FAQ's

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