3.9 Forcible Entry

Question 1

What are heavy irons/ sledge hammer/ commercial sets used for?

Answer 1

When you need a bigger hammer/ conventional keys aren’t working, go with the commercial set.

The commercial set is a sledgehammer & halligan combination.

Question 2

How is a duck bill lock breaker used?

Answer 2

Used to break high-security padlocks.

The operation requires two firefighters, one holding the duckbill and the other holding either an eight-pound ax or a 10-pound sledgehammer.

The tip of the duckbill is placed between the shackles of the lock and the tool is set once resistance is met.

Once the tool is set, the second firefighter strikes the surface of the tool with the ax or the sledgehammer, driving the wedge downward. As the wedge is driven farther into the shackle, it forces it from the body of the lock.

Question 3

Explain the process of sizing up an entry point before forcible entry.

Answer 3

1. Try before you pry. Look for a Knox box
2. Look for easiest, safest entry and exit.
3. Do the hinges swing outward or inward? (Hinge position and how doorframe is set into the wall - If it is flush with the wall, that is even with the plane of the wall, the door swings outward. If the door is recessed into the wall, usually by the depth of the doorframe, it will swing inward and away from you.)
4. judge how difficult the door will be to force
5. Check for resistance
   
   • Push in at top, center, and bottom
   • May give you an idea as to where the locking devices are located

Question 4

Explain the use of a halligan bar

Answer 4

• The Most Popular and Versatile Design in a Heavy Duty Prying Tool.
• Designed to pry, pound, puncture, twist, and cut open or remove all types of barriers.
• Features a curved claw that maximizes your prying leverage.
• The parallel claw opening fits over locks, hasps, and many door bars. Doubles as a nail puller and gas shut off tool.
• The long smooth incline of the duckbill (adze) is used to force windows and interior doors.
• The long, sharp, tapered and gently curved pike will fit a lock or latch.

Question 5

Explain the use of a flathead axe

Answer 5

• The cutting wedge, or blade of the axe, is used for cutting and sometimes prying motions.
• The striking face, or rear of the axe head, serves as a striking tool much like a sledgehammer.

Question 6

Explain the use of bolt cutters

Answer 6

1. Good where space does not allow the use of larger tools
2. most effective on relatively thin material that can easily fit within the tool’s jaws
3. In addition to chain link fence and locks, can also be used to cut headrests, etc for vehicle extrication.

Bolt cutters in the fire service should be able to cut steel rods, bolts, hard steel, and wire up to 400 on the Brinell and C42 on the Rockwell hardness scales.