ladwp transformer fire
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LADWP Transformer Fire. 956 Seward St., Los Angeles California. Conducting The Investigation. Observe, document and evaluate all of the physical evidence available Obtain all available witness statements and observations Obtain all other relevant data (weather, alarm, etc.) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
LADWP Transformer Fire
956 Seward St., Los Angeles California956 Seward St., Los Angeles California
Conducting The Investigation
Observe, document and evaluate all of the physical evidence available
Obtain all available witness statements and observations
Obtain all other relevant data (weather, alarm, etc.)
Determine the area of fire origin
Evaluate sources of ignition within the area of fire origin
Evaluate all possible scenarios and determine the most viable hypothesis that is consistent with the physical evidence, witness observations, relevant data
Los Angeles Fire Department Investigation Report
Date of Loss: December 17,2002
Time: 0014 Hrs
Location: 956 Seward St., Los Angeles CA.
Incident #: 0014
Cause: Undetermined
Comments: Most Probable Cause: Transformer Fire/Boiling Oil Ignited Roof Material
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Date 12/16/2002 12/16/2002 12/17/2002
Time 10:47 11:47 00:47
Sky Few-Broken Clear Scattered-Overcast
Visibility 8 miles 9 miles 10 miles
Temperature 550F. 530F. 530F.
Weather Rain (Trace)*
Humidity 93 96 93
Wind Speed 3 3 0
Wind Direction Variable Variable
Data from USC campus, downtown Los Angeles*1.94” Rain from 1:00pm-6:00pm and .02” rain from 10:00pm-11:00p
LADWP Transformer Fire
956 Seward St., Los Angeles California956 Seward St., Los Angeles California
Pre-fire Aerial View
Skylights
LADWP Transformer Fire
956 Seward St., Los Angeles California956 Seward St., Los Angeles California
Post-fire Aerial View
LADWP Transformer Fire
NORTH
Sew
ard
St.
Romaine St
Hudso
n
Av.
956 Seward St., Los Angeles California956 Seward St., Los Angeles California
LADWP Transformer Bank
LADWP Transformer Fire
956 Seward St., Los Angeles California956 Seward St., Los Angeles California
Area of Fire Origin
2nd Floor Building Plan View
LADWP Transformer Fire
North side of the building (Looking East)
LADWP Transformer BankContaining 3 Transformers
956 Seward St., Los Angeles California956 Seward St., Los Angeles California
Security Camera
956 Seward St., Los Angeles California956 Seward St., Los Angeles California
Security Camera (Looking Northeast)
The surrounding apartments appear to be dark.
The intense light from the N/E corner of the intersection remains.
(2 seconds after the explosion)
Possible Scenarios
An Electrical Failure in the Building Caused aMassive Arc-Fault in Transformer?
No reported evidence of failure(s) in secondary transformers providing power to the building.
The transformer failed prior to any evidence of fire in the building.
There is no physical evidence to support this theory.
PrimaryTransformer powerPrimaryTransformer power
PolePolePolePole
Secondary transformersProvide building powerSecondary transformersProvide building power
This hypothesesThis hypotheses
can be eliminatedcan be eliminated
An Electrical Failure in the Building Caused a
Massive Arc-Fault in Transformer