Some Tips (and video) on Cutting Roll-Down Gates
Roll-down security gates are a common security measure found in both urban and non-urban areas. Often these gates must be opened before ANY firefighting activity begins. Today I want to talk about some tips to help you in making the cut….
1) Use the Halligan to hold the cut.
As in the above picture, fire conditions may be waiting for you behind this gate. You want them to KEEP WAITING until you’re done your cut and ready. A charged hoseline should be ready to go. Prior to beginning your cut, have a partner pierce the gate with the pick of the halligan somewhere high in the section you’ll be flapping (if you’re doing a triangle cut). Your partner will then stand to the side and hold the flap. As you make the cuts, the gate has a tendency to fall in on itself -- exposing you to fire and also tending to bind on the saw blade, reducing your cutting efficiency and speed. Holding the gate will keep it up, protecting you from fire and keeping the gate from binding on the blade.
2) Make cuts from a comfortable position.
Saws are heavy. Holding it above your head for an extended period of time is impractical and reduces our efficiency. When making a box cut, or other extended horizontal cut, don’t try to hold the saw above your head -- position it at shoulder level. Use one arm to brace the saw -- with your upper arm parallel to your body (elbow towards your feet) bend your arm to to bring you hand up to support the saw, forming a triangle. Your other hand is used to operate the saw. Adjust so that the arm/blade of the saw is out past your shoulder -- not right in front of your face.
3) Flap at bottom.
When cutting an inverted-V, the goal should always be to pull the slats, opening the remainder of the door. This will cause the door above the pulled slat to retract -- but what about below? In order to be able to pull the door out of the way, the first leg of the cut should go through the angle-iron at the bottom. In this narrow space the blade may begin to bind. It may be quicker to make a rapid triangle cut at the bottom to give some space for the saw blade to work directly on the thick angle-iron.
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