Speaking as a firefighter I would say that the dangers to firefighters from live medium voltage circuits is often over stated. Test conducted with fire hose streams applied to high voltage lines demonstrated that even at utility distribution voltages the stream has to reach the conductors while it is still a continuous flow of water and before breaking over into spray and the stream must also be within a relatively short throw to be capable of conducting dangerous currents. Remember that the code is intended to provide for the "practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity." It is not practical to attempt to anticipate any and all abnormal conditions that could lead to additional hazard.
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Tom H
