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| SPECIAL BULLETIN NASSAU COUNTY FIRE SERVICE ACADEMY SPECIAL INTEREST BULLETIN ELECTRIFIED ROADWAY STRIPING HAZARD Recently an incident occurred where roadway striping became electrified by a downed wire that caused an extremely hazardous condition that could prove lethal to emergency responders and the public. INCIDENT DETAILS The Westbury Fire Department responded to an alarm on I.U. Willets Road in Old Westbury for primary electrical wires down and burning in the roadway, the result of a severe rainstorm. On arrival, apparatus and chief�s vehicles were directed to stage several hundred feet from the downed wire. One of the Assistant Chiefs exited his vehicle and began to approach the scene to confer with Old Westbury police officers. While walking in the roadway, this Assistant Chief heard a buzzing noise originating from the ground near his feet. Looking down, he observed what appeared to be a blue electric arc intermittently crossing a crack in the asphalt. The crack in the road asphalt was at least one hundred (100) feet from the area where the downed primary wire was laying in the road and arcing. The crack in the asphalt also cut through the double yellow centerline striping causing an approximate 1" wide separation across the width of the striping. All emergency response personnel were immediately advised of the hazard and were directed to stay out of the roadway. LlPA / Keyspan were notified to respond for the downed power line. HAZARD INVESTIGATION After conclusion of the incident, an investigation was done to determine the reason for the electric arc so far away from the downed wire. The downed primary electric wire had fallen and made contact with the double yellow striping in the center of the roadway. Approximately twenty-five (25) feet of the yellow striping had burned and appeared to have melted. Residue from the melted yellow striping exposed what appeared to be the cause of the current flow. The yellow striping has a metal foil backing running the entire length and width of the stripe. Apparently the downed power line energized the yellow striping and the electric current traveled along the metal foil backing; at least the distance of the crack in the roadway and continued for an undetermined distance. When the current reached the crack in the stripe and roadway, the current jumped across the opening causing the arcing condition observed. It is unknown if the rain conditions increased the ability of the yellow striping to conduct electricity. material on roadways under their jurisdiction. NOTIFICATION The hazard and concern of electric current travel along roadway striping has been brought to the attention of the Nassau County Department of Public Works for their review. A representative from the Department of Public Works indicated that his department had not been aware of this hazard. He further advised that this striping material was used throughout the county on many roads. They are very concerned regarding this hazard and will be conducting an inquiry into the matter with the manufacturer of the yellow striping. It is unknown if other municipalities utilize this The striping is not the type painted onto the surface of the road; rather, it is rolled out and usually heated to adhere to the road surface. It has a bright yellow reflective surface that is rough to the touch. PRECAUTIONS The seriousness of this safety hazard to fire, police, and medical emergency response personnel, utility workers, victims and pedestrians is readily apparent. This condition could potentially be present wherever downed power lines have occurred; such as at, auto accidents, wind, rain, snow and ice storms, electrical equipment overloads or failure, building collapses, etc. All emergency response personnel should exercise care to avoid this hazard. Warnings must be issued to everyone working at the incident scene and entry anywhere near the hazard area must be denied. Incident Safety Officers must assess the injury potential and provide information back to the Incident Commander. This Special Safety Bulletin and the information contained herein should be brought to the attention of all emergency response personnel. Submitted by Robert Price, NCFSA 2nd Deputy Chief Instructor and Ex-Chief with the Westbury Fire Department. |
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