Fire in electrical installation
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Incident information
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Identify the location of the fire, materials involved and any potential for flashover or backdraught
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Identify number and last known position (LKP) of any occupants in need of rescue or assistance to evacuate
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Consider using thermal imaging equipment for scanning when carrying out a scene survey
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Identify utilities, including renewable energy supplies and locate isolation points
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Pass the identification number(s) of any transmission tower or pole to the relevant distribution network operator (DNO) or transmission operator (TO)
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Further incident information
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Check building system indicator, slave control, alarm panels and CCTV to assess the status of facilities
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Identify security features that may compromise safe access to and egress from the scene of operations
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Identify the presence and effectiveness of fixed installations and where appropriate, take control of their operation
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Consider the occupancy, use and contents of the property involved
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Consider the presence of unofficial occupants (e.g. squatters, rough sleepers, drug users, youths)
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Consider potential causes of fire e.g. deliberate or accidental ignition and illegal activities
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Continually monitor and assess the fire development for signs and symptoms of escalation
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Ensure that regular scene surveys are carried out based on the nature and severity of the fire
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Resource information
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Request utilities representative where isolation is required or illegal extraction evident
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Request assistance from the service supplier to isolate the utility or fuel supply from the national grid
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Consider requesting aerial or special appliances to reduce risk and demand on resources
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Secure sufficient firefighting media to enable the fire to be fully extinguished
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Consider requesting specialist resources from own or neighbouring fire and rescue services, or partner agencies
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Further resource information
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Request medical support for any casualties and safety of incident responders if required
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Risk information
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Electricity
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Consider isolating the power supplies, considering the impact on any critical systems
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Isolate any utilities that may affect the incident or crew safety, and secure against reconnection
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Isolate any photovoltaic system as close to the panels as possible
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Ensure that stored charge or stored energy is discharged
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Observe and adhere to any warnings and local restrictions when working near to transmitting mast or towers
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Implement high-voltage safe system of work if a yellow 'danger of death' sign present
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Take precautions when carrying metal ladders or other operational equipment; these should be carried horizontally and as low to the ground as possible
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Ensure that PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment for live utilities
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Fire and thermal radiation
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Position vehicles anticipating fire development, thermal radiation, collapse, smoke and other hazards
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Use the appropriate extinguishing method, media, techniques and equipment
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Put in place covering and/or safety jets according to identified risks
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Ensure that Firefighting PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment, procedures and training
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Smoke and fire gases
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Consider the effects of wind and ventilation on smoke and fire gases when positioning firefighting personnel
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Adopt an upwind approach to smoke plumes and fire gases, and to avoid where possible
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Implement BA entry control procedures appropriate to the level of risk identified
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Consider the impact of smoke plume on downwind life risk, road users and other transport networks
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Unstable structure
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Identify the age, design and condition of the structure
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Assess and continuously monitor the structure for signs of collapse
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Consider the structural stability of the building before deploying personnel for internal firefighting
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Evaluate and monitor the potential footprint of collapse and debris
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Consider the effects of the fire’s duration and intensity and firefighting activity on structural elements or structural frames
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Consider requesting the attendance of a local authority building inspector to provide advice on building structural integrity
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Consider the effects of the fire’s duration and intensity and firefighting activity on structural materials
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Consider the effects of fire or firefighting on mezzanine and raised storage systems
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Cables
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Identify and communicate the presence of lightweight conduit, trunking and cable fixings
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Identify loose cables and consider using alternative access and egress routes or defensive tactics
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Consider securing or carrying out a a controlled release of cables
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Hazardous materials
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When approaching the incident use visual and other incident indicators to inform situational awareness
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Gather incident information from a suitable safe distance based on hazard assessment
- Identify whether the incident should be reclassified as a hazardous materials response
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Identify the presence of asbestos-containing materials and assess the level of risk (High or Lower Hazard)
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Powers, policies and procedures
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Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
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Further powers, policies and procedures
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See All incident: Powers policies and procedures
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Enter premises or a place, by force if necessary, without the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises:
- If they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
- If they reasonably believe a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out
- For the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property
- NB Does not apply to Crown property (including ministry of defence) and diplomatic or consular premises
- NB The Master of the ship (or delegated officer) of a merchant vessel must give permission to board
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| Why? | Expectations? | Benefit vs Risk? |
Objectives
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Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
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Save life and reduce harm
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Extinguish the fire and eliminate all ignition sources
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Further objectives
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Promote community recovery and restore normal operations
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Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
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Tactical priorities
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Request and record permission from the designated person before commencing fire and rescue service activities near high-voltage equipment
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Carry out any rescues or lifesaving actions
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Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
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Develop and communicate a firefighting plan and ventilation strategy to all personnel
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Further tactical priorities
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Identify the number of casualties requiring medical attention and instigate a triage process
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Identify all possible ignition sources and eliminate them as far as is possible
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Ensure that good scene preservation and practices are adopted at all stages of an incident
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Operational tactics
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Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
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Select an appropriate firefighting method (i.e. cooling, smothering, starving, interrupting)
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Select appropriate firefighting media (e.g. water, foam, dry powder, CO2)
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Select an appropriate firefighting technique (e.g. direct firefighting, firebreaks, controlled burn)
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Select appropriate firefighting equipment (e.g. extinguisher, hose reel, main jet, cutting extinguisher)
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Further operational tactics
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Monitor the effect of the media on the fire to ensure that the anticipated outcome is achieved
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Consider the use of monitors (aerial appliance mounted, fixed or portable)
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Consider compartment boundary cooling using appropriate and effective fire-fighting media
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Consider means of access to concealed areas, including use of hatches and cutting away
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Consider the use of on-site vehicles operated by competent people as part of the incident plan
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Communication
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Brief crews to carry out self-protection, door entry and compartment firefighting techniques
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Conduct regular communication checks to ensure equipment continues to function
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Inform all personnel and other responders which utilities have been isolated and if any remain operative
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Further communication
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Ensure all personnel are informed of any intended tactics regarding the fixed installation systems
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Inform all personnel of known or likely areas of interest for fire or criminal investigation, so that these can be avoided
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Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
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Control
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Establish 10m exclusion zone around high voltage electricity sources
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Identify, implement and manage safety distances for power sources that cannot be isolated
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Further control information
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Record and time stamp the decision to isolate utilities in the analytical risk assessment and decision log
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Note issues relating to cordons or physical evidence in the decision log
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Incident closure and handover
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Identify the area of origin and investigate possible causes of the fire considering criminal acts
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Hand over responsibility for removed items and security of premises to the responsible person or the police
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Preserve evidence of illegal wiring and pass this information to the police and the electricity supplier
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Further incident and closure information
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Access and secure CCTV footage for subsequent investigations and debriefs
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Liaise with the police and local authority support teams at incidents involving serious injury and fatalities
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Record statements from relevant people as soon as practicable
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