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Back to Basics Part 5: Cutting 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.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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We stay the hell away from it....that's what the electrical people get paid to do and they are the specialists at it.....so its their call......NOT ours....be warned many, many years ago I worked during summer breaks from college for Niagara Mohawk Power and we had to test gloves every day before we went out....one little leak and zap...you would never worry about it again....
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Permalink Reply by Jason Hoevelmann on
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Okay, now that you have all beat me up, read the post. It suggests that are instances that it may be needed and asks how you determine that. As far as it not being taught anymore, that must be a difference of location. I can tell you that in the area of my career department we get annual training from the electric company and they inspect all our equipment for us at no charge. In addition, almost every truck in our area carries drip loop cutters and the gloves along with some type of hot stick or voltage "finder". Is there a risk? Yes. But, that doesn't make a non-option. I know chiefs that will tell you that there is never a reason to get on a roof. I can remember in that last 6 months on at least two occasions that drip loops were cut. The reason I posted as basics is that it must be identified as to what you do or don't do. The post advised to follow your sogs. But, if a guy get's on a truck that has cutters, he better know when and how to do it and how to size up the hazards.
Thanks for all the feedback, it is much appreciated. I can handle the jabs, keep 'em coming. Good discussions and interesting differences in what everyone is doing.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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In our area we don't touch hydro,we are fortunate enough to get assistance within a half an hour at the outside usually quicker. We've had several information meetings with the power authority which served to emphasize how little we know about electricity. Things like automatic resets on high voltage lines, radio remote control switching, and multi source feeders were enough to discourage us from acting as a lightning rod . Our SOG's specifically prohibit us from doing anything until a representative from hydro is on site and confirms that the power is down and will remain that way until we authorize it to be reactivated.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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It is interesting to see what is still being done in different areas. We used to pull meters years ago, but Texas has outlawed it. We can throw the main breakers, but anything else is done by the power company.
They won't even take our word on what they need for the job. Had a shed fire which burned the primaries and transformer for an street yesterday. Had the dispatcher call the power company to specifically tell them they would need a pole crew. They still sent a pick-up to see what they would need to have. They had to call in a pole crew. Really!
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Yeah, we still don't pull meters. We used to, but there were too many times that it had been circumvented anyway.
Thanks for all of the replies. It is great to have all of the posts and good, honest dabate.
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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We do things like oldman. We do have a firefighter on utilities tho. There job is to turn off the main breaker and shut off the gas.
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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
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OM,
I'm curious about what law/code makes it illegal in TX to pull meters. I have seen it done recently by a Fire Chief. For safety's sake I would like to quote such a written law/code.
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With you there Jim....You would stand a better chance at seeing God than you would seeing me play with electricity......
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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FF Enemy
Sorry I wasn't trying to beat you up personally but I can't think of an instance for which I am needed to become a lineman or a line supervisor. You see it is not my emergency.
Long time ago we as a FD pulled meters, had cutters for drip loop and had power company lineman gloves but our annual training, like I suspect yours, would be considered inadequate when something goes wrong and firefighters get hurt or killed. I would not want to be in that scenario when the investiagtors come in. One example is the power company test their line gloves daily.
Since then, we have waited on scene for the power company to arrive when we had rescues and recoveries with lines pulled down from a contractor staging accident with some construction workers electrocuted... Moth to candle is go rescue them but it was far safer to remain in the vehicle until power company secured the scene.
Like I said, not in our scope of rescue, therefore we do not train on it and wait for the power professionals.
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Hey, I didn't and don't take this personally. No worries there. I was just lightening the mood. Keep 'em coming. Whether I agree or not, some really good and valuable information gets passed along and that is what it is all about.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Meadows on
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Sorry Chaz I was taught otherwise and from a licensed electrician. So if he was wrong and taught me wrong well I'm always up for learning better.
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Permalink Reply by Todd on
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My Grandfather retired as a regional supervisor with our local utility company after coming up the ranks from apprentice lineman. When I first joined up with the fire department he pulled me to the side and told me two things that have stuck with me 20 years later. 1. There's a reason why it takes a long time for a power company employee to get to the level where they allow them to mess with electricity and 2. Pulling meters is a great way to cash in on your life insurance.
Shutting off main breakers/disconnects/plugs is as in depth as I plan on getting when it comes to electricity.
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