Substation Fires

  • Never enter the substation before utility personnel arrive. While you wait, take a defensive approach, and follow these steps:
    • Let it burn. Burning electrical equipment is already ruined and will not be repaired. Do not risk injury to protect it, as it will be replaced anyway.
    • Isolate the area with a radius of at least 300 feet. Keep anyone unauthorized away from the area.
    • Stay upwind. Consider downwind evacuation up to 1,000 feet away.
    • Follow the 30/30/100 rule: Stay 30 feet away from energized objects, and use a 30-degree fog spray at 100 psi to protect exposures—never a solid stream.
    • Monitor for oil runoff. Direct any oil away from catch basins and surface waters.

 

Vehicle/Utility Pole Accidents