TOOLS 24 - CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

Question 0

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

In the starting stance, keep your body to the ________ of the chain and never ________ the saw or _______ across the chain.

Answer 0

In the starting stance, keep your body to the LEFT of the chain and never STRADDLE the saw or LEAN across the chain.

Question 1

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

POLICY

Except for _____________ operations, the chain saw is not to be used for the ventilation or overhauling of structural fires

Answer 1

PIER FIRE

Except for pier fire operations, the chain saw is not to be used for the ventilation or overhauling of structural fires.

Question 2

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

In the starting stance, what are the hand positions?

Answer 2

Left hand - hold the handlebar on top behind the hand guard

Right hand - pull starter grip straight up

Question 3

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

In the operating stance, which arm is kept in the “straight arm” position?

Answer 3

LEFT ARM

Left arm kept in “straight arm” position to withstand any kickback force

Question 4

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

In the operating stance, the body is alway kept to the ________ of the chain.

Answer 4

LEFT

In the operating stance, the body is always kept to the LEFT of the chain.

Question 5

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

TRUE/FALSE

A member using the saw is allowed to lightly overextend as long as they maintain balance and my cut objects above chest high.

Answer 5

FALSE

• Do not overextend or cut while off balance.
• Do not attempt cutting above chest height.

Question 6

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

At what speed should the saw be running before allowing the chain to touch the wood?

Answer 6

FULL SPEED

• Hold saw near log and throttle up to full speed just before allowing chain to touch wood.

Question 7

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

When operating on slopes, the chain saw operator must always stand on the ________ side of the tree/log when cutting.

Answer 7

UPHILL

When operating on slopes, the chain saw operator must always stand on the UPHILL side of the tree/log when cutting.

Question 8

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

Start cuts with “bumper spike” against the wood and keep it there. Let the chain saw do the cutting. While firmly holding the saw, use the bumper spike for leverage as you slowly rock the saw in upward motions.

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

When does the operator release the throttle trigger of the chainsaw?

Answer 9

The moment the chain breaks clean of the object.

Question 10

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

What is pull-in?

Answer 10

Pull-in is when the chain on the bottom of the bar is suddenly stopped (by being pinched), the reaction of the saw pulls the chain forward and may cause the operator to lose balance.

Question 11

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

When does pull-in occur?

Answer 11

• frequently occurs when the bumper spike is not held securely against the tree or limb.
• chain is not rotating at full speed when it comes in contact with wood.

Question 12

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

How do you avoid pull-in?

Answer 12

• always start cut with chain running at full speed and bumper spikes in contact with the wood
• uses wedges to open the kerf or cut

Question 13

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

What is pushback and when does it occur?

Answer 13

• cutting the underside of a log or limb with the top side of the chain, the tip will be pushed out towards the operator
• the top of the bar is suddenly stopped when it is pinched, caught or encounters a foreign object in the wood.

Question 14

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

How does the operator compensate for pushback?

Answer 14

To compensate for this force, keep your left arm stiff and maintain constant pressure against log with the saw. Release the throttle trigger immediately after chain breaks clean.

Question 15

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

Tips to avoiding pushback?

Answer 15

• be alert to forces and situations that may pinch top of chain
• do not cut more than one log at a time
• do not twist the saw when withdrawing from an underbuck cut because the chain can pinch

Question 16

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

GENERAL RULES

What does the “kerf” refer to?

Answer 16

The kerf is the space left behind the cutting blade as it cuts

Question 17

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

SAW OPERATIONS

How big a radius is the circle of danger and who is allowed to operate within it?

Answer 17

10ft radius

The saw operator and control person will be the only personnel in this area during cutting.

Officer is to monitor conditions and relay orders received from the officer in command. If possible, officer is positioned as to permit visual contact with the control person.

Question 18

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

SAW OPERATIONS

Where is the positioning of the control man during saw operations?

Answer 18

• The control member should be positioned as to permit easy visual contact with the operator maintaining a safe distance from the saw.
• The control member must maintain a sufficient distance, from the member using the saw, as to prevent any possible contact with the saw. The possibility of kickback or movement of the operator must be taken into consideration.
• If possible, this member is to maintain a visual contact with the officer.

Question 19

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

SAW OPERATIONS

Members outside the circle of danger are to be deployed as required, what are some of their duties?

Answer 19

• monitoring incident for changing condition
• relief
• assist in refueling
• pedestrian and crowd control

Question 20

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

SAW OPERATIONS

Where is the saw refueling area locating?

Answer 20

Outside the circle of danger

Question 21

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

SAW OPERATIONS

What are the two reasons the officer must rotate members in saw cutting operations?

Answer 21

• reduce individual exposure to high noise levels

- prevent operator fatigue.

Question 22

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

OPERATION PRECAUTIONS

TRUE/FALSE

Members must secure an object that has fallen against a structure before cutting it.

Answer 22

FALSE

• Do not attempt cutting an object which has fallen against a structure and is now supported by it.
• If a branch, tree section or other object is hanging, leaning or otherwise damaged members are to prevent access to the danger area by unauthorized persons. If practical, the object should be stabilized by lashing or shoring. The cutting down of it is not to be attempted

Question 23

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS

OPERATION PRECAUTIONS

Trees are ________ conductors of electricity.

Answer 23

GOOD

Trees are GOOD conductors of electricity.

Question 24

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS OPERATION PRECAUTIONS Where is the most dangerous kickback zone located on the saw?

Answer 24

Upper 90 degree quadrant

Question 25

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS OPERATION PRECAUTIONS A ________ chain saw is an extremely dangerous tool.

Answer 25

DULL A DULL chainsaw is an extremely dangerous tool.

Question 26

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS CUTTING VARIATIONS What is a rip cut?

Answer 26

A rip cut is when you cut straight down on the overhanging end of a log (past the fulcrum point).

Question 27

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS CUTTING VARIATIONS How do you cut wood that is supported on both ends (2 fulcrum points)?

Answer 27

1 - If practical, support wood on both sides of cut near the planned location and make a rip cut Or 2 - Cut 1/2 - 3/4" of the diameter downward, Finish cut by cutting upward the remaining portion.

Question 28

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS CUTTING VARIATIONS What is limbing?

Answer 28

Limbing is the removing of branches from a fallen tree.

Question 29

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS CUTTING VARIATIONS TRUE/FALSE There is an extreme danger of kickback during the limbing operation. Do not work with the nose of the bar. Be extremely cautious and avoid contacting the log or other limbs with the nose of the guide bar. Do not stand on a log while limbing it - you may slip off or the log may roll.

Answer 29

TRUE

Question 30

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS CUTTING VARIATIONS Be extremely cautious when cutting limbs or logs under tension. The limbs or logs could spring back toward the operator and cause loss of control of the saw and severe or fatal injury to the operator.

Answer 30

TRUE

Question 31

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS CUTTING VARIATIONS What is bucking?

Answer 31

Bucking is cutting a log into sections.

Question 32

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS CUTTING VARIATIONS During bucking, stand on the log to get a better vantage point and cut area.

Answer 32

FALSE When bucking, do not stand on the log. Make sure the log will not roll downhill. If on a slope, stand on the uphill side of the log.

Question 33

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS TRUE/FALSE Chain saws are permitted to be used on a ladder.

Answer 33

FALSE Saw shall not be operated from a ladder.

Question 34

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS While operating the chain saw, the operator and control person shall wear the following NFPA approved protective equipment:

Answer 34

- long sleeved work duty shirt or bunker coat - Helmet - eye protection - ear protection - gloves - bunker boots - chaps

Question 35

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Chaps must be worn over __________, chaps shall never be worn over __________.

Answer 35

Chaps must be worn over long pants or bunker pants, chaps shall never be worn over shorts.

Question 36

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE When repairs to the saw are required, unit is to forward saw to __________ with a ________.

Answer 36

TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION WITH A RT-2 When repairs to the saw are required, unit is to forward saw to TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION with a RT-2.

Question 37

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE When is the chain saw required to be tested and who establishes the schedule.

Answer 37

Chainsaws are required to be tested weekly and the schedule is to be established by the company commander.

Question 38

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE When are bar oil levels checked?

Answer 38

Bar oil levels are checked prior to cutting operations and replenished as required during cutting.

Question 39

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE When is the air filter cleaned?

Answer 39

The air filter is cleaned and examined after each cutting operation.

Question 40

CHAIN SAW OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE Chains requiring resharpening are to be forwarded to _______ with a ________.

Answer 40

TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION WITH A RT-2 Chains requiring resharpening are to be forwarded to TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION with a RT-2.