OPERATING
20 – English
Cutting with toothed/carbide tipped
blades during rescue operaions
If the public safety force (fire department) that purchased
this power cutter has decided to equip this unit with a
carbide tipped blade for rescue operations, the following
safety considerations must be adhered to.
Training and protective equipment
•
Only operators trained in the use of cutting with a
power cutter equipped with carbide tipped blade shall
be allowed to operate the power cutter.
•
Full protective fire fighting gear shall be worn by the
operator at all times.
•
A full face shield (not just protective eye glasses) shall
be worn by the operator to protect the face from flying
debris or a sudden kick-back of the power cutter.
Risk area
No persons that do not have the protective equipment
described above shall be allowed inside the risk area for
thrown material.
Blade speed
Apply the cutting blade gently with high rotating speed
(full throttle) Maintain full speed until cutting is complete.
Low blade speed, especially in hard and thin materials
can result in jamming and the breaking-off of the carbide
tips.
Thin material
Cutting thin and hard material (i.e. a sheet metal covered
roof) should be conducted in a forward direction for best
control.
Pinching or jamming
Make a careful evaluation of how the object will move
during the final stage of the cutting to avoid pinching or
jamming. The cut must open during the cut. If the object
sags and the cut begins to close the blade may pinch,
possibly resulting in a kick-back or damage to the blade.
Cutting in line
Skewing or twisting in the line of cut will reduce cutting
efficiency and damage the blade.
Before each rescue operation
Check that the blade and the blade guard is not damaged
or cracked. Replace the blade or the blade guard if it has
been exposed to impact or is cracked.
•
Check that no carbide tips have loosened from the
cutting blade.
•
Check that the blade is not skew or shows signs of
cracking or other defects.
When cutting in hard materials carbide tipped blades will
rapidly lose its sharpness. For best performance during
rescue operations we recommend that a new blade be
installed.
!
WARNING! A power cutter should never
be used with carbide tipped blade for
non-emergency work, such as in the
construction trades.
Be aware at all times that carbide tipped
blades are more kickback prone than
abrasive or diamond blades if not used
properly.
20 m (66 ft)
