A question received from a firefighter allows me to offer some suggestions for one of our newest challenges; exotic metals.
Question:
Chief Moore,
I have a question about your recent article on Firehouse.com; how would we know if our tools are “new” enough to cut through these types of metals? At work we use Hurst and at my volunteer house we use Amkus. Would it be practical, depending on the situation on the scene, to use a plasma cutter or a petrogen torch system?
I know a couple of months ago we had a t-bone accident involving a Toyota Prius. After we arrived on the scene and assessed the situation we decided to do a total drivers side removal (both doors and the B post) due to the patient’s size. After we removed both doors we started on the B post cutting the top near the roof line first then moving to the bottom near the rocker panel. The top of the post cut like butter but we had problems with the bottom of the post. Neither the Amkus speedway cutter, the o-cutter nor the saws all would cut through the post. We ended up getting a small enough cut to bend it out of the way.
What should we be looking at as far as solutions to these new challenges we are facing?
My Reply:
Your question is the Hot Topic of discussion among rescuers today. The 2007 model year vehicles have to comply with a new side impact standard so that's why there is so much talk about it and why we're seeing more exotic metals in vehicles. I really don't have a perfect solution yet but I do have several things to consider.
First, try to cut first to see what you've got. Boron metal looks exactly like lightweight metal so cut and see if you can go through it normally.
Next, be quick about having a backup plan or plans. If your hydraulic cutter is stalling out, quickly go to the recip saw or the air chisel as your Plan B.
If you have tough stuff, then try cutting a distance away from it. For example, the reinforced metal may only be in the B-pillar and not the roofline. So, if you cut the roof rail to each side of the top of the B-pillar, you may have a chance at finding a soft spot.
Another consideration, some automakers only reinforce a portion of the B-pillar. That area is usually from the window level up to the roofline; our usual cut zone. So, if you have a stall while cutting, move down the pillar closer to the top of the rear door hinge and see what happens. You may just be able to get below the reinforced structure.
I will not recommend plasma cutters, abrasive blades on rotary saws, a cutting torch, or tools like a petrogen cutter. Not on my watch!
Question:
Chief Moore,
I have a question about your recent article on Firehouse.com; how would we know if our tools are “new” enough to cut through these types of metals? At work we use Hurst and at my volunteer house we use Amkus. Would it be practical, depending on the situation on the scene, to use a plasma cutter or a petrogen torch system?
I know a couple of months ago we had a t-bone accident involving a Toyota Prius. After we arrived on the scene and assessed the situation we decided to do a total drivers side removal (both doors and the B post) due to the patient’s size. After we removed both doors we started on the B post cutting the top near the roof line first then moving to the bottom near the rocker panel. The top of the post cut like butter but we had problems with the bottom of the post. Neither the Amkus speedway cutter, the o-cutter nor the saws all would cut through the post. We ended up getting a small enough cut to bend it out of the way.
What should we be looking at as far as solutions to these new challenges we are facing?
My Reply:
Your question is the Hot Topic of discussion among rescuers today. The 2007 model year vehicles have to comply with a new side impact standard so that's why there is so much talk about it and why we're seeing more exotic metals in vehicles. I really don't have a perfect solution yet but I do have several things to consider.
First, try to cut first to see what you've got. Boron metal looks exactly like lightweight metal so cut and see if you can go through it normally.
Next, be quick about having a backup plan or plans. If your hydraulic cutter is stalling out, quickly go to the recip saw or the air chisel as your Plan B.
If you have tough stuff, then try cutting a distance away from it. For example, the reinforced metal may only be in the B-pillar and not the roofline. So, if you cut the roof rail to each side of the top of the B-pillar, you may have a chance at finding a soft spot.
Another consideration, some automakers only reinforce a portion of the B-pillar. That area is usually from the window level up to the roofline; our usual cut zone. So, if you have a stall while cutting, move down the pillar closer to the top of the rear door hinge and see what happens. You may just be able to get below the reinforced structure.
I will not recommend plasma cutters, abrasive blades on rotary saws, a cutting torch, or tools like a petrogen cutter. Not on my watch!
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