Bushfire Managment Plan - Western Power · transmission and distribution powerlines and cable and...

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Bushfire Management Plan

Original Issue: August 2015

Prepared by: Network Planning and Standards

This Revision: August 2015

Date for Next Review: August 2016

© 2015 Western Power

ABN 18540492861

Bushfire Management Plan

Contents

Endorsement Approvals

Name Title Signature

Prepared by Tony Baird Network Planner — Bushfire Strategy

i Endorsed by Endorsed Andy Kondola Head of Network planning

and Standards

, V' I

Approved by Cameron Parrotte

Executive Manager Network Planning and Operations

0244

Record of Revisions

Revision number

Date DM version

Revised by Description

Documents Referenced In This Document

DM#

Title of Document

12785511 Bushfire Mitigation Implementation Plan 15/16

Other Documents That Reference This Document

DM#

Title of Document

12785511 Bushfire Mitigation Implementation Plan 15/16

Stakeholders (Functions to be consulted when document is updated)

Functions

Functions to be consulted:

• Works Scoping

• Works Program Planning

• Operational Maintenance

• Business Planning & Reporting

• Asset Performance

• Network Planning & Standards

This document must not be made available to personnel outside Western Power without the prior written approval of Western Power.

.211w e st ern ow e r DM# 13167817 es 1 p

Uncontrolled document when printed

Refer to DM for current version

______________________________________________________________________________ Bushfire Management Plan

DM# 13404417

Uncontrolled document when printed Refer to DM for current version

Contents

1 Introduction .....................................................................................................4

1.1 Context .........................................................................................................4 1.2 Purpose ........................................................................................................5 1.3 Bushfire Management Framework ................................................................6

2 Bushfire Risk ...................................................................................................8

2.1 Bushfire Risk Assessment and Network Mapping .........................................8 2.2 Post Bushfire Season Review .......................................................................9 2.3 Bushfire Risk Reduction Strategies .............................................................10

2.3.1 Asset Maintenance Strategy ..............................................................10 2.3.2 Conductor Replacement Program......................................................11

2.3.2.1 Conductor Failure Mitigation Strategy .......................................11 2.3.2.2 Conductor Clashing Mitigation Strategy ....................................12

2.3.3 Pole Failure Mitigation Strategy .........................................................12 2.3.4 Vegetation Management Strategy......................................................13 2.3.5 Pole Top Fire Mitigation Strategy .......................................................13 2.3.6 Operational Activities .........................................................................14 2.3.7 Work Practices ..................................................................................14 2.3.8 Design and Equipment Standards .....................................................14 2.3.9 Planning considerations .....................................................................15

2.4 Related Bushfire Management Activities .....................................................15 2.4.1 Investigation Activities .......................................................................15 2.4.2 Asset Data and Knowledge Management ..........................................15 2.4.3 Insurance Management .....................................................................15 2.4.4 Managing the Impacts of Legislation ..................................................16 2.4.5 Land and Environmental Management ..............................................16 2.4.6 Bushfire Response Activities .............................................................16 2.4.7 Accreditation and Training for Bushfire Protection .............................16

2.5 Public Awareness for Bushfire Protection ...................................................16 2.6 National Considerations and Activities ........................................................17

3 Management Reporting.................................................................................18

3.1 Ground Fires Incident Register ...................................................................18 3.2 Bushfire Season Preparedness Indicator ....................................................18 3.3 Operational Reports ....................................................................................18

4 Definitions and Acronyms ............................................................................19

4.1 References .................................................................................................20

Appendix A. Western Power Policies Plans and Procedures ........................21

Corporate Policies and Plans ...............................................................................21 Network Strategies and Plans ..............................................................................21 Network Operating Plans, Manuals and Instructions ............................................21

Bushfire Management Plan _________________________________________________________________________

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1 Introduction

1.1 Context

Western Power is a State Government owned statutory corporation. It is a combined transmission and distribution network service provider and owns, operates and is responsible for the efficient development and management of the Western Power Network.

The Western Power Network forms part of the South West Interconnected Network1 (SWIN), or part of the network component of the South West Interconnected System2 (SWIS). The Western Power Network (network or system) transports energy from generators to customers and comprises a large number of physical assets such as towers, poles, conductors and transformers.

The SWIS covers a very large geographical area of Western Australia; extending from Kalbarri in the north, to Albany in the south and to Kalgoorlie in the east. The total area serviced by the SWIS is approximately 257,800 km2 and the total perimeter is 3,761 km.

Figure 1.0: South West Interconnected System (SWIS)

Within this area the Western Power Network has approximately 92,5003 km of transmission and distribution powerlines and cable and consistent with similar electricity networks in Australia, the infrastructure particularly in the semi-rural and rural areas is predominantly of an overhead construction consisting of bare conductors supported by poles and towers crossing farmland, bush and

1 The South West Interconnected Network (SWIN) is the network component of the SWIS,

including all the small pockets of infrastructure that Western Power do not own or manage (privately owned networks) 2 The South West Interconnected System (SWIS) is the entire interconnected system, including all

the generators and the small pockets of privately owned networks. Reference Electricity Networks Access Code 2004 clause 1.3, page 31 3 According to Western Power Network Metrics 2014-15.


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vegetated areas. This type of construction carries an inherent public safety; bushfire; and environmental impact risk.

Western Power is required to continually invest in its network to ensure a safe, reliable, and affordable network.

The risk of a bushfire is a particular manifestation of the climatic conditions in

Western Australia. High temperatures combined with low rainfall can lead to

conditions in which fires are easily ignited, spread quickly and are difficult to

control. Western Australia’s long dry summer, with the hot weather and winds

typically extending from December to March each year, is recognised as ‘the

bushfire season’.

Bushfires may result from:

lightning, acts of vandalism, human error and other phenomena which act

as a source of ignition in the proximity of dry vegetation; and

Western Power’s network assets

The impacts of bushfires include:

increased public safety risks;

property and environmental damage; and

damage to the Western Power Network infrastructure

In the event where the network infrastructure is damaged leading to electricity supply outages the local community services, such as water pumping and communication facilities - that are essential in fighting fires and protecting communities in general - are also affected.

1.2 Purpose

Western Power’s mission for Bushfire Management is to develop a network that is built and maintained in a manner that reduces the risk of its network being a source of bushfire ignition (i.e. asset initiated fire) to as low as reasonably practicable with the funding available. This reduces the risk of asset initiated fires to:

public and personnel4safety – by operating and maintaining the network to

reduce the number of fires initiated by Western Power’s network;

Western Power’s network – by designing, operating and maintaining the

network such that the impact of bushfires on the network is minimised; and

Western Power’s business – by reducing the above two risks.

This Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) articulates Western Power’s key bushfire mitigation strategies to internal and external stakeholders. The objective of these strategies is to reduce the risk of fires due to Western Power’s assets or its activities. It contains key performance indicators that are monitored to assess the success of the plan.

4 Western Power staff, contractors and Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

personnel


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1.3 Bushfire Management Framework

The BMP is a key document and an integral part of the suite of strategic asset management documents. Figure 2 illustrates the overall asset management document framework and articulates where the bushfire management plan fits within this document hierarchy.

Network

Investment Strategy

Network Management Plan

Network Development Plan

Electric Shock Mitigation Strategy

Reliability Strategy

Others

Asset Class Strategies

Wood Poles, Pole Top Fire, Conductor Clashing, Conductor Failure, Flora Management, Fauna

Management, Transformers,

Bushfire Management PlanPolicy

Strategy

Standards

Implementation Plans

Procedures

Figure 2: Asset Management Document Framework

The bushfire management plan is supported by a range of documents and Figure 3 reflects the hierarchy of key documents (plans and information) for managing bushfire mitigation.

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NITO

RIN

G A

ND

REP

OR

TING

Po

st Bu

shfire

season

review, B

ush

fire R

eadin

ess Pro

gress, Review

of

Pro

gress again

st pro

du

ction

plan

s

Asset

Management Policy

Network Management Plan

Bushfire Management Plan/ Strategy

Asset Class Strategies

Network Standards

Equipment Standards

Operational Standards

Bushfire Management Implementation Plan(s)

Asset Implementation Plan(s)

Production Plan(s)

Operational Procedures

Work Procedures


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Figure 3: Bushfire management document framework

The management of bushfire risk is implemented through two main complementary avenues:

the incorporation of asset initiated fire risk into all relevant network planning activities; and

development of specific programs that target reduction in asset initiated

fires.

The BMP provides a consolidated view of the strategies and asset plans targeted at mitigating the risk of bushfire and bushfire impact.

Management strategies and controls enabled by the BMP include:

bushfire risk assessment and network mapping;

risk reduction strategies for public safety;

bushfire related management functions;

public awareness strategy for bushfire protection; and

benchmarking with other electricity utilities to discuss the latest

developments in bushfire mitigation.

The Bushfire Management Implementation Plan (BMIP) implements the

requirements of the BMP and outlines the associated preparedness activities and

programs leading up to, and the activities during the bushfire season each year.


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2 Bushfire Risk

Whilst the asset initiated fire risk exists throughout the network, the likelihood and consequence of bushfire incidents varies. Western Power has limited resources5 to mitigate all the risks associated with bushfires. These resources are therefore required to be allocated commensurate with the level of risks.

Safety, financial, community and business impacts are the main drivers considered in the evaluation of risk.

2.1 Bushfire Risk Assessment and Network Mapping

Western Power uses the Australian Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000 for bushfire risk assessment. This assessment measures bushfire risk in the areas traversed by the network using considerations of bushfire likelihood and consequence.

The bushfire risk due to Western Power’s network is calculated using:

the location of all network assets recorded in Western Power’s geographic information systems; and

any infrastructure, habitation, land and business value in the vicinity of Western Power’s network, together with geographical contours.

Western Power has partnered with the government departments of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) on a Bushfire Threat Analysis (BTA) project for Western Australia. The primary aim of the BTA is to improve the quantification of bushfire risk factors across Western Australia. The BTA is updated on an annual basis.

In 2003, Western Powers’ maintenance BFR zones were classified in accordance with the then BTA data as Extreme, High, Moderate or Low fire risk maintenance zones.

These maintenance zones are traversed by approximately 69,0003 km (route length) of overhead powerlines. There is 59,000 km (circuit length) of overhead powerlines in designated Extreme, High and Moderate fire risks BFR zones.

Figure 3, shows a map of Western Power’s maintenance zones by fire risk ranking. These fire risk zones (or Bushfire Risk Zones – BFR zones) influence Western Power’s approach to asset management (planning, operation, maintenance and prioritisation). DFES and DPaW have endorsed Western Power’s Bushfire Risk Assessment. All mitigation strategies arising out of this plan are prioritised by the fire risk zones.

In 2015, Western Power jointly funded a Fire Consequence Mapping project with DFES, Landgate and GeoScience Australia. This project will be completed in the 2015/16 financial year. The aim of the project is to improve the identification of high consequence bushfire areas in Western Australia. This could assist Western Power reduce the likelihood of high consequence bushfires initiated by it’s network.

5 Financial and human resources


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Figure 3: Fire Risk Zones

2.2 Post Bushfire Season Review

Western Power reviews the fire (bushfires and ground fires) performance every year. This review is focused on the fires resulting due to Western Power’s network, its operations and interactions with its network. Analysis of this performance is a feedback loop for development of bushfire management strategies and plans for the following years.

Review of fire performance for 2014/15 season and comparing this with performance over the past five years, has highlighted the following:

1. When compared with earlier years, 2014/15 has seen an increase in the number of fire incidents due to Western Power’s network and/or interactions with the network. However, the number of fires causing damage to property and infrastructure has decreased compared to earlier years.


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2. Fauna, flora, pole top fires, conductor failure and plant equipment failure continue to be the largest cause of fire incidents

Key recommendations arising from the analysis of the fire incidents include:

1. Undertake an in-depth review of strategies to mitigate the risks of fire incidents due to fauna.

2. Continue implementation of mitigation programs for pole top fire, conductor failure, plant equipment failure and conductor clashing, targeting the highest fire risk zones on the priority. Where justifiable, seek opportunities to increase the implementation plans.

Apart from the above, the post bushfire season analysis reinforces existing strategies and plans to reduce the risk of asset initiated ignition which could result in bushfires.

2.3 Bushfire Risk Reduction Strategies

The Western Power Network particularly in the semi-rural and rural areas is predominantly of an overhead construction consisting of bare conductors supported by poles and towers crossing farmland, bush and vegetated areas. This type of construction, considered to be more economically efficient, carries an inherent public safety, bushfire and environmental impact risk.

Western Power is required to continually invest in its network to ensure a safe, reliable, and affordable network.

To improve public safety, investment on the network relating to critical risks in the areas of public safety; bushfires; asset maintenance; and network security are recognised through a risk assessment as a high priority.

The following specific strategies/programs/activities have been developed to:

reduce the likelihood of asset initiated fires in which Western Power’s assets are the source of ignition; and

manage the risks of bushfires damaging Western Power’s assets.

These include asset based strategies/programs and targeted operational activities such as maintenance of line clearances, vegetation management, pole top washing, applying silicon to the surface of insulators, and regular analysis and reporting of fire starts and causes.

2.3.1 Asset Maintenance Strategy

The consideration of bushfire risk covers a wide range of asset types and asset management activities. Fire starts can be caused by assets themselves, usually when they fail, such as overhead structures, pole top structures, transformers, switchgear and conductors. Therefore, consideration of fire start potential is incorporated into the way these assets are managed, both in the specification, operation, maintenance and replacement phases.

Assets are routinely inspected, assessed and monitored to determine their condition, their impact on the environment and their suitability of functionality or fit for purpose. Preventative, corrective and emergency maintenance activities are then identified and prioritised according to risk. In extreme and high BFR zones, asset defects that have the potential to initiate fire starts are prioritised.


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Fires can also be started by general construction and operational activities undertaken by Western Power. Therefore, consideration of fire start potential is incorporated into the way these activities are managed.

2.3.2 Conductor Replacement Program

Distribution overhead conductors transport energy from zone substations to the end consumer. Conductor failures are known to cause personal injury resulting from contact with electricity or from ground fires. Conductor failures can also lead to property damage and service disruption. Conductors fail when the mechanical load exceeds the conductors residual tensile strength. Over time, conductor load can increase and/or tensile strength can reduce due to a range of factors including deterioration from corrosion or excessive temperatures, failure of supporting accessories, inadequate maintenance practices, incorrect tensioning, interference from machinery, flora and fauna or other external forces.

Of Western Power's overhead distribution network, approximately 25.3%(circuit length) have been identified to present a heightened likelihood of unassisted failure. Approximately 18% (circuit length) of this traverses extreme and high BFR zones, presenting a higher bushfire risk in the event of conductor failure.

The Conductor Replacement Program consists of the following two strategies.

2.3.2.1 Conductor Failure Mitigation Strategy

This strategy consists of ongoing conductor maintenance and a conductor replacement program.

The maintenance is based upon routine field inspections carried out on a 4 yearly cycle to identify conductor defects. Defects are prioritised for remediation based upon a risk assessment which considers the defect severity and likelihood of consequence (e.g. starting a fire). Remedial actions may consist of localised repairs or replacement of a section of the conductor.

The conductor replacement program considers conductor failure history, defects history, existing defects and asset experience to identify conductor types that have performance issues and are most likely to be “aged”. These conductor types present a higher likelihood of failure and therefore require remedial action.

The following conductor types are most likely to be aged and are targeted for remedial action:

Copper ≤ 6.1mm diameter and recorded age ≥ 40 years;

Steel conductor with a recorded age ≥ 40 years;

All High Voltage Aerial Bundled Conductors (HV ABC);

ACSR conductor with a recorded age ≥ 20 years and with known performance issues; and

AAC conductor with a recorded age ≥ 50 years.

To maximise delivery efficiency, targeted bays are grouped into network segments. Network segments validated to be in poor condition are


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prioritised for replacement based upon maximising risk reduction per dollar spent, considering fire, safety and reliability risks.

All remedial works are undertaken in accordance with approved Western Power standards.

2.3.2.2 Conductor Clashing Mitigation Strategy

Phase conductors have to maintain minimum separation distance from each other and from earth. When this minimum separation distance is reduced to an extent that electric current has travelled along an unintended path between the conductors, it is called conductor clashing. Conductor clashing is known to cause service disruptions and can lead to ground fires, personal injury and property damage. They can also lead to conductor failure, which can result in electric shock and property damage. The root causes of conductor clashing are complex and relate to bay configuration and length, conductor type, conductor tension, asset defects and external interference. Conductors exhibit an increased likelihood of clashing where:

• Design or construction is substandard; and/or

• Asset condition has deteriorated (e.g. reduction in tension due to asset condition).

Suboptimal asset condition, combined with unfavourable environmental conditions (e.g. high winds) leads to conductor clashing.

Bays with high likelihood of conductor clashing are identified for remediation based on past clashing performance, from detected and reported incidents, low k-factor (<0.4) and insufficient vertical conductor separation.

Bays are assigned a clashing likelihood rating based on attributes, configuration and condition. Risk scores are calculated for each bay considering fire, safety and reliability risks.

Identified bays are subjected to targeted inspection (e.g. through “LiDAR” surveys and aerial photography) to validate conductor clashing likelihood, confirm remediation requirements (scope) remediation options. Conductor bays with highest risk are selected and prioritised for remediation.

Designs are undertaken in accordance with the approved distribution design manual, bringing the Network segment in line with AS7000 requirements.

2.3.3 Pole Failure Mitigation Strategy

Falling poles can result in a fire by bringing live electrical equipment into contact with dry vegetated undergrowth.

The Pole Failure Mitigation Strategy involves:

All unreinforced hardwood poles over 25 years old are considered to be at risk of unassisted failure, being reinforced, replaced or removed.

Hardwood poles under 25 years old being reinforced, replaced or removed where inspections reveal conditions, indicating the pole is at risk of unassisted failure.


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All hardwood poles (regardless of age) with legacy reinforcement systems that do not comply with AS/NZS7000, are considered to be at risk of unassisted failure, being re-reinforced, replaced or removed.

All hardwood poles with stay systems that do not comply with AS/NZS7000 are considered to be at risk of unassisted failure, being remediated to comply with AS/NZS7000.

All softwood poles that are identified (through inspection) with conditions indicating that the pole is at risk of failure will be reinforced, replaced or removed.

Western Power prioritises treatment of all rural poles in order to meet compliance with the EnergySafety Order 001-2009 to the maximum

extent possible.

2.3.4 Vegetation Management Strategy

Western Power undertakes vegetation maintenance programs to maintain clearances between vegetation and network assets. If vegetation comes into contact with electrical assets, the vegetation can burn and start bushfires.

The vegetation management strategy with respect to the BMP is to undertake vegetation maintenance activities based on the bushfire area risk assessment.

Vegetation maintenance activities on the transmission and distribution network, in extreme and high BFR zones are required to be completed prior to the commencement of the forthcoming bushfire season.

Vegetation maintenance activities on both the distribution and the transmission network, in moderate and low BFR zones are to be completed by the end of each financial year.

Pole base clearing is also carried out on fuse poles where ‘fire-safe’ fuse units are not installed and are susceptible to sparking when operated.

2.3.5 Pole Top Fire Mitigation Strategy

A pole top fire is any fire at the top of a network structure. Pole top fires are known to cause service disruptions and can lead to ground fires that can result in personal injury and property damage. They can also lead to conductor failure, which can result in electric shock and property damage. The primary cause of pole top fires is the passage of leakage current through and/or over insulators to the wood pole structure. This typically occurs where pollution is present on the insulator surface and moisture (i.e. light rain or high humidity) enables a conductive path to be established. The leakage current may create sufficient local heating at metal-wood interfaces in the pole structure to cause ignition.

Pole Top Fire history and asset experience are used to identify insulators that present a high potential for pole top fires due to flow of leakage current.

The following insulators are currently targeted for remedial action:

1. Unsiliconed Glass & Porcelain;

2. Unsiliconed EMC Cycloaliphatic Epoxy Resin insulators (IC0072 & IC0073 type); and

3. Insulators with silicone age greater than 8 yrs.


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2.3.6 Operational Activities

A Bushfire Reporting Process, jointly developed by Western Power and DFES, has been implemented to improve safety for fire crews fighting fires in the vicinity of Western Power assets. The process streamlines communication between DFES and Western Power to enable the fire crews to work safely and efficiently with Western Power to fight bushfires and minimise the impact of bushfires on the Western Power Network.

Bureau of Meteorology identifies and declares total fire ban days and high and extreme bushfire risk days.

Western Power invokes specific operating procedures and work instructions for each of these declared fire days.

Western Power’s procedures and instructions for days of total fire ban incorporate arrangements for:

liaison between Western Power and DFES;

communication with the affected community;

communications with emergency groups;

response to emergency situations resulting from network damage or failure;

authorised actions where they result in the interruption of electricity supply to customers;

when there is a fault or other interference in the bushfire season, more sensitive protection settings will ensure that power is interrupted faster than usual and will reduce the likelihood of starting a fire.

obtaining permits relevant to work activities on total fire ban days.

2.3.7 Work Practices

During ‘Live line’ work activities undertaken by Western Power crews or its contractors there exists potential for ignition of surrounding vegetation which may cause a ground fire.

Western Power has documented instructions and provides training of work crews for working in bushfire prone areas during total fire ban days.

This includes instructions for the use of motor vehicles and combustion engines and the fire fighting equipment to be carried.

2.3.8 Design and Equipment Standards

Western Power adopts standards, specifications, procedures and processes for the procurement, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the network with the objective of eliminating the introduction of potential fires.

Western Power investigates long-term network design improvements, equipment improvements and new technologies where appropriate to reduce the risk and impact of bushfires.

Network designs and equipment selection considerations focus on what will provide low likelihood of initiating fire and have high resistance to fire particularly in extreme and high BFR zones.


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New technologies that reduce ignition likelihood and/or are fire resistant are assessed for effectiveness and value. New technologies recently considered and deployed include:

fire safe fuse devices;

fire safe surge arresters;

fire safe conductor and construction types; and

fire retardant paint on wooden poles.

2.3.9 Planning considerations

Planning investment options considered for avoiding fire starts and protecting assets from bushfires include:

re-routing lines away from bushfire risk areas;

under-grounding new or replacement lines; and

adopting fire resistant and fire safe overhead line designs, including supply lines critical to safety and community interests.

The above planning investment options are considered within the constraints of affordability and competing priorities for Western Power, its customers and stakeholders.

2.4 Related Bushfire Management Activities

The following functions are considered in mitigation activities and when an asset initiated bushfire occurs in which Western Power’s assets are the source of ignition.

2.4.1 Investigation Activities

Western Power monitors fault/fire incident statistics to determine trends and highlight network damage or faulty equipment in need of repair or replacement.

Bushfire incidents are investigated and subsequent recommendations provide immediate and long-term bushfire mitigation actions.

2.4.2 Asset Data and Knowledge Management

Asset data and knowledge management is an ongoing activity that supports;

• Improved asset knowledge (e.g. condition, ageing characteristics) and completeness & accuracy of data (e.g. location, type of assets).

• Updated asset data records at each stage of asset management (as appropriate). Asset data includes asset attributes, condition and inspection results and defects.

• Efficient and effective tools and systems for end-to-end asset management process and timely access to reliable and complete asset information.

2.4.3 Insurance Management

Insurance management is an ongoing essential management function linked to the mitigation of bushfire risk. Western Power insurance representatives participate in activities relating to bushfires and are consulted in the development


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of the bushfire mitigation activities. The representative provides the communication between Western Power and its Insurers.

2.4.4 Managing the Impacts of Legislation

Western Power’s liability under common law for damage or injury arising from asset initiated bushfire in which Western Power’s assets are the source of ignition is required to be managed. The extent of this liability will depend on the circumstances in each case.

Relevant legislation which must be considered includes the Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979, The Electricity Act 1945, Bush Fires Act 1954 and the Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001.

2.4.5 Land and Environmental Management

The BMP is aligned with Western Power’s environmental procedures and policies, including the environmental policies and procedures related to planned and unplanned maintenance.

2.4.6 Bushfire Response Activities

Western Power’s response to bushfires relies on the field crews’ ability to respond with appropriate fire fighting equipment and approved access to the bushfire incident area to protect the infrastructure threatened by bushfire damage.

Protective dousing of assets can be taken before the bushfire reaches the network asset or even after the bushfire has passed.

This approach has safety implications for Western Power personnel and must be coordinated with DFES and DPaW.

These activities require:

co-operative working relationships with DFES and DPaW;

agreed protocols with DFES and DPaW, of Western Power behaviour/activities at bushfire event locations;

effective communication links with DFES and DPaW on the location and likely movement of bushfires; and

fire fighting skills and fire equipment training of field repair crews.

2.4.7 Accreditation and Training for Bushfire Protection

This activity covers regular training and refresher training programs with the requisite accreditations needed to undertake effective asset inspection. This is required for both Western Power and contract employees.

The training and accreditation activities enable the use of approved plant and equipment and the management and monitoring of contracts for effective maintenance and vegetation control.

2.5 Public Awareness for Bushfire Protection

A number of specific initiatives, including media campaigns, notes on electricity accounts and the Western Power website, are used to inform the public of:


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the potential fire risks associated with overhead power lines;

the obligations of householders or landowners to prevent cultivated or tended natural vegetation from coming into contact with overhead power lines;

the benefits of vegetation management, communicated at the start of the bushfire season;

the risks of planting inappropriate vegetation near overhead power lines;

vegetation species suitable for planting near and below overhead power lines; and

potential hazards of fire fighting activities near overhead power lines and transmission lines.

2.6 National Considerations and Activities

It is acknowledged that the south eastern states of Australia, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, are considered significant bushfire prone areas, primarily due to their climatic and environmental conditions.

Western Power regularly liaises with the distribution network businesses in these jurisdictions to discuss latest developments in bushfire mitigation. Western Power maintains a bushfire mitigation benchmarking arrangement with these businesses. This facilitates a continual exchange of bushfire mitigation information and experiences.

Western Power has been closely monitoring outcomes and findings from the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission (VBRC) and the subsequent establishment of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce (PBST).

Western Power has reviewed all the VBRC and PBST recommendations relating to “electricity caused fires” and is in process of implementing improvements to its bushfire mitigation approach, whilst drawing on the lessons learnt from the Victorian bushfires.

Western Power has already implemented the following recommendations:

Introduction of a new covered conductor in areas of high fire risk, and

Application of the Australian quality training framework for asset inspection training.

The following recommendations are in the process of being implemented;

Ongoing review of the effectiveness of strategies, including a more detailed analysis to understand the underlying and root cause of all fire incidents due to Western Power’s assets, activities and interaction with its network;

Development of fire consequence mapping in association with DFES, and

Installation of additional Automatic Circuit Reclosers over the next 10 years (or earlier). Priority will be given to those in extreme and high fire risk areas. Western Power will continue to explore the cost and benefit of accelerating this program.


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3 Management Reporting

Reporting is undertaken to capture the performance of the network and Western Power’s preparedness for the fire season.

3.1 Ground Fires Incident Register

The reporting system records incidences of ground fires in which Western Power’s assets are the source of ignition through its Trouble Call System (TCS), Electricity Supply Emergency Notification (ESEN) process and Risk Management claims process.

Summarised monthly reports on bushfire performance are provided to executive management and Western Power’s Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

3.2 Bushfire Season Preparedness Indicator

Western Power has established a Bushfire Season Preparedness Indicator to determine bushfire readiness each year. This is a lead indicator that provides a pre-bushfire season risk indicator on the following areas:

Vegetation maintenance activities, in extreme and high BFR zones to be completed on or before November 30 of each year;

Fuse pole clearing activities in extreme and high BFR zones to be completed on or before November 30 of each year; and

Asset maintenance fire starter conditions in extreme and high bushfire zones are to be completed by 30 November of each year. Methodology to prioritise fire starter conditions is detailed in the Bushfire Management Implementation Plan and reported on a monthly basis. Where these conditions are not completed by the 30 November, they are visible to network operators and are factored into operational decision making during high fire risk days.

3.3 Operational Reports

Western Power reports on BMIP programs and activities. Reports include;

Works program reports, including specific asset management projects, vegetation management and asset defect management; and

Post Bushfire Season report to inform future strategies and management plans


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4 Definitions and Acronyms

Table 1: Definitions

Term Definition

Asset Strategy A document highlighting the purpose of an asset, its performance objectives and Western Power’s strategy to meet and sustain its objective.

Bushfire (also ground fires)

This is a general term and includes ground fires, grass fires (including paddock fires), forest fires and scrub fires, i.e. any fire outside the built up urban environment. It is also sometimes known as a wildfire (Environmental Protection Authority 2004).

Bushfire Threat Analysis

Bushfire Threat Analysis is a structured approach used to analyse the bushfire threat for a particular area or nominated set of values and calculate a response or determine priorities for funding or action.

Bushfire Season Preparedness Indicator

A lead indicator that allows Western Power to assess its preparedness for the upcoming bushfire season.

Bushfire Season Period from 1 December to 31 March.

Circuit km A method of measuring conductor length that assess the number of circuits per kilometre (e.g. the circuit length of dual circuit power line spanning 1 km = 2 circuit km)

Fire safe Equipment that is deemed to be in a state that presents a low risk of bushfire ignition potential.

Table 2: Acronyms

Term Definition

BFR Bushfire Risk

BMIP Bushfire Management Implementation Plan

BMP Bushfire Management Plan

BTA Bushfire Threat Analysis

DPaW Department of Parks and Wildlife

DFES Department of Fire and Emergency Services

DM Document Management

ESEN Electricity Supply Emergency Notification

HV High Voltage

LV Low Voltage

NMS Networks Mapping System

NIS Network Investment Strategy

SWIN South West Interconnected Network

SWIS South West Interconnected System

TCS Trouble Call System

VBRC Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission


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Term Definition

PBST Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce

Wires Wires, also called ‘conductors’, are a metal material capable of carrying an electrical current.

4.1 References

Legislation

Bush Fires Act 1954

Conservation and Land Management Act 1984

Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998

Fire Brigades Act 1942

Forest Products Act 2000

Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act 1996

Environmental Protection Act 1986

Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979

The Electricity Act 1945

Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001


DM# 13404417



Appendix A. Western Power Policies Plans and Procedures

Corporate Policies and Plans

DM# 3003489, Corporate Communications Policy

DM# 5623764, Records Management Policy and Procedures

DM# 12059358, Safety, Health and Environment Policy

DM# 4721323, Safety and Health Emergency Response Procedure

DM# 3022037, Crisis Management Plan

DM# 9263593, Electricity Networks Access Code

DM# 4286154, Asset Management Policy

DM# 9929816, Safety and Health Risk Management Procedure

Network Strategies and Plans

DM# 11851565, Distribution Pole Top Fire Mitigation Strategy

DM# 11762572, Distribution Overhead Conductor Failure Mitigation Strategy

DM# 11829820 Distribution Clashing Conductor Failure Strategy

DM# 3009109, Bushfire Risk Assessment Methodology

DM# 9155338, Wood Pole Asset Management Strategy

DM# 12308572, Vegetation Management Strategy

DM# 11001014, Network Management Plan – 2013 - 2018

DM# 10357524 Drop Out Fuse Strategy

DM# 2485883, Procedure – Incident Management Procedure

Network Operating Plans, Manuals and Instructions

DM# 8410516, Network Operation Emergency Management Reference

DM# 7209942, Switching Operators Manual

DM# 2565812, NWI009 – Fire Weather Days

DM# 2767064, NWI052 – Response to Bushfires and DEC Burnoffs

DM# 1530872, NWI080 – Manual Reclosing of Feeders or Reclosers

DM# 3323911, NWI097 – Pole Top Fires Contingency Plan

Bushfire Managment Plan - Western Power · transmission and distribution powerlines and cable and...

Documents

Transcript of Bushfire Managment Plan - Western Power · transmission and distribution powerlines and cable and...