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