Forcible Entry Flashcards
Forcible entry techniques are used to:
- Gain access when normal means of entry are blocked
- do minimal damage
- provide quick access
Forcible entry and Ventilation
- location of opening can affect fire behaviour
- any entry into a structure is ventilation
- control doors and windows
4 Categories of forcible entry tools
- cutting tools
- pushing/pulling tools
- prying tools
- striking tools
using a cutting tool on materials for which it was not designed can:
- damage the tool
- endanger the operator
prying tool uses
- opening doors
- opening locks
- opening windows
- moving heavy objects
what are some door lock/latches
- mortise lock
- cylindrical lock
- rim locks
- high security locks
forcing swinging doors
look for hinges
can see - swings toward
cant see - swings away
Where to force Entry - IC or Supervisor determines based upon
Tactics that must be fulfilled
Location of the fire
Stage of the fire
Effect on ventilation
Effort required to force entry
Forcible entry and ventilation
Location of opening that adds fresh air to a ventilation- controlled fire can affect fire behaviour
Any entry to a structure is ventilation
Control doors and windows to limit fresh air
Using a Lockbox Instead of Forcible Entry
Reduces property damage
May allow quicker entry
Information may be stored in preincident plans and/or CAD date
Cutting tools
Powered manually or use another power source
No cutting tool will cut all materials
Using a cutting tool on materials for which it was not designed can:
Damage the tool
Endanger the operator
Prying Tools Uses
Opening doors
Opening locks
Opening windows
Moving heavy objects
Preventing injuries when using tools
Wear appropriate PPE
Use only undamaged tools
Select the right tool
Use tools for their intended purpose only
Position yourself so your weight is balanced on both feet
Tool safety
Become familiar with all tools you will use
Keep tools in properly designated places
Make sure tools are secured
Repair or replace damaged tools immediately
Do not strike a tools handle
Do not use a prying tool as a striking tool unless designed to do so
Safety with Power Saws
- Match saw and blades to the task and material to be cut
- Never force a saw beyond its design limitations
- Always wear full PPE
- Fully inspect saw before and after use Safety With Power Saws
- Do not use any power saw in a flammable atmosphere or near flammable liquids
- Maintain situational awareness
- Start all cuts at full rpm
- Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for operation
- Keep blades and chains sharpened
- Be aware of hidden hazards
Maintaining tools with fiberglass handles
Wash with mild detergent then rinse and wipe dry
Check for damage or cracks
Check tightness of the tool head
Cutting edges
Inspect for chips, cracks or spurs
Replace axe head when required
File cutting edges by hand
Sharpen blade as specified by SOPs
Ensure axe head is not too thin or too thick
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 behaviour
Take steps to deal with fire behaviour changes if door is damaged and cannot close
FF stationed at the door to control
Only prop door open if closing the door would block egress
Breaking Door glass
Breaking glass may be difficult and costly
Ordinary glass shatters into sharp fragments
If breaking glass in a burning building, wear SCBA and have a charged hoseline ready
Glass is a barrier to ventilation
Once glass is broke, it is a ventilated opening for the remainder of operation
Door locks/latches and locking devices Types
Mortise locks
Cylindrical locks
Rim locks
High security locks
Forcing Security doors and gates Types
Rollup doors
Doors with open steel bars
Doors with multiple slats that close to form a solid panel
Forcing Security doors and gates technique
o Cut off the padlock
o Cut an opening near the lock
o Cut out a section of the door
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, Wedges used to block door open
Breaking window glass - Hazards
Slows entry while clearing glass shards from the frame
Creates flying glass shards
Covers the floor in glass shards
Could shower glass on victims in the structure
Changes the flow path
Cannot be undone once glass is broken
Breaching walls
May be faster and more efficient to gain access through a wall when doors and windows are inaccessible or heavily secured
Requires knowledge of building construction, accurate size-up and determination that breaching is safe
Exterior walls are more difficult to breach than interior walls
Vertical studs
2x4 or 2x6 inch
Inside covered with gypsum sheets or lath-and-plaster
Outside covered with wood, composite boards, or other materials
16, 20, 24 inches apart
Spaces may be a void or contain insulation
Breaching exterior wood frame walls technique
Cut with an axe or shatter with a sledgehammer then pry open using crowbar or Halligan
Safest to strike toward center of opening first
Open interior wall after exterior wall
