Pruning saw adapted for ceiling operations
Tom Flynn
Hollister (CA) Fire Department
In 1994, our department responded to a structure fire in which we opened a seven-foot-high, tongue-and-groove ceiling in a kitchen. We attempted to penetrate the ceiling with a chainsaw–a cumbersome, unsafe, and labor-intensive operation. As a result, we were in a heated, smoke-filled environment for longer than we needed to be.
After this and many similar situations, I thought there must be a safer way to get this task done. In a garden center, I discovered a power pruner extension saw used by professional landscapers for trimming tree branches. The saw had a 10-inch chain bar and extended between 7 feet, 7 inches and 11 feet, 4 inches, enough to reach and penetrate high wooden ceilings quickly and safely with minimal staffing. Additionally, a U-shaped handle allowed the firefighter to support the saw with his arms and shoulders.
We changed the 10-inch chain bar to a 12-inch chain bar, added a carbide chain, and modified the air filter with a foam precleaner to allow it to operate in smoke-filled environments.
Newer models available feature a 21.2-cc engine, an electronic ignition, and an all-position carburetor. More powerful saws have a 23.66-cc engine and a 12-inch blade and extend between 9 feet and 12 feet, 10 inches.
Our saw has been in service for five years and is a crucial part of our operation, proving itself in open-vault ceiling, attic, void space access, and skylight-removal operations. It is also useful for ventilating roofs too steep to access with a ladder.
