Chapter 9 - Forcible Entry Flashcards
Forcible entry definition
Techniques used to gain access into a compartment, structure, facility or site when the normal means of entry is locked or blocked. Do minimal damage to the structure or structural components and provide quick access to the emergency. Do not use forcible entry when normal means of access are available.
Who determines where to force entry
Incident commander. Wait to be ordered to force entry before doing so.
At every door or window, remember to first try what
Try before you pry.
Look for what on commercial or industrial occupancies
Lock boxes. Using a door key or numeric keypad combination from inside a lock box reduces property damage and may allow quicker entry then having to force a door or window.
General considerations
Doors and locks. Proper tools. Security barriers.
4 basic categories of forcible entry tools
Cutting tools
Prying tools
Pushing/pulling tools
Striking tools
Cutting tools
Axes- most common used by FF. Pick-head axe (6 or 8 lb, cut, pry and digging, head is made of hardened steel, pick end can penetrate materials, break window, or as a prying tool) and flat head axe (striking face of flat head axe can be used to strike another tool, forcing the bit end into a doorjamb or windowsill).
Metal cutting devices- bolt cutters (manual cannot cut modern high security chains), cutting torches (do not use in a flammable atmosphere), rebar cutters
Handsaws
Power saws
Circular saw
Useful in situations where electrical power is readily available and heavier bulkier power saws are too difficult to handle.
Rotary saw
Usually gasoline powered with changeable blades for cutting wood, metal and masonry. When using to cut metal, have a charged hoseline or portable extinguisher nearby because of the sparks produced in the cutting operation
- K12
Pushing/pulling tools
Can be useful in breaking glass, opening walls/ceiling.
- pike pole, rubbish hook, NY hook
Striking tool
Basic hand tool consisting of a weighted head attached to a handle.
Irons
Halligan and lock slot flat head axe
Carrying tools
Axes- Blade away from body, never carry on shoulder. With pick head, cover with hand
Pike poles/hooks- carry with tool head down
Wooden handles
Apply coat of linseed oil to preserve toughness and warping. Do not paint or varnish handle.
Mortise latch and lock
Assembly is mounted in a cavity in the door edge. Used on exterior wood and metal doors.
Cylindrical lock
Most common in residential. Key in knob lock and tubular deadbolt lock.
Rim lock
Mounted on the interior door surface and is used as a supplemental lock for doors that may or may not have other types of locks.
High security locks
Multiple bolt locks, electronic keyless lock, electromagnetic locks.
Standard padlock
Shackles of 6mm (1/4inch) or less in diameter and are not case hardened steel
Heavy duty padlock
Case hardened steel shackles more than 6mm in diameter.
Coordinating forcible entry and door control
Forcible entry creates a ventilation opening in the structure and changes flow path of hot fire gases. Also introduces O2. Must be coordinated with other activities going on.
Breaking door glass
Can be one of the fastest and least destructive techniques for forcing locked doors is to break the glass in the door or the sidelight next to it. Remember, it cannot be unbroken. Ie flow path.
Rabbit tool
Hydraulic door opener
Outward swinging door
Often possible to use a nail set and hammer to drive the pins out of the hinges and simply remove the door.
Tempered plate glass door
As a last resort should you break tempered glass doors. Use pick end of pick head axe and strike glass at a bottom corner. Place a salvage cover against the glass and strike through the cover to shatter the glass.
K-tool
V blade tool useful in pulling lock cylinders
J-tool
Device made of rigid, heavy gauge wire designed to fit through the space between double swinging doors equipped with panic hardware.
Caution
Block all overhead doors in the up or open position to prevent injury to firefighters if the built in control device fails
Breaching
Creating a hole in a wall
Adz
A wedge shaped blade attached at right angles to the handle of the tool
Unprotected Metal Surfaces
- Use emery cloth or steel wool to remove dirt and rust
- Use metal file to remove burrs
- Do not make blade too sharp
- Do not use a mechanical grinder
Door Control
- Critical during forcible entry
- Ventilation profile change can adversely affect fire behavior
- Take steps to deal with fire behavior changes if door is damaged and cannot close
- Firefighter stationed at the door to control
- Only prop door open if closing the door would block egress
Forcing Overhead Doors
- Cut opening
- Lift door
- Attach vise grips to rail
Forcing Fire Doors
When passing through an opening that a fire door protects, block the door open to prevent it from blocking egress or cutting off the hoseline
- Can use wooden wedges on either side
Note
When using a pike pole to break a window, position yourself upwind and higher than the window so that falling glass will not slide down the handle toward you.
