Journal of Geomatics and Environmental Research, Vol. 1, No.

1, December 2018

POWERLINE ELECTRIC HAZARD VULNERABILITY MAPPING: A CASE

STUDY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY,
AKURE, ONDO STATE
1ODUNAIYA A. K., 2IPADEOLA A. O. and 1TUKKA A. A.
1
Surveying and Geoinformatics Dept., Federal University of Technology, Akure
08029277977, 08064046472
[email protected], [email protected].
2
Surveying and Geoinformatics Dept., University of Ilorin, Ilorin
07063404832, [email protected].

Abstract
Electrical power remain one of the driving forces of any meaningful economic development, but
many a times, losses are encountered when disasters befalls as a result of non-compliance to the
standard setback and height clearance provisions of the laws, regulations, and guidelines of the
state for construction of this important infrastructure even in the most prestigious academic
environment like the University. Utilizing the 3-Dimension data gathering surveying traverse
method and GIS approach within the 577.97 hectares of Land of Federal University of
Technology Akure, this research was able to cover about 241 Medium Tension (MT) poles, 28
Medium Tension/ Low Tension, 365 Low Tension (LT) poles and 6 Transformer. This finding
revealed from analysis that the electrical hazard vulnerability (i.e. non-compliance with the
guidelines, regulation and laws of Ondo state) level with respect to the MT poles, with standard
30m buffer, were 52%, 84% and 64% for the residential, institutional and educational buildings
respectively and for that of LT poles were 64%, 69% and 67% of the residential, institutional
and educational buildings respectively with 20m buffer. This study has shown that the
compliance level is discouraging and it was recommended that adequate measures must be put
in place by all relevant authorities of the University and the Benin Electrical Distribution
Companies (BEDC) to forestall possible recurrence of imminent danger therefrom.

Key words: Electricity, Electrocution, Power, Utility Survey, Mapping.

1.0 Introduction

It is no longer news and on several occasions in different locations in Nigeria, including

the revered academic environment and citadel of learning where the elites are domicile,
that electrocution has claimed lives and damages resulting from negligence on the parts
of residence and majorly non-compliance with the standard for constructing
electrification facilities by professionals. Electricity is a vital infrastructure that is
very necessary for the smooth and meaningful development of any nation. It has
brought many marvels in life and the world would seem so hard without it (Govindaraj
and Nailwal, 2013). The prime purpose of an electricity distribution system is to meet
the customer’s demand for energy after receiving the bulk electrical energy from
transmission or sub-transmission substation (Kanmani and Suresh, 2014). Electricity is
basically the flow of electric current. This involves first of all, generation of power,
then its transmission and finally distribution of the electric power to consumers

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(Sule, 2010). In India, the electric power industries have been developing power
transmission system to follow up with a rapid growth of the power demand due to
increasing population pressure on this sector. The electric distribution system is
dedicated to delivering electrical energy to end users (Parkpoom, 2013).

Precautionary measures must be put in place while working in an electrical environment

to avoid electrocution, as anyone can be exposed to the electrical hazards at home or at
work. Workers are exposed to more hazards because job sites can be cluttered with tools
and materials, fast-paced, and open to the weather. Electrical trade workers must pay
special attention to electrical hazards because they work on electrical circuits. Coming
in contact with an electrical voltage can cause current to flow through the body,
resulting in electrical shock and burns leading to serious injury or even death. As a
source of energy, electricity is used without much thought given to the hazards it can
cause. Because electricity is a familiar part of our lives, it is often not treated with
enough caution. As a result, an average of one worker is electrocuted on the job every
day of the year. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries 1992–2005, Electrocution is the fifth leading cause of work-
related deaths for 16 to 19 year olds, after motor vehicle deaths, contact with objects
and equipment, workplace homicide, and falls. Electrocution is the cause of 7% of all
workplace deaths among young workers aged 16–19, causing an average of 10 deaths
per year. Most people do not realize that overhead power lines are usually not insulated.
More than half of all electrocutions are caused by direct worker contact with energized
power lines. Power line workers must be especially aware of the dangers of overhead
lines. In the past, 80% of all linemen deaths were caused by contacting a live wire with
a bare hand. Due to such
incidents, all linemen now wear
special rubber gloves that
protect them up to 36,000 volts.
Today, most electrocutions
involving overhead power lines
are caused by failure to maintain
proper working distances like
standard setback and height
clearance. Shocks and electrocutions occur where physical barriers are not in place to
prevent contact with the wires. When dump trucks, cranes, work platforms, or other
conductive materials (such as pipes and ladders) contact overhead wires, the equipment
operator or other workers can be killed. Where the minimum required standard setback
and height clearance distances from power lines are not maintained, one becomes
susceptible to encountering electric shocked or be killed (see Table1.1, source: FUTA
and Table1.2). However, to control these imminent danger or to reduce it to the barest
minimum, some standard rules and regulation have been put in place to guide the
setbacks of various classes of electrical poles or electrical infrastructures to the closest

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structures which could be a building, a water tank etc. These setback rules and
regulation varies from state to state. Setbacks from physical structures of the various
classes of electrical poles in Ondo State are listed in Table1.2 (Source: the Town and
Country Planning Law CAP 123; the building and subdivision regulations, 1984) below:

Table 1.2: Minimum setback specifications of proposed physical structure.

CLASSES OF MINIMUM SETBACK (m)
ELECTRICAL POLES
High Tension (330/132KV) 50
Medium Tension (33KV) 30
Low Tension (11KV) 20

Electricity distribution is the penultimate stage in the delivery (before retail) of

electricity to the end users. It is generally considered to include medium-voltage (less
than 50 kV) power lines, electrical substations and pole-mounted transformers, low-
voltage (less than 1KV) distribution wiring and sometimes electricity meters. To better
understand how the generated power gets to the final consumers a brief comprehensive
explanation was given in the International Technical Sciences Journal (ITSJ) in 2014,
which stated that the Electric power is normally generated at 11-25kV in the power
station and transmit over long distances, it is then stepped-up to 400kV, 220kV or
132kV as necessary. Power is carried through a transmission network of high voltage
lines. Usually, these lines run into hundreds of kilometers and deliver the power into a
common power pool called the grid. The grid is connected to load centers (cities)
through a sub transmission network of normally 33kV (or sometimes 66kV) lines.
These lines terminate into a 33kV (or 66kV) substation, where the voltage is stepped-
down to 11kV for power distribution to load points through a distribution network of
lines at 11kV and lower. The power network, which generally concerns the common
man, is the distribution network of 11kV lines or feeders downstream of the 33kV
substation. Each 11kV feeder which emanates from the 33kV substation branches
further into several subsidiary 11kV feeders to carry power close to the load points
(localities, industrial areas, villages, etc.,). At these load points, a transformer further
reduces the voltage from 11kV to 415V to provide the last-mile connection through
415V feeders (also called as Low Tension (LT) feeders) to individual customers, either
at 240V (as single-phase supply) or at 415V (as three phase supply). A feeder could be
either an overhead line or an underground cable. In urban areas, owing to the density of
customers, the length of an 11kV feeder is generally up to 3 km. On the other hand, in
rural areas, the feeder length is much larger (up to 20 km). A 415V feeder should
normally be restricted to about 0.5-1.0 km. unduly long feeder’s lead to low voltage at
the consumer end. Electrical power lines are usually classified into high, medium and
low voltage lines. High voltage lines form the transmission line network that transports
energy at over 100kV from generating power plants to electrical substations located

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near demand centers. Medium voltage lines (typically below 50kV) and low voltage
lines (less than 1kV) form the distribution line network, which carries electricity from
the transmission system and delivers it to consumers for maximum utilization.

Electrical utilities requires an efficient way to monitor and maintain their

infrastructure that enhances the operations and extend the life of their assets or
notify them of potential asset failure. For effective asset management, utilities need
accurate information feeding of their asset inventory. Electrical power lines mapping,
as an aspect of Utility survey, means the act of actual observation of the utilities and the
network structure installed for the transmission and or distribution of those utilities
within a particular area. The utility in this context is electricity: a public utility that
serves useful purposes to the common persons. A utility pole is a column or post used to
support overhead power lines and various other public utilities, such as cable, fibre optic
cable, and related equipment such as transformers and street lights. It can be referred to
as a transmission pole, telephone pole, telecommunication pole, power pole, hydro pole,
telegraph pole, or telegraph post, depending on its application. A stobie pole is a multi-
purpose pole made of two steel joists held apart by a slab of concrete in the middle,
generally found in South Australia.

Electrical cable is routed overhead on utility poles as an inexpensive way to keep it

insulated from the ground and out of the way of people and vehicles. Utility poles can
be made of wood, metal, concrete, or composites like fiberglass. They are used for two
different types of power lines; sub transmission lines, which carry higher voltage power
between substations, and distribution lines, which distribute lower voltage power to
customers. The standard utility pole, according to Florida Public Service Commission
2008, is about 40 feet (12m) long and is buried about 6 feet (2m) in the ground.
However, poles can reach heights of 120 feet (37m) or more to satisfy clearance
requirements. They are typically spaced about 125 feet (38m) apart in urban areas, or
about 300 feet (91m) in rural areas, but distances vary widely based on terrain. Joint-use
poles are usually owned by one utility, which leaves space on it for other cables. In the
United States, the National Electrical Safety Code, published by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (not to be confused with the National
Electrical Code published by the National Fire Protection Agency [NFPA]), sets the
standards for construction and maintenance of utility poles and their equipment.

Electrical facilities are installed on daily basis for private, commercial and industrial
purposes all over the country, and the location of this infrastructure is of critical
importance to those who wish to embark on standard building/structure construction.
To the average citizens, the standard setback of these electrical poles to the nearest
structure and their frequent maintenance rarely crosses their mind. Meanwhile, any
unconscious or deliberate attempt to defy meaningful adherence to the standard required
for installation of this facility could be disastrous, causing electrocution and some other

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incident of electrical accident. Where similar challenges arise, mapping remain a

veritable mean of geospatial representation to succinctly depict the real world in a much
readable flat or curve surface, depending on the projection surface adopted.

Map is a representation on plane or curve surface showing not only the natural and
cultural geospatial features, but also other information on the surface of the earth. A
map is a visual representation of an area depicting the geospatial representation of
features (i.e. natural and man-made) of the earth’s surface on a plane or curve surface at
a particular scale. Power line mapping generally deals with the determination of various
positions of all possible power line poles of various classifications within an area.
Powerlines electric hazard vulnerability mapping thus becomes necessary to demystify
the level of threat posed by electricity.

1.1 STUDY AREA

The area of study covers the whole of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo
state with the total area of 577.97 hectares whose boundary plan is on a scale of 1:5000,
its geographic coordinate lies between latitude 7˚18’55.15’’ and 7˚17’42.617’’,
longitude 5˚07’01.57’’ to 5˚08’30.486’’ of the WGS84 Zone 31N Minna datum
coordinate system (see Fig1.1 and 1.2 below).

Fig1.1: Google earth imagery of FUTA in Akure south

Fig1.2: Map showing Akure south in Ondo state in Nigeria.

2.0 Statement of Problem

Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), like many university communities in

Nigeria, records consistent increasing population yearly and thus the need for increasing
and upgrading of the electrical infrastructures within the community to meet up with the
increasing demand. However, this positive development comes with its inherent
negative threats as it was recorded in the study area in year 2013 that fire outbreak
occurred due to poor connection of electrical network. Similarly in 2015 at the
university of Lagos, where a student was electrocuted by a dangling wire from an
electrical pole. These series of threat could be resulting from inadequate maintenance of

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the facilities, damages caused by poor vegetation monitoring, non-compliance to the

standard of facility installation, etc. Therefore if efforts are not made to carry out a
comprehensive mapping of the electrical powerlines and identification of hotspot within
the study area, chances are that disaster recurrence is imminent.

3.0 Methodology

The methodology used is best summarized in a flow chat of standard surveying

operation (see Fig. 3.1). At the preliminary stage where all that was needed for a
successful actualization of the project is the reconnaissance operation, followed by the
proper control checks on the existing control stations within the study area. The required
field geospatial data was acquired using the traverse
observation method (traversing), and with the total station
on a reflectorless mode for proper execution. In order to
bisect physical structures, the needs for the usual reflector
mode was not necessary except during changing of stations
(TP). The 3-Dimention (X, Y and Z) data were acquired
using Open traversing techniques. Open traversing is a
series of measured distances and angles that is not
geometrically nor mathematically close or where such
surveying traverse fails to terminate at the starting station.
The fundamental principle of working from whole to parts
(i.e. known to unknown) in any surveying operations
prevails at this stage. Thus, the traverse operation
commenced from an established control pillars (FUTA
SVG/13/02) which serves as the occupied point on which
total station was set, necessary temporary adjustment
(levelling, centering, and focusing) was carried out, after Fig. 3.1: Methodology
which the telescope of the instrument was turned to bisect the
flowchart
target set on the back station i.e. (FUTA GPS2.) The instrument was then tilted and
rotated to bisect every available and visible electrical infrastructure such as electrical
poles(peak and bottom),transformers and electrical wires as well as roads and gutters,
inasmuch as they are within the range of 80m: which is the reflectorless mode
maximum range. The telescope is
Table 3.1: Control Points Used
again tilted and rotated to bisect a
target (reflector) placed on a
temporary point (TP1) chosen
while ensuring intervisibility.
After these, the instrument is
packed and carried with care to
prevent vibration to TP1, all
temporary adjustment carried

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out on the instrument at this new station. The telescope of the instrument was
immediately tilted and rotated to bisect the targets at backsight station (FUTA
SVG/13/02). After these, every available electrical infrastructure and other cultural
features within the maximum range of the instrument was again bisected while
observing the standard setback and height clearance provisions from the poles according
to the specification guidelines (see Table 1.1 and Table 1.2). This whole procedure was
repeated until the whole study area was covered while carrying out control check on all
available controls within the institution. During the field work different ID’s were given
to the electrical poles depending on their various types with the assistance of the
electrical officials and the departmental technicians in order to aid the field procedure
within the institution as follows: LT: Low Tension, MT: Medium Tension, LTB: Low
Tension Bottom, LTP: Low Tension Peak, WLT: Wire Low Tension, LTE: Low
Tension Earthen, MTP: Medium Tension Peak, MTB: Medium Tension Bottom, MTE:
Medium Tension Earthen, WMT: Wire Medium Tension, RD: Road, ST: Setback, TP:
Temporary Point, and TR: Transformer. This prefixes was what informs the point’s
identification for data processing.

4.0 Results and Discussion

Data were downloaded, processed and plotted in the AutoCAD 2015 and ArcScene 10.2
software environment to produce the 2-dimentional and 3-dimentional geospatial map
of the study area respectively (see Fig 4.1 and Fig. 4.2 below).

Fig 4.1: 2-D planimetric map of powerline within FUTA using AutoCAD2015

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Fig 4.2: 3-D Model of powerline within FUTA using Arcscene 10.2.
Buffering analysis remain a veritable tool to spatially depict and check the level of
vulnerability or compliance and influence of the poles (i.e. point features) and electrical
cables (i.e. linear features) source within a specified radius. Thus by taking cognizance
of the setback and height clearance specification, a 30m and 20m setback buffer radius
of influence from both Medium Tension (MT) poles and Low Tension (LT) associated
poles to the building respectively were done using ArcGIS 10.2 software (See Fig. 4.3-
4.5 below). This to determine whether the available structures within the institution
comply with the standard guidelines guiding the various classification of electrical poles
within Ondo State (See Table 1.1 and Table 1.2 above). The respective setback results
have shown that within the 30m MT buffer, 25 buildings were identified which were in
conformity with the standard guidelines, while 36 buildings fall within the 20m LT
buffer. At this point, it is important to note that the building structures were classified
into three based on their usage; Residential, Institutional, and Educational building.
Table 1.4 below shows the empirical analysis of buildings within the buffered distances
for compliance or otherwise. From this analysis, out of the 133 buildings which
setbacks were observed to each poles within the project site, there are 61 Residential
buildings, 34 Institutional buildings, and 38 Educational buildings.
Table 4.1: Analysis of Building Types & Vulnerability percentile within the Buffered
zones
Building Type No of Complia Non- No of Compli Non-
(Total) MT nce complian LT ance complia Total
Poles Percenta ce Total Poles Percen nce
Out of ge (%) (Vulnera Out of tage (Vulner (%)
30m bility) (%) 20m (%) ability)
setback Percentag setback Percent
e (%) age (%)
Residential(61) 12 48 52 100 13 36 64 100

Institutional(34) 4 16 84 100 11 31 69 100

Educational(38) 9 36 64 100 12 33 67 100

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For LT Poles; Around Residential Buildings, total of 13 LT Poles complies with 20m buffer i.e.
36% not vulnerable (compliance) with the acquired setback guidelines of the state and 64%
vulnerable (non-compliance). Around Institutional Buildings, 11 LT Poles complies with 20m
buffer i.e. 31% not vulnerable (compliance) and 69% vulnerable (non-compliance). Around
Educational Buildings, 12 LT Poles complies with 20m buffer i.e. 33% not vulnerable
(compliance) and 67% vulnerable (non-compliance). Fig 4.3: Vulnerability Buffer Analysis Map of
Low Tension Distribution within FUTA

COMPLIANCE CHART OF
COMPLIANCE CHART COMPLIANCE CHART OF LOW LOW TENSION POLES
TENSION POLES TO TO EDUCATIONAL
OF LOW TENSION
INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING
POLES TO RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
BUILDING NON- NON-
NON- COMPLIANCE
COMPLIA COMPLIANCE
NCE 31% COMPLIANCE 67%
33% COMPLIANCE
36% COMPLIA
64% NCE 69%

Fig 4.3: Vulnerability Buffer Analysis Map of LT Poles Distribution Line & Building
Types compliance, FUTA

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For MT Poles; Around Residential Buildings, total of 12 MT Poles complies with 30m
buffer i.e. 48% not vulnerable (compliance) with the acquired setback guidelines of the
state and 52% vulnerable (non-compliance). Around Institutional Buildings, 4 MT Poles
complies with 30m buffer (i.e. 16% not vulnerable (compliance) and 84% vulnerable
(non-compliance). Around Educational Buildings, 9 MT Poles complies with 30m
buffer i.e. 36% not vulnerable (compliance) and 64% vulnerable (non-compliance).

Fig 4.4: Vulnerability Buffer Analysis Map of MT Poles Distribution Line & Building
Types compliance, FUTA

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COMPLIANCE CHART OF MEDIUM TENSION TO INSTITUTIONAL

BUILDING

16%
NON COMPLIANCE

COMPLIANCE
84%

COMPLIANCE CHART OF COMPLIANCE CHART OF MEDIUM

MEDIUM TENSION TO TENSION POLES TO EDUCATIONAL
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING BUILDING

NON-
52% COMPLIANCE NON-
48% 36% 64% COMPLIANCE
COMPLIANCE
COMPLIANCE

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Figure 4.5: Composite Buffer Analysis Map of MT & LT electrification Poles

Distribution Lines in FUTA

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Figure 4.6: Electricity Hazard Vulnerability Map within FUTA

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

In all, the spatial analysis has shown that there is electrical hazard vulnerability in the
study area is on the high side because of non-compliance with the guidelines, laws and
regulatory provisions. It is hereby recommended that physical barriers should be placed
to prevent direct contact with the electric wires at some identified hot-zones, while other
adequate measures must be put in place by all relevant authorities of the university and
the Benin Electric Distribution Company (BEDC) to forestall possible recurrence of
imminent danger which could result therefrom.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledged, with utmost gratitude, Omitoogun Temidayo, Olomu Joel,
Andero Olumide and Ogunmakin Ibukunoluwa for assisting in the collection of raw
geospatial and attribute data. The authors also acknowledged the unremitting supports
the members of staff of Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Federal
University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State for allowing the use of
departmental equipment.

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