TOOLS 9/Portable Power Saw

Question 1

Carbide Tip Blades cut …?

Answer 1

gravel and tar covered roofs

• wood flooring
• LIGHT SHEET METAL
• similar material

Do NOT use on - metal security doors, auto bodies, metal window bars and case hardened locks

life span of blade is SHORT

FULL RPM before contacting surface with blade
-do not over extended or reach forward past point of balance
slight BACK AND FORTH will widen cut and PREVENT blade form binding
-maintain saw at FULL RPM

CARBIDE TIP OOS:

• 8 or more tips broke/missing from 24 tooth blade
• 3 or more tips broke/missing from 12 tooth blade
• blade is cracked
• center hole wears out of round

Question 2

ALUMINUM OXIDE Blades and silicon carbide (abrasive disc)

Answer 2

aluminum oxide

• various types of STEEL, including auto bodies
• metal security doors/metal window bars
• LOW speed when contacting material then gradually increased as disc cuts into material

silicion carbide : painted yellow on both sides
masonry /concrete
-LOW speed when contacting material then gradually increased as disc cuts into material

ABRASIVE OOs:
-cracked or badly nicked
-center hole wears out of round
disc worn to 8 inches in diameter or less

Question 3

Fuel tank sufficient for ?

Answer 3

20-30 minutes of CONTINUOUS OPERATION

• gas and oil mixture
• 1 BOTTLE OF 2.6oz cycle oil to 1 gallon fresh gasoline

Question 4

Inspection and Maintenance …

Answer 4

-beginning of each tour AND MUD
Routine field maintenance :
-change blades
-refuel tank
adjust tension of belt 
-clean exterior of saw

-test saw in safe area
-shake VIGOROUSLY to mix fuel/oil
-blades must be kept tight on saw
ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE RUN WITHOUT AIR FILTER

Question 5

Have a plan of action ?

Answer 5

BEFORE starting the saw:

• location and sequence of cuts and openings
• wind direction-effect on exposures and men
• safe means of egress

Question 6

Whenever POSSIBLE, team of 2 members should perform cutting operations…

Answer 6

• complete PPE
• gloves on and goggles in place… goggles should be attached to saw carrying handle

-OFFICER should select best method compatible with circumstances

Question 7

Guide can assist Operator by…

Answer 7

GUIDE will stand to rear of operator and grasp guide device with ONE HAND

• hold metal snap portion of life belt or safety harness worn by the operator for guidance
• may also use CARRYING SLING

note: technique of backing up and cutting (to avoid cutting feet) should practiced in quarters (WITHOUT SAW BEING STARTED )

Question 8

Guide and Operator physical communications?

Answer 8

ONE SLAP on back- STOP CUT

TWO SLAPS on back- CUT

THREES SLAPS on back- shut down saw

Question 9

Circle of Danger?

Answer 9

20 foot radius ….MEASURED FROM POINT WHERE THE BLADE OF SAW IS IN OPERATION

• ONLY OFFICER (chain saw is only operator and guideman), OPERATOR and GUIDEMAN
• Operator should not bring a “live saw” into a position that puts other members within Circle of Danger

ALL MEMBERS in IMMEDIATE area of cutting ops shall wear full PPE…also applies while testing the saw or drills…

Wear safety goggles and eye shields DOWN

Question 10

When present____should control saw operations?

Answer 10

OFFICER

Question 11

BEFORE moving from one position to anther…

Answer 11

DISENGAGE CLUTCH…RELEASE TRIGGER…PLACE BLADE ON FLAT SURFACE TO STOP BLADE FROM SPINNING…..keep blade on surface and ROLL saw to next assignment…guide will hold operator and the two should proceed in unison…

-when maneuvering over obstacles, hoselines, etc…return saw blade to surface ASAP

Question 12

The saw should ALWAYS be shut down when unattended?

Answer 12

ALWAYS

-shut down when moving to distant areas…level to level

GUNNING the saw while OPERATOR is standing by or moving to a new position is NOT PERMITTED

Question 13

Saw cut should be as deep as necessary…

Answer 13

-deep cuts may weaken supporting beams and lead to collapse

Saw should NEVER be forced

Question 14

When saw is used on OTHER THAN HORIZONTAL SURFACE…

Answer 14

blade guard should be moved and secured to protect operator
used in this position ONLY DIRECT ORDER/SUPERVISION of OFFICER

use of power saw from LADDER (exception being TOWERL LADDER) is NOT RECOMMENDED if there is another alternative

Question 15

REFUELING?

Answer 15

NEVER refuel while saw is running

• tilt saw away from engine
• use funnel
• engine may be hot

Question 16

When is the only time the saw is lifted with BLADE TURNING?

Answer 16

when starting or completing a cut

• before cutting, survey area for escape route
• preferably , saws STARTED in smoke free area ,close to point of operation

Question 17

Boxer stance…

Answer 17

18-20 INCHES apart

Question 18

Initial Cut…

Answer 18

Carbide blade- rev up saw-FULL RPM BEFORE contacting material…maintain full RPM while cutting

Abrasive Disc–low speed before contact…speed gradually increased as disc cuts into the material…then to full throttle

Question 19

Initial Cut…

Answer 19

Carbide blade- rev up saw-FULL RPM BEFORE contacting material…maintain full RPM while cutting

Abrasive Disc–low speed before contact…speed gradually increased as disc cuts into the material…then to full throttle

Question 20

Operators feet is NEVER Placed BETWEEN?

Answer 20

2 CUTS

-or between one cut and unsupported end

Question 21

Beams run the ____side of building, usually ____on center?

Answer 21

SHORT SIDE
16”

-roof boards run perpendicular to beams, usually front to rear

Question 22

Good indication of cut on a beam?

Answer 22

SPARKS
-move saw to INSIDE of cut

If resistance is met while cutting perpendicular to beams, lift saw, continue cut, but avoid a deep cut into beams

Question 23

Roof:

Beams run the ____side of building, usually ____on center?

Answer 23

SHORT SIDE
16”

-roof boards run perpendicular to beams, usually front to rear

Question 24

Good indication of cut on a beam?

Answer 24

SPARKS
-move saw to INSIDE of cut

If resistance is met while cutting perpendicular to beams, lift saw, continue cut, but avoid a deep cut into beams

Question 25

A hook , brought to roof of taxpayer can be used efficiently to push down double ceilings, open returns?

Answer 25

10 FOOT hook

Question 26

Examining cockloft, preferably by?

Answer 26

FROM FLOOR BELOW OPENING CEILINGS on Top floor (faster and less damaging ) -when other than exploratory hole made, hose line should be in readiness -at times, it may be necessary to initiate interior ventilation to maintain satisfactory operating conditions FROM ROOF: If this is not possible, TRIANGULAR openings on roof (size of saw blade) -cockloft observed by opening returns between the roof and the top floor -caution should be exercise when choosing returns, returns REMOTE FROM FIRE AREA SHOULD BE AVOIDED

Question 27

Saw Sling MUST be removed before starting saw

Answer 27

Silicon Carbide Blade- BOTH sides painted YELLOW

Question 28

Saw Sling MUST be removed before starting saw

Answer 28

Silicon Carbide and Aluminum OXIDE Blades are similar looking: Silicon Carbide Blade- BOTH sides painted YELLOW Aluminum Oxide is unpainted

Question 29

ROOF CUTTING:

Answer 29

HOT SPOTS - soft spots /tar bubbles - melting snow or ice - wet roof--steam or dry area - soil pipes, vent pipes, hot to touch -saw is designed so that rooF BOARDS and coverings shall be cut in ONE OPERATION , sometimes cut can be lifted in one piece

Question 30

if excessive resistance to the saw is encountered, cut may be on BEAM...SPARKS ARE GOOD INDICATOR

Answer 30

Move saw to INSIDE of the cut -if resistance is met when cutting PERPENDICULAR to roof beams , lift the saw , continue to cut, but AVOID DEEP CUT INTO BEAMS

Question 31

FRESH SMOKE coming from the area of the saw blade and SLOWING of the blade usually indicates TOO DEEP a cut through HEAVY MATERIAL.

Answer 31

remove the saw from the cut, rev up the saw up to max RPM and being a slightly shallower cut, if this does not work, check the blade

Question 32

' COFFIN CUT'

Answer 32

-CUT 1- 3 FEET CUT 2- KNOCKOUT CUT CUT 3- 6 FEET CUT 4-7- 3 FEET - make sure roof is not opened before it is completely cut - push down ceiling to complete ventilation

Question 33

COMBO METAL/CONCRETE (DIAMOND BLADE)

Answer 33

-Forcible entry saw (will replace aluminum oxide/silicon carbide) -12 inch diameter -cuts case hardened lock, chain link fence, rebar, security gates, car doors, stucco, concrete , stone, BULLETPROOF GLASS, plastic pipe can cut wood, NOT RECOMMENDED -made from solid steel, no welds -WET and dry cutting -90 % less sparks than abrasive discs -one blade will outlast 150 quality abrasive discs when saw is operating, FREQUENTLY back saw out of cut, so that air can cool the blade...excessive wobbling during use, discontinue and inspect blade -if blades heats up and GLOWS Red, discontinue until blades cools down , to reduce likelihood of blade overheating during prolonged cutting, use gentle stream (water extinguisher ) on blade at point of contact OOS: -cracked , chipped, warped, bent IF BLADE WOBBLES AFTER TIGHTENING ARBOR BOLT , blade remove from saw place on surface and checked for warping or bending blade is BIDIRECTIONAL --blade should be FLIIPPED AFTER USE -if blade becomes glazed over and cuts ineffectively, clean with abrasive material such as concrete, this will expose more diamonds begin a cut, bring blade INTO CONTACT with the material (not running saw), the run engine at speed such that material does not get caught in between spacing , causing blade to bounce or bind. ..speed GRADUALLY INCREASED as blade cuts into material , then work at FULL THROTTLE DIAMOND BLADES --EXCHANGE ONE FOR ONE -blade and RT-2 along with FIRE TOOLS and equipment requisition form fowled to fire tools and equipment abrasive discs will no longer be replaced

Question 34

Carrying sling..

Answer 34

breaking strength 1000 pounds -double action carabineers attach to blade guard and handle - slinG MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE SAW IS USED - CONVERT TO HARNESS, attach carabineers of the sling to the mask harness , where the shoulder straps connect to waist strap