Learning Points: Demolition contractor electrical flashover

We have a UK Power Networks Learning points case study to share with you below.

The subject of the case study is "Demolition contractor electrical flashover" and it's applicable to persons involved in demolition activities. Here are the details:

A demolition contractor forced the door of a low voltage circuit breaker cubicle open using a metal crowbar. In doing so, the crowbar went across the terminals of the three phase service and caused a flashover that seriously burnt the individual and set the building on fire.

The factory on this site was redundant, but the 11,000 volt substation and low voltage service on site were live. No request to disconnect the substation and electricity service was made by the property owner when the factory closed down. Power was still being used on the site, but at a reduced level.

The demolition contractor had requested and had been provided a quotation to disconnect the substation and low voltage service, but had not accepted the terms of the contract or paid for the work to be undertaken. They were fully aware that the substation and services were "live."


The impact of this chain of events was the injured person received life-changing burns to his hands and face.

The demolition company who employed the injured person is under investigation by the HSE for breaches of health and safety legislation.

The learning points from this incident are as follows:

• Never assume any electrical plant or cables on a site are dead unless proven so.
• The CDM Regulations require utilities are disconnected prior to demolition commencing.
• The Electricity at Work regulations require employers to adopt safe system of work to ensure electricity plant is safe before work commences on it.

Gas explosion bursts through London pavement, sends fireball into the air

After the recent bombing in Boston everyone can be forgiven for being a bit on edge. So not one, but three explosions in London has caused some upset. However, these explosions weren't performed by terrorists, they were in fact gas explosions.

They occurred on Pimloco Road due to a power cable bursting. The first was powerful enough to burst through the pavement slabs. The second hurled a fireball into the air through the freshly made hole, while the third was just another explosion with no further fireballs appearing from the ground.

The cable is owned by UK Power Networks and the burst line meant 1,867 customers were without power. But the real issue is how lucky it was no one got hurt. If someone had been walking along that part of the pavement when the first explosion hit, they could have been seriously injured.

Source: The Telegraph

The demolition of Ricborough power station

Back in March of this year C&D Consultancy acted as demolition consultants to UK Power Networks. The demolition project was the Ricborough Power Station.

What we didn't realize until now is that a short documentary video had been created showing off the implosion taking place. It was a successful project, and one shown off very well in the footage above.

Richborough cooling towers and chimney demolition

Normally John would not be near Ramsgate on a Saturday night and up with the lark on a Sunday morning, but this weekend was an exception as he was at the explosive demolition of Richborough cooling towers and chimney.

The demolition work was carried out by DDS Demolition Limited with the explosive demolition by Keltbray’s Mick Williams and Holly Bennett. C&D involvement was as demolition consultant to UK Power Networks, whose switchgear was adjacent to the towers.

It was an unusual role for C&D on a blowdown as John was virtually a spectator auditing the procedures of DDS and Keltbray to provide re-assurance to UK Power Networks that all would go to plan, and it did.

Congratulations to all at DDS and Keltbray on a textbook implosion.



More information and further video footage available at BBC News