Electrical Incidents

Scope

This Operational Guideline considers procedures relating to electrical incidents including fires and accidents involving electrical equipment and/or electrocution.

Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.

Guiding Principles

Approach

• Always look out for electrical hazards. Check for wires before positioning the vehicle and approaching the incident.
• If power distribution equipment (including powerlines, kiosks, substations, transformers) is involved, call for electricity authority emergency personnel. Personnel should remain at least 8 metres away from electrical hazards.
• If electrical equipment is involved in fire, remain upwind and uphill, and well clear.

Rescue

• Person in contact with live conductor – ensure power is isolated before rescue. If voltage is less than 650 volts, person may be dragged clear using insulating materials, but their skin must not be touched until clear of power.
• Wires down on vehicle – have occupants drive clear if possible. If not, they should remain in vehicle until power is isolated. If vehicle on fire, occupants may jump clear as a last resort, but must not touch vehicle and ground at same time and must jump, hop, or shuffle until well clear.
• Person inside sub-station enclosure – call them to the fence, have them sit and avoid any electrical equipment, then wait until the electrical authority arrives.

Suppression

• Small electrical fire – if safe, turn off power and use appropriate extinguisher (not water, wet chemical, or foam).
• Large electrical fire – get assistance and advice from electrical authority - beware of possible hazardous materials.
• Use water only with special precautions (voltage known, fresh water used, sufficient distance, water fog used, indirect application, insulated surface).

Overhaul

• Ensure power remains isolated during overhaul, e.g., safety lock and “danger” tag switches or retain removed fuses.

Other Operations

• Turning off power to buildings by firefighters must only be done at domestic switchboards.

Special Considerations

Hazards and Precautions

• Hazards may include ladders touching power lines, fallen or exposed powerlines or wiring, accidents involving electrical installations, electric shock, conduction through metal structures, hose streams or damp equipment, arcing of high voltages to earth through smoke/flame, step potential, and hazardous materials in electrical components.
• For incidents involving Electric Vehicles (EV), Solar Panels and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), refer to links via Related Information.
• Precautions may include to:
  • Look up and around for electrical hazards;
  • Isolate electrical power;
  • Use care when using ladders, hose streams, and electric lights/tools;
  • Avoid potential wire collapse areas and remain well clear of fallen wires; and
  • Restrict access to the area with the use of physical barriers.
• If a danger to the crew is identified, those in danger are to be warned immediately and the Officer in Charge (OIC) notified. Upon observing or being advised of danger to the crew, the OIC is to:
  • Activate emergency signals to warn everyone who may be in immediate danger. This may consist of repeated whistle blasts, intermittent blasts of siren, tugging on hose lines, and/or emergency radio message;
  • Advise crew of what action to take; and
  • Update FireCom of crew status, location, and condition.
• Upon hearing an emergency signal, crew members are to evacuate the area of operations and report to their appliance.

Related Information

• Electrical Safety for Emergency Services – Video
• OP 1.2.22 - Photovoltaic Arrays
• RFS OPG - Electric Vehicle Incidents