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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: , , , ,

Light Fixtures?

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Who need light fancy light fixtures?

This photo shows what is supposed to be a light fixture.  Now, this is likely in a residential building, like a house, but it is still something that will cause a fire.

Now, let’s say that you get a call for an “odor of” or something similar that makes you check the attic.  You pop open the hatch and here you have this.

Depending on your jurisdiction, what do you do?  What leverage, if any, do have to correct this right away?  It is a tough spot for us as firefighters and company officers.

Let us know how you would handle this and what actions you would take to correct this to the best of your level of responsibility.

Stay safe and be careful.

Thanks again to Captain Jeff Schwering from St. Louis County.   Great stuff.

Posted by on March 18, 2010 • Filed under: fire codes, fire-prevention-education, inspections, training-development • 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: , , , , ,

Garden Hose Conduit

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Watch where you walk.

Watch where you walk.

This might be hard to see, but take a close look at the ground behind the firefighters.

Someone had run electric wire through the garden hose.  It obviously didn’t work so well.

This could be very unsuspecting for those working around this make-shift conduit.

There are always hazards we expect on the fire and emergency scenes that we respond to.  Stay alert and be safe.  Expect the unexpected.

Take a look at vent,enter and search for more pictures like these. They have some great stuff.

Posted by on February 4, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, situational awareness • Tagged: , , , ,

Bare Wires and Styrofoam

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Bare Wires Encased in Foam!

Bare Wires Encased in Foam!

This picture shows how someone used Styrofoam as a junction box.

If you look at the wires real close, you see that some have a great deal of copper showing.

Just imagine these bare wires getting hot and then heating that “junction box.”

Look for these unique ways of wiring on your inspections. Sometimes it takes a keen eye.

We would love to see some of the things you find.  Send them to sfpdfm@fidmail.com

Keep an eye out for this stuff and make them correct it.

Stay safe and fight the good fight.

Posted by on January 29, 2010 • Filed under: fire codes, fire-prevention-education, inspections • Tagged: , , , , ,

More Than Just an Electrical Problem

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There are two issues with this picture that we need to address.

There are two issues with this picture that we need to address.

In this picture you can see the electrical service and that it is not appropriate.  In the dark or in heavy smoke, this could cause a real bad situation.  Not to mention it could have started the fire.

But, as I looked at this picture, I noticed something else that we need to think about.  Can you see it?  I have no doubt you have noticed it.

The basement doors are boarded up.  We mentioned this in an earlier post about boarded up windows.  This is no different.  Trapped or lost firefighters trying to find a way out may miss this door because it is boarded up.

There isn’t a whole lot we can do about it except to do our 360 and use good situational awareness.  Doing that 360 will tell us a great deal and could save our lives.

Just stay aware and alert.  Take the extra time to do your 360, it makes a difference and as an officer it is a must to keep your people safe.

Posted by on January 28, 2010 • Filed under: Uncategorized • 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: , , , , , ,

Who Wired This?

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Wow, where did the panel go?
Wow, where did the panel go?

You never know what you’ll find when on an inspection.  This is an example of some really bad wiring.

These things can get missed if you don’t check all areas of the building.

This is something you may have to require immediate action on.  This is definately an electrical fire waiting to happen.

Check the small spaces and hidden closets, just be brave, you never know what is lurking in there.

Posted by on January 10, 2010 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Rats Nest of Wires

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This is obviously wrong!

This is obviously wrong!

Whether you do commercial or residential or both types of inspections, this is not acceptable. We can get into what the NEC says and any other electrical code, but this is obviously wrong.

This is an electrical fire waiting to happen. Depending on when this was done, likely after the initial construction phase, it is a good argument for permits and construction plan reviewing.

I just thought this was a great picture. What a mess.

Posted by on January 6, 2010 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire-prevention-education, firefighter-safety-health, fires • Tagged: , , ,