The solution for fighting electrical fires in substations and underground vaults is the new Energy Response Unit – ENERGY 1. The Seattle Fire Department and Seattle City Light unveiled it last week. The One Seattle Plan collaboration between the agencies is now implementing the nation’s most capable apparatus which will minimize the impact of fire-related power outages for residents and businesses throughout the city.
First was the training. The Seattle Fire Department and Seattle City Light trained firefighters on how to use carbon dioxide (CO2) to extinguish electrical fires in substations and underground vaults. In the training, practitioners get to see why it is the best science in firefighting today. CO2 is nonconductive and is said to be highly effective in extinguishing electrical fires in confined spaces.
What use to be a nightmare is much quicker and safer. For instance, in the event of a vault fire, CO2 is poured into the vault while covering the opening with a fire-resistant tarp. This separates one of the three parts from the fire. Oxygen is displaced which will kill the fire. Then, once the fire is out, Seattle City Light personnel can then deenergize electrical equipment. This makes it safe for crews to enter and make full repairs.
Mayor Bruce Harrell was excited to see the agencies making history with such an important tool in fighting fires. “The Seattle Fire Department and Seattle City Light’s new Energy Response Unit exemplifies our One Seattle vision of collaboration and partnership, working together to ensure we are prepared to efficiently fight energy-related fires. This is cutting-edge, innovative public safety work being done to protect our critical infrastructure, minimize the impact of power outages for residents and businesses, and keep our City employees and entire community safe,” said the Mayor.
The mayor introduced the new Energy Response Unit consisting of 44 firefighters trained to fight the energy-related fires in substations and underground vaults. Both agencies worked together to retrofit a decommissioned rig, Power 25, with the capability of storing 900 pounds of liquid CO2 flowing through 125 feet of hose line. To get an idea of the improvement by comparison, the new ENERGY 1 response unit has the capacity of storing 11,000 pounds of CO2 dispersed through 600 feet of hose line. This makes the unit capable of accessing every substation and underground vault in the city of Seattle.