BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. 49B

SPECIAL PROCEDURES AND PRECAUTIONS FOR INCIDENTS

INVOLVING MANHOLES
S.O.P. # 49B 1

S.O.P. # 49B

SPECIAL PROCEDURES AND PRECAUTIONS FOR INCIDENTS

INVOLVING MANHOLES

49B.1 The procedures outlined in this S.O.P. pertain only to manholes belonging to the Boston
Edison Company. The Incident Commander shall attempt to determine who owns the manhole,
MBTA, Edison, Telephone, etc.

49B.2 Electrical incidents in manholes can involve cables only, or cables and high voltage
transformers, and switch gear. All manholes contain high voltage lines and equipment and extreme
care shall be exercised at all times to prevent electrical injuries. All protective gear shall be worn
at these incidents including SCBA. The following procedures outlined pertain only to manholes
belonging to the Boston Edison Company.

49B.3 Upon receipt of notification of an incident involving a manhole, the Fire Alarm Office shall
dispatch one engine and one ladder to the location, notify the District Chief and contact the Boston
Edison Distribution Dispatcher's Office, using the direct line. The Fire Alarm Operator shall
identify the location and request that Edison identify the equipment in the manhole, e.g.,
transformers, switchgear, cables, etc. In order to provide this information, the Edison Distribution
Dispatcher will need an exact location.

49B.4 The first arriving companies shall assume that the manhole does contain transformers and
switchgear and that dielectric cooling fluid is combustible mineral oil contaminated with PCBs.
Company Commanders shall place the apparatus and position the members to avoid any contact
with fumes or smoke from the manhole.

If the first arriving companies observe smoke or flames coming from the manhole, the
Incident Commander shall notify Fire Alarm of a confirmed manhole fire. The companies shall
secure the area and establish a hot zone. The Incident Commander will attempt to determine what
service owns the manhole, e.g., MBTA, Telephone, Edison, etc. Attempts then should be made to
remove the manhole cover and initiate actions to extinguish the fire by filling the manhole with
water from a safe distance. Water shall NEVER be played into manholes belonging to the
MBTA. The Incident Commander should consider removing the covers on other manholes in line
with the one involved. This will relieve the pressure build up. The Incident Commander shall also
take appropriate action to check exposures for feedback from shorted power lines.

49B.5 Boston Edison in conjunction with the Boston Fire Department has done extensive testing
and research and found that applying water to their manholes is both a safe and effective method of
extinguishment. The water actually controls the fault or break by cooling the equipment and faults
to the point of controlled burning.
S.O.P. # 49B 2

49B.6 The reason that water can be used at these incidents is because of the extensive grounding
of cables and equipment throughout the manholes. Under no circumstances should fire department
personnel enter a manhole, the only exception being a confined space rescue.

49B.7 With the great amount of smoke created at some of these incidents, evacuation must be a
consideration due to the possibility of PCBs being involved.

RESPONSE TO A MANHOLE INCIDENT:

One engine
One ladder
Notify District Chief

RESPONSE TO A CONFIRMED MANHOLE FIRE:

Safety Chief
District Chief
Notify Department Chemist
H-2

NOTE: Refer to the Boston Fire Department video on manhole fires located in each District
Chief's Office.