Forcible Entry

Question 1

Forcible entry techniques are used to:

Answer 1

• Gain access when normal means of entry are blocked
• do minimal damage
• provide quick access

Question 2

Forcible entry and Ventilation

Answer 2

• location of opening can affect fire behaviour
• any entry into a structure is ventilation
• control doors and windows

Question 3

4 Categories of forcible entry tools

Answer 3

1. cutting tools
2. pushing/pulling tools
3. prying tools
4. striking tools

Question 4

using a cutting tool on materials for which it was not designed can:

Answer 4

• damage the tool
• endanger the operator

Question 5

prying tool uses

Answer 5

• opening doors
• opening locks
• opening windows
• moving heavy objects

Question 6

what are some door lock/latches

Answer 6

• mortise lock
• cylindrical lock
• rim locks
• high security locks

Question 7

forcing swinging doors

Answer 7

look for hinges

can see - swings toward
cant see - swings away

Question 8

Where to force Entry - IC or Supervisor determines based upon

Answer 8

Tactics that must be fulfilled
Location of the fire
Stage of the fire
Effect on ventilation
Effort required to force entry

Question 9

Forcible entry and ventilation

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Using a Lockbox Instead of Forcible Entry

Answer 10

Reduces property damage

May allow quicker entry

Information may be stored in preincident plans and/or CAD date

Question 11

Cutting tools

Answer 11

Powered manually or use another power source

No cutting tool will cut all materials

Question 12

Using a cutting tool on materials for which it was not designed can:

Answer 12

Damage the tool

Endanger the operator

Question 13

Prying Tools Uses

Answer 13

Opening doors
Opening locks
Opening windows
Moving heavy objects

Question 14

Preventing injuries when using tools

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Tool safety

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Safety with Power Saws

Answer 16

1. Match saw and blades to the task and material to be cut
2. Never force a saw beyond its design limitations
3. Always wear full PPE
4. Fully inspect saw before and after use Safety With Power Saws
5. Do not use any power saw in a flammable atmosphere or near flammable liquids
6. Maintain situational awareness
7. Start all cuts at full rpm
8. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for operation
9. Keep blades and chains sharpened
10. Be aware of hidden hazards

Question 17

Maintaining tools with fiberglass handles

Answer 17

Wash with mild detergent then rinse and wipe dry

Check for damage or cracks

Check tightness of the tool head

Question 18

Cutting edges

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Unprotected metal surfaces

Answer 19

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 20

Door control

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Breaking Door glass

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Door locks/latches and locking devices Types

Answer 22

Mortise locks
Cylindrical locks
Rim locks
High security locks

Question 23

Forcing Security doors and gates Types

Answer 23

Rollup doors

Doors with open steel bars

Doors with multiple slats that close to form a solid panel

Question 24

Forcing Security doors and gates technique

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Breaking window glass - Hazards

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Breaching walls

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Vertical studs

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Breaching exterior wood frame walls technique

Answer 28

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