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Back to Basics Part 5: Cutting Drip Loops

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Cutting the drip loops.

Cutting the drip loops.

This is a sensitive subject for some, but a basic skill I remember learning as a rookie.

Cutting drip loops is something that not all departments do, but it is necessary in some instances depending on where you are in the country.

In my area you could get utilities on scene in town within minutes whereas the more rural parts could take an hour.

Cutting the drip loops requires some skill and knowledge to be done correctly.  You must also have a set of appropriate cutters and ideally, some electrical gloves.

As you can see, there are some hazards associated with this and you must follow your departments policies on this.

With this particular photo, what do you see as a hazard?

When would you consider cutting the drip loops?

Do you have the appropriate tools to cut the loops?

Be careful when dealing with electricity. The ideal tactic is to let the utility company deal with it.

Train to your departmental SOG’s and stay safe.

Posted by on March 21, 2010 • Filed under: electrical, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations • Tagged: , , , ,

Clear Working Space?

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Don't put the dishes away wet!

Don't put the dishes away wet!

Have you ever had that house fire, odor of, smoke in the building or electrical call and couldn’t find the service panel?  Well, maybe this is why.

People do some of the craziest things.  You will see this in a lot of older buildings.

Many of these buildings have been remodeled several times and might have been built without any electric at all.  In other cases it is just pure laziness that a panel is in a location like this.

I guess the moral of this post is to look everywhere for the electric service and don’t assume that it is shut off.  Make sure of it.

You might have to look behind shelves, false walls and as you can see here, in the kitchen cabinets.  Who knows what else you might find.

Be careful and stay safe.

Here is Life Safety Initiative #1:

Define and advocate the need for a cultural change within the fire service relating to safety; incorporating leadership, management, supervision, accountability and personal responsibility.

Posted by on March 14, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, electrical, fire codes, firefighter-safety-health • Tagged: , , , ,

Who Needs an Extension Cord?

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Really?

This is the type of situation that, if found, needs to be corrected. You might be here on an EMS call, an odor of, or any other non-fire incident. But, the important thing is that you notice it and correct it.

This is pretty extreme, but this is how we stay employed and busy. Be aware and pay attention to those so-called “B.S.” calls. You never know the difference you could make at that particular time.

Thanks again to Captain Jeff Schwering from Crestwood Fire Department. He has found some very interesting things. Thanks Jeff, and keep ‘em coming.

Stay safe out there and be careful.

Posted by on March 3, 2010 • Filed under: electrical, fire codes • Tagged: , , , , ,

Who Needs Junction Boxes?

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I Don't Know What to Say.

This picture is of junction boxes.  I guess they like these things.

The bad thing is that we don’t know what is inside and what kinds of problems  can come from them.

Just keep your eyes open and take note of this kind of stuff.  These situations do start fires.

Thanks to Captain Jeff Schwering of the Crestwood FD for submitting the photo. It is appreciated and keep ‘em coming.

Posted by on February 19, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, electrical, fire codes • Tagged: , , , , ,

Old Building Systems

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Old wire insulators still in use.

Old wire insulators still in use.

This is an old building that still has many old building systems in use.

As you can see from the picture, these wires are still in use with these old ceramic insulators.

These are unique and not seen very often.  Some of these old cloth wires are worn and can give you a shock or short out.

Just be aware in these older buildings.  For example, in this particular building, there are a lot of places that had obvious signs of water leaks. We know how that turns out when electric is involved.

Stay safe and be careful out there. Take the time to look at the older buildings in your area.  There is a lot to see and learn.

Posted by on February 9, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, electrical, fire-prevention-education, heavy timber, inspections • Tagged: , , , ,

Heavy Timber and Open Junction Boxes

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Open junction boxes and some heavy timber.
Open junction boxes and some heavy timber.

 

This picture shows some heavy timber construction in an old shoe factory.  These are about 12-15 foot ceilings.  You just don’t see this kind of construction any more.

Secondly, you can see the open junction boxes with wires hanging out.

This building is still operating mostly as storage. There is not any production anymore, but there are many combustible foams and plastics that are used in shoe soles and rubber mats.

Although the wires aren’t likely to be touched by anyone as high as they are, they could and probably will short or arc from inadequate installation.

Keep these thing in mind when doing your inspections.  Take the time to look at these old buildings and ask about it’s history.  These buildings won’t be around much longer, but, boy did they have some charm.

Take care and stay safe.

Posted by on January 26, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, electrical, fire codes, fire-prevention-education, heavy timber • Tagged: , , , ,

The Ingenuity Files

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Nothing like using what you have available.

Nothing like using what you have available.

This is another case of ingenuity getting the best of us.

Although this is creative, it obviously is not appropriate.

I am sure I will get a reply that the outlet is covered and blah, blah blah.

But, come on, a dish soap bottle.  I can respect the creativity, but don’t let a business use this.

This is an electrical fire just waiting to happen.  Do enough inspections and you find some great stuff.

Stay safe and share your thoughts and experiences.

Posted by on January 23, 2010 • Filed under: electrical, fire codes, inspections • Tagged: , , , ,

Burnt Breakers

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Check the panel boxes, you never know what you will find.

Check the panel boxes, you never know what you will find.

Take a look inside the breaker boxes if you get a chance. Especially if something seems “not right.”

These two breakers are melted and still have wires connected.  In certain instances they will fail and be overloaded and instead of being removed, get left on the bar.

These are no longer on the bar, but we need to know what, if anything, is powering whatever was connected to these breakers.

Just be aware that if a panel box looks bad, you may need to look a little harder and take off the panel cover.

Be careful and stay safe out there.

Posted by on January 22, 2010 • Filed under: electrical, fire codes, fire-prevention-education, inspections • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Creative Wiring

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A little creativity never hurts!
A little creativity never hurts!

Take a good look at this wiring job. What do you notice? The craftsmanship? The careful notice to detail?  Or the ingenuity of making something out of nothing?

Well, it is creative, but safe, not so much.  I would love to see where the main lines are coming in from.

As you can see, there is no weather head or protection for this main feed.

In addition, it is just out there for everyone to see and touch.

That box is open with contacts visible for someone to just walk by and put a pike pole in.

I’m sure if you look hard enough you will find something I haven’t listed, so feel free to add to the list.

Take care and stay safe.

Posted by on January 15, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, electrical, fire codes, firefighter-safety-health • Tagged: , , , , , ,