA is a 40-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York, where he has been a chief officer for the past 23 years. He is assigned to FDNYs Bureau of Training and is responsible for curriculum and officer development. He has a degree in fire science from John Jay College, where he teaches a course based on his book Responding to Routine Emergencies (Fire Engineering, 1999), is a member of Fire Engineerings editorial advisory board, and has had numerous articles published in Fire Engineering and WNYF. ANTHONY J. NATALE, a senior specialist, is a 10-year veteran of Con Edison, assigned to the Emergency Response Group. He teaches utility safety to Fire Department of New York probationary firefighters, battalion chiefs, captains, lieutenants, and members of the hazmat and rescue units. He also teaches utility response safety at the New York City Police Academy and to other police and fire departments in the state. More Fire Engineering Issue Articles Fire Engineering Archives
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http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-163/issue-11/features/electric-s... 11-09-2013