Fresno Fire Department Power Saw Training PDF 2009

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL POWER SAWS 309.003 DEWALT CORDLESS / RECIPROCATING SAW EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 2009 Current Revision Date: 8/8/19 Author’s Name/Rank: Chad Tucker, Captain Leslie Oulashian, Management Analyst II Administrative Support: Next Revision Date: 8/8/24 Review Level: 1 PURPOSE...

TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL POWER SAWS 309.003 DEWALT CORDLESS / RECIPROCATING SAW EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 2009 Current Revision Date: 8/8/19 Author’s Name/Rank: Chad Tucker, Captain Leslie Oulashian, Management Analyst II Administrative Support: Next Revision Date: 8/8/24 Review Level: 1 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide instruction to Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members on the safe operation and maintenance of the Dewalt cordless reciprocating saw. APPLICATION The Dewalt cordless reciprocating saw is used to cut metals, wood, sheetrock, lath, and composition roofing. The saw is carried on all truck companies and Rescue 11. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. Section 309.003 Page 1 of 6 PROCESS 1. Safety Precautions: a. Saw: • Always wear eye protection and the appropriate safety clothing. • Avoid accidental starts. Ensure the switch is locked off before inserting a battery. • Disconnect the battery and/or place the switch in the lockedoff position before changing the blades. • Use the correct blade for the task. Use clean, sharp blades. • This saw is not intrinsically safe. Do not operate in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. • Be aware the saw may contact and/or cut hidden wiring. Contact with energized wiring will energize exposed metal parts of the saw and possibly shock the operator. b. Battery and Charger: • Do not allow any liquid to get inside the charger. • Never attempt to open the battery for any reason. • Replace the cutting blades as needed, using only sharp, clean blades. • Replacement blades may be ordered from supply. 2. Operation: a. Installation and removal of battery: i. Ensure the on/off switch is locked off. (See Figure 1.) Section 309.003 Page 2 of 6 Figure 1 ii. Ensure the battery is charged. iii. Install the battery into the tool handle by aligning the notch on the battery with the receptacle notch inside the tool handle. Press the battery unit into the tool handle until you hear the lock snap closed. iv. Remove the battery by pressing the release buttons and firmly pull the battery from the tool handle. (See Figure 2.) Figure 2 Section 309.003 Page 3 of 6 b. Charging the Battery: • Do not charge the battery in an air temperature below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or above +105 degrees Fahrenheit. • The charger and battery may become warm to the touch when charging. This is a normal condition and does not indicate a problem. • The battery is fully charged when the red light on the charging unit is on continuously. Full charge on the battery should not require more than four hours. • It is acceptable to occasionally leave the battery in a correctly-operating charger for 12 to 24 hours. This allows the charger to fully equalize the cells in the battery. • A partially-discharged battery can be recharged with no adverse effects. • The saw should be tested every Sunday and the battery recharged after the test until the charging unit indicates a full charge (one to four hours). 3. Operating the Saw: • The saw switch is equipped with a lock-off button. Always lock the switch to eliminate unintentional starting. The lockoff button is colored red to indicate when the switch is unlocked. • The variable-speed trigger switch allows added versatility. The further the trigger is depressed, the higher the speed of the saw. • Using a very slow speed is recommended only to start a cut. Prolonged use at very slow speeds may damage the saw. 4. Installing the Blade: a. Lock the trigger switch and/or remove the battery. blade clamp release lever. Open Section 309.003 Page 4 of 6 b. Insert blade shank from the front (it may be inserted in a conventional or upside down manner). c. Close blade clamp release lever. 5. Removing the Blade: a. Open the blade clamp release lever. (See Figure 3.) Figure 3 b. Remove blade towards the front. c. Close blade clamp. INFORMATION It has been shown while using a cordless Sawzall, or even a corded Milwaukee reciprocating saw, the blades rapidly become dull. In addition, if the cutting blades are too short or of the wrong teeth per inch (TPI), the blade can become difficult to use or even ineffective while attempting to cut through new metal compounds and combinations (boron steel) found in the A pillars, B pillars, and other areas of today’s automobiles. The recommended TPI to be used for these metal compounds is in the range of 10 to 14 TPI. New metal compounds and combinations are sometimes better cut using a reciprocating saw with a fresh battery and blade. Each truck company (both reserve and front line) are to maintain an assortment of blades consisting of an initial pack of 14 Ice Hardened Sawzall blades in various sizes ranging from 6 inches to 9 inches, with TPIs of 10, 14, and 18. The current blade complement of wood and metal blades will continue to be used. The new blades are to be added to the complement found in the Sawzall or Milwaukee reciprocating saw cases. Additional blades can be ordered from Supply. Section 309.003 Page 5 of 6 DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES No cross-references recognized. Section 309.003 Page 6 of 6