Transcript UTILITY SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES Introduction • Review with all crew members proper shut down procedures for Natural Gas and Electrical in emergency situations. • Identify.

UTILITY SHUT DOWN
PROCEDURES
Introduction
• Review with all crew members proper shut
down procedures for Natural Gas and
Electrical in emergency situations.
• Identify components that make up meters
and panel boxes.
• Don’t take this for granted as a simple
procedure.
• Encourage crews “to ask for help”, when
unsure of procedures or components
Natural Gas Meters
• Natural Gas travels from a distribution main (not
exceeding 60 psi) to a customer by way of a service line,
riser, meter, pressure reducer (reduction to approx. 1/3
of a pound psi) & related equipment.
• Shut-off valve (stopcock or service cock) is located
before the pressure reducer on the gas inlet piping.
Usually a ¼ turn of the valve will stop the flow of gas.
• Remember gas meters are not aesthetically pleasing to
building owners, so location can be difficult. A ladder
can be a necessity or hedge trimmers!!!
Location! Location! Location???
Multiple Meters
• Multiple meters can
be shut down all at
once at the gas inlet.
• Multiple meters can
be isolated and shut
off individually.
• When in doubt call IC
and shut them all off.
Identify the pressure reducer on this slide.
Locate the shut-off
Trash and Storage
• Know what meters
you’re shutting off.
• There are two
identical meters
behind all the junk in
this picture.
• Don’t take this
responsibility lightly.
When in-doubt ASK
someone!!!!
Electrical Utilities
Eliminating Electrical Service
• 1st option: Depend on the local utility company. However
due to ETA’s and the specific emergency, waiting may
not be a viable option.
• 2nd option: Shut off the service. If the electrical panel is
on the exterior of the building service can be shut down
by moving the circuit breakers to the OFF position.
***Meters should NOT be removed to eliminate electrical
service to a building!!!!! Removing may result in a meter
flashing or an explosion due to the sudden heavy draw
of current as the meter clips are pulled out.
Interior Panels and Service
• Some panels are located
on the interior, in which
case the fire may rule out
using the panel to
eliminate electrical
service.
Pad Mounted Transformer
• If there is a pad mounted
transformer outside the
building, it is NOT
advised to open the
cabinet doors and shut off
the service.
• When a pad mounted
transformer is involved
with fire, cordon off the
area and wait for the
power company. DO
NOT attempt to
extinguish the fire!!!!
Commercial Service Shut Down
• To prevent arcing in the
panel, shut off the branch
circuits before the main
circuit breaker.
• Shut off breakers from
the smallest load to the
largest load reducing to
the total load on the
system prior to shutting
down the main switch.
Know What Your Shutting Down
• Coordinate with IC to
ensure shut down is
completed where it is
needed.
• Many times power can be
isolated to a specific unit
or area.
• Wear proper PPE when
shutting breakers off.
(Full bunkers, eye
protection, and gloves)
Residential Service
• The component on the right is the electrical panel box (circuit
breaker panel).
• The component on the left is the electric meter (Do Not Attempt to
Remove)
• The faceplate has been
removed from the electric
meter in this picture. As a
result the circuits are
exposed, which are a
hazard to anyone
operating in the area.
This is the ONLY person who should touch
or remove an electrical meter!!!!!!!
References
• Truck Company Operations by John Mittendorf
• Truck Company Fire Ground Operations
by Harold Richman
• IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting 4th edition