Chapter 9 - Forcible Entry

Question 1

Forcible entry definition

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Who determines where to force entry

Answer 2

Incident commander. Wait to be ordered to force entry before doing so.

Question 3

At every door or window, remember to first try what

Answer 3

Try before you pry.

Question 4

Look for what on commercial or industrial occupancies

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

General considerations

Answer 5

Doors and locks. Proper tools. Security barriers.

Question 6

4 basic categories of forcible entry tools

Answer 6

Cutting tools
Prying tools
Pushing/pulling tools
Striking tools

Question 7

Cutting tools

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Circular saw

Answer 8

Useful in situations where electrical power is readily available and heavier bulkier power saws are too difficult to handle.

Question 9

Rotary saw

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Pushing/pulling tools

Answer 10

Can be useful in breaking glass, opening walls/ceiling.
- pike pole, rubbish hook, NY hook

Question 11

Striking tool

Answer 11

Basic hand tool consisting of a weighted head attached to a handle.

Question 12

Irons

Answer 12

Halligan and lock slot flat head axe

Question 13

Carrying tools

Answer 13

Axes- Blade away from body, never carry on shoulder. With pick head, cover with hand
Pike poles/hooks- carry with tool head down

Question 14

Wooden handles

Answer 14

Apply coat of linseed oil to preserve toughness and warping. Do not paint or varnish handle.

Question 15

Mortise latch and lock

Answer 15

Assembly is mounted in a cavity in the door edge. Used on exterior wood and metal doors.

Question 16

Cylindrical lock

Answer 16

Most common in residential. Key in knob lock and tubular deadbolt lock.

Question 17

Rim lock

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

High security locks

Answer 18

Multiple bolt locks, electronic keyless lock, electromagnetic locks.

Question 19

Standard padlock

Answer 19

Shackles of 6mm (1/4inch) or less in diameter and are not case hardened steel

Question 20

Heavy duty padlock

Answer 20

Case hardened steel shackles more than 6mm in diameter.

Question 21

Coordinating forcible entry and door control

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Breaking door glass

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Rabbit tool

Answer 23

Hydraulic door opener

Question 24

Outward swinging door

Answer 24

Often possible to use a nail set and hammer to drive the pins out of the hinges and simply remove the door.

Question 25

Tempered plate glass door

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

K-tool

Answer 26

V blade tool useful in pulling lock cylinders

Question 27

J-tool

Answer 27

Device made of rigid, heavy gauge wire designed to fit through the space between double swinging doors equipped with panic hardware.

Question 28

Caution

Answer 28

Block all overhead doors in the up or open position to prevent injury to firefighters if the built in control device fails

Question 29

Breaching

Answer 29

Creating a hole in a wall

Question 30

Adz

Answer 30

A wedge shaped blade attached at right angles to the handle of the tool

Question 31

Unprotected Metal Surfaces

Answer 31

• 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

Question 32

Door Control

Answer 32

• 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

Question 33

Forcing Overhead Doors

Answer 33

• Cut opening
• Lift door
• Attach vise grips to rail

Question 34

Forcing Fire Doors

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Note

Answer 35

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.