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FAQ's
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Common cutting practices are:
• Mechanical cutting (diamond wire sawing, band saws, circular saws)
• Thermal cutting (oxy-fuel, plasma, and laser cutting)
• Abrasive cutting (grinders, waterjet cutting)
• Explosive cutting (used in controlled demolitions)
• Use protective gear (gloves, goggles, fire-resistant clothing)
• Adequate ventilation should be provided to control fumes
• Spark and debris control should be done to prevent fire hazards
• Adhere to lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures to prevent accidental equipment triggering
• Diamond wire saws – Applied to use with thick metal and concrete structures
• Band saws – Best for slicing steel beams and pipes
• Reciprocating saws – Suitable for limited cutting in multiple materials
• Cold saws – Achieve clean cuts with little heat and high accuracy
• Diamond wire saws or hydraulic shears are used for heavy pipes
• Oxy-arc cutting diver-operated thermal cutting tools are used in deep water
• Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) cut in deep depths
• Steel – Gives sparks and heat, requires cooling or special techniques
• Concrete – Creates dust and requires powerful cutting tools
• Composites – Brittle and should be cut with specialized blades so as not to break
• Mechanical cutting uses sawing, grinding, or shears and does not generate intense heat.
• Thermal cutting (laser, plasma, oxy-fuel) heats or melts through material to be quicker, but also in need of heat-resistant precautions.
Diamond wire sawing is appropriate for:
• Cutting thick metal or concrete where precision is needed
• Underwater cutting
• Low-vibration use to avoid structure damage
• Reduces worker exposure to hazardous conditions
• Increases cutting speed and precision
• Enables cutting in constrained areas or underwater without the use of divers
• Advantages: Rapid, efficient on thick metals, minimal waste
• Constraints: Creates heat, requires ventilation, can't be used on all materials
• Cold cutting prevents heat destruction or explosions
• Precise cutting reduces waste
• Able to cut different materials (metals, composites, concrete)
• Thermal cutting produces fumes and heat, requiring ventilation
• Mechanical cutting generates dust, requiring water suppression
• Underwater cutting can disturb marine ecosystems, requiring steps to reduce it
• Water suppression systems decrease dust
• Fume extractors remove hazardous fumes
• Fire blankets hold back sparks in enclosed spaces
• Purging pipes with inert gas prior to cutting
• Cold-cutting techniques such as waterjet cutting
• Having fire extinguishers and emergency response on hand on site
• Utilize remote-controlled cutting equipment to keep exposure low
• Cut in controlled environments with appropriate containment
• Follow strict decontamination and disposal protocols
• Diamond wire or waterjet cutting, which produce lower vibration
• Use of sound barriers in controlled environments
• Work at times of low impact in populated regions
Pipeline & Offshore Cutting
• Diver-cutting (oxy-arc or hydraulic saws)
• ROV-mounted saws for deep water application
• Diamond wire saws for cutting precision
• Protection of sediment from disturbance to prevent harm to marine life
• Pre-cut leak monitoring
• Undercutting to prevent collapse
• Hydraulic shears for clean, high-power cuts
• Plasma cutters for quick cutting metal
• Diamond wire saws for low-impact, precise cuts
• Using insulated tools to prevent electric shoc
• Wearing specialized dive suits for protection
• Following buddy system protocols for emergency assistance
• Explosive cutting in massive demolitions
• Abrasive waterjet cutting in sensitive or dangerous materials
• ROV-facilitated cutting when divers cannot work safely

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