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Electric utility control during structural firefighting |
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Structure fires involve a risk of power line contact for firefighters as well as occupants of a structure. Coordinating with PPL Electric Utilities and following the tips below can help decrease this risk. |
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Coordinate with PPL Electric Utilities |
Structural firefighting operations place firefighters in direct proximity to electric power lines that may be compromised by fire conditions or by the fire suppression effort itself. These lines may pose hazards to a structure's occupants as well as to you and your team. |
When responding to a structure fire, remember that utility personnel are the experts in utility control. PPL Electric Utilities should be asked to respond to every structure fire. Once on the scene, the utility representative should be incorporated into the command structure. |
Protect yourself and building occupants |
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Identify the location of power lines, service drop wires and electrical panels during your 360-degree size-up. |
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During operations, continuously communicate the status of electric service to operating crews and your dispatch center, to make everyone aware of what is live and what is de-energized. |
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Work with PPL Electric Utilities personnel to coordinate the safe control of electric utilities. Communicate and document what you want turned off for safe fire suppression. |
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Be aware that fire conditions may cause energized power lines to sag or disconnect from their structure and drop to the ground. |
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Even after the electricity has been shut off, a backup generator may be in place and begin to operate. Treat all wires outside the structure as potentially energized and stay away until a PPL Electric Utilities representative informs you the lines are out and grounded. |
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When water must be used to protect exposures, use a modified hose stream of 30-degree fog at 100 psi. Direct the stream away from energized lines and other energized objects. |
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Ensure that all personnel, ladders and aerial equipment remain at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines. Remember that higher voltages require greater distances. |
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Coordinate with PPL Electric Utilities after the incident to restore electric service. |
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What NOT to do |
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Do NOT use a solid stream of water to protect exposures around energized power lines or equipment. |
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Do NOT stand on the ground when operating aerial equipment in the vicinity of power lines. |
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Do NOT cut electric lines, even if you believe that they have been de-energized. |
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Do NOT move downed electric wires. |
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Do NOT disconnect the service wiring on a structure. |
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Do NOT pull the electrical meter out of the meter socket. |
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Do NOT enter utility vehicles, enclosures, or switching cabinets. |
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Do NOT enter a PPL Electric Utilities substation unless directed to do so by a utility representative. Do not spray water or foam inside a substation. |
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Do NOT park firefighting apparatus underneath power lines, which could fall to the ground due to the fire. |
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Would you like to know more? |
Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and safety education tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on PPL Electric Utilities' e-SMARTresponders website. |
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In an electrical emergency, call PPL Electric Utilities at 1-800-342-5775 (1-800-DIAL-PPL). |
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