1. FORCIBLE ENTRY

2. INTRODUCTION • Modern society is security conscious • Private homes • Commercial occupancies • Vehicles • Forcible entry • The technique used by fire department personnel to gain access to a structure whose normal means of access is locked, blocked or nonexistent

3. INTRODUCTION • Forcible entry, when properly used, does a minimal amount of damage to the structure or structural components and provides quick access for firefighters • should not be used when normal means of access are readily available • may be required to open means of egress (exit) from structures

4. INTRODUCTION • Knowing the construction features of doors, windows and other barriers, knowing proper tool selection and knowing forcible entry techniques greatly enhances a firefighter’s effort on the fireground • Ability to use forcible entry techniques quickly and effectively demonstrates professionalism to the community you serve

5. FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS • A firefighter must have a complete working knowledge of the tools available to perform the task • Using the proper tool will make the difference in whether the barrier faced is successfully forced • Forcible entry tools can be divided into four basic categories • Cutting tools • Prying tools • Pushing / pulling tools • Striking tools

6. FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS • Cutting Tools • Many different types • Often specific to the type of materials they can cut and how fast they can cut them • No such thing as a single cutting tool that will efficiently cut all materials • Using a cutting tool in a way it was not designed can destroy the tool and endanger the operator • Cutting tools may be either manual or powered

7. CUTTING TOOLS • Axes and Hatchets • The most common type of cutting tool available in the fire service • Two basic types • Pick-head • Flat-head • Pick-head axe • 6 pound or 8 pound head • Handle made of either wood or fiberglass • Effective for cutting through natural and lightweight materials

8. CUTTING TOOLS • Axes and Hatchets • Flat-head axe • 6 or 8 pound head • Handles made of either wood or fiberglass • Cuts through a variety of natural and lightweight materials • Can be used as a striking tool

9. CUTTING TOOLS • Handsaws • There are times when the handsaw is necessary because of a small work space • Commonly used handsaws • Carpenter's handsaw • Keyhole saw • Hacksaws • Coping saw

10. CUTTING TOOLS • Power Saws • Make fast and efficient cuts in a variety of materials • Times when these saws should and should not be used • Divided into categories • Rotary (circular) saw • Reciprocating saw • Chain saw • Ventilation saw

11. CUTTING TOOLS • Power Saws • Do not push a saw (or any tool) beyond the limits of its design and purpose • Two things may occur • Tool failure • Injury to the operator • Never use a power saw in a flammable atmosphere • Always use eye protection when operating any power saw

12. CUTTING TOOLS • Power Saws • Rotary (Circular) Saw • Fire service version is often gasoline powered • Blades spin more than 6,000 rpm • Blades range from large-toothed blades for quick rough cuts to fine teeth for a more precise cut • Carbide tipped teeth are superior to standard blades • Less prone to dulling with heavy use

13. CUTTING TOOLS • Power Saws • Rotary (Circular) Saw • Blades specifically designed for cutting metal are also available • Often used in forcible entry • Following both manufacturer’s recommendations and department SOGs are imperative to maintaining a firefighter’s personal safety when operating saws

14. CUTTING TOOLS • Reciprocating Saw • Powerful, versatile and highly controllable saw • Can use a variety of blades for cutting different materials • Require electricity

15. CUTTING TOOLS • Chain Saw (Vent Saw) • Used for years by the logging industry • Sometimes more efficient than the rotary saw • Powerful enough to penetrate dense material yet lightweight enough to be easily handled in awkward positions • Should not be used to cut metal

16. CUTTING TOOLS • Metal Cutting Devices and Cutting Torches • Bolt cutters • Cuts bolts, iron bars, pins, cables, hasps, chains and some padlock shackles • Advances in security technology are limiting the use of bolt cutters • Materials shatter the cutting surface or cause the handles to fail

17. CUTTING TOOLS • Metal Cutting Devices and Cutting Torches • Cutting Torch • Operates by burning away the material being cut • Uses a mixture of flammable gases to generate a flame with a temperature of more than 5,700° F

18. PRYING TOOLS • Prying Tools • Provide an advantage for opening doors, windows, locks and moving heavy objects • Hand (manual) prying tools use the basic principle of the lever to provide a mechanical advantage • Leverage applied incorrectly works against the firefighter • Hydraulic prying tools can either be powered hydraulic or manual hydraulic • Manual hydraulic tools operate slower

19. PRYING TOOLS • Manual Prying Tools • Variety of hand prying tools is available to the fire service • Crowbar • Halligan-type bar • Hux bar • Claw tool • Kelly tool • Pry axe • Flat bar

20. PRYING TOOLS • Hydraulic Prying Tools • Hydraulic rescue spreader tool • Most often associated with vehicle extrication has some uses in forcible entry • Depending on manufacturer, spread as much as 32 inches

21. PRYING TOOLS • Hydraulic Prying Tools • Hydraulic ram • Designed primarily for vehicle extrication • Spreading capabilities ranging from 36 inches to an extended length of nearly 63 inches • Place the ram in between either side of a door frame to spread the frame apart

22. PRYING TOOLS • Hydraulic Prying Tools • Hydraulic door opener, is a hand-operated spreader device and is relatively lightweight • Consists of a hand pump and spreader device • Pressure usually causes the locking mechanism or door to fail • Valuable tool when more than one door must be forced • Apartments or hotels

23. PUSHING / PULLING TOOLS • Pushing / Pulling Tools • Limited use in forcible entry • Tool of choice for breaking glass and opening walls or ceilings • Tools includes • Standard pike pole • Clemens hook • Plaster hook • Drywall hook • San Francisco hook • Multipurpose hook • Roofman's hook

24. PUSHING / PULLING TOOLS • Pushing / Pulling Tools • Gives the firefighter additional reach • Stay out of the way of falling debris • Pike poles and hooks should not be depended on for leverage

25. STRIKING TOOLS • Striking Tools • Basic hand tool consisting of a weighted head attached to a handle • Sledgehammer (8, 10 and 16 pounds) • Maul • Flat-head axe • Sledge hammer • Multi-tool

26. TOOL COMBINATIONS • Tool Combinations • No single forcible entry tool provides the firefighter with the needed force or leverage to handle all forcible entry situations • The most important factor to consider is selecting the proper tools to do the job • Pre-incident surveys will help to determine what tools are required

27. TOOL SAFETY • Hand and power tools used in the fire service can be extremely dangerous if misused or used carelessly • In atmospheres that could be explosive, extreme caution should be taken in the use of power and hand tools that may cause arcs or sparks

28. TOOL SAFETY • Prying Tool Safety • Using prying tools incorrectly creates a safety hazard • Not acceptable to use a "cheater bar" • Can put forces on the tool that are greater than the tool was designed to handle

29. TOOL SAFETY • Circular Saw Safety • Must be used with extreme care to prevent injury from the high-speed rotary blade • Store blades in a clean, dry environment free of hydrocarbon fumes • Hydrocarbons will attack the bonding material in the blades and make them subject to sudden disintegration during use • Match the saw to the task and the material to be cut • Never push a saw beyond its design limitations • Wear proper protective equipment • Do not use any power saw when working in a flammable atmosphere or near flammable liquids

30. TOOL SAFETY • Circular Saw Safety • Keep unprotected and nonessential people out of the work area • Follow manufacturer's guidelines for proper saw operation • Keep blades and chain well sharpened • A dull saw is more likely to cause an accident than a sharp one • Be aware of potential hidden hazards

31. TOOL SAFETY • Carrying Tools • Carry tools and tool combinations in the safest manner possible • Axes • Carry the axe with the blade away from the body • Pick-head axes • Grasp the pick with a hand to cover it • Axes should never be carried on the shoulder

32. TOOL SAFETY • Carrying Tools • Prying Tools • Carry these tools with any pointed or sharp edges away from the body • Combinations of Tools • Strap tool combinations together • Halligan type bars and flat-head axes can be “married” together and strapped

33. TOOL SAFETY • Carrying Tools • Pike Poles and Hooks • Carry with the head down, close to the ground and ahead of the body • These tools can severely injure anyone poked with the working end of the tool

34. TOOL SAFETY • Carrying Tools • Striking Tools • Keep the heads of these tools close to the ground • Maintain a firm grip • Power Tools • Never carry a power tool that is running • Carry the tool to the area where the work will be performed and start it there

35. CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Care and Maintenance of Forcible Entry Tools • Proper care and maintenance of all forcible entry tools are essential ingredients of any forcible entry operation • Tools will function as designed if they are properly maintained and kept in the best of condition

36. CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Wood Handles • Inspect the handle for cracks, blisters or splinters • Sand the handle to minimize hand injuries • Wash the handle with mild detergent, rinse and wipe dry • Do not soak the handle in water because it will cause the wood to swell • Apply a coat of boiled linseed oil to the handle to prevent roughness and warping • Do not paint or varnish the handle • Check the tightness of the tool head • Limit tool marking

37. CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Fiberglass Handles • Wash the handle with mild detergent, rinse and wipe dry • Check the tightness of the tool head • Cutting Edges • Inspect the cutting edge for nicks, tears or metal spurs • Replace cutting edges when required • File the cutting edges by hand • Grinding weakens the tool

38. CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Plated Surfaces • Inspect for damage • Wipe plated surfaces clean or wash with mild detergent and water • Unprotected Metal Surfaces • Keep free of rust • Oil the metal surface lightly. avoid using any metal protectant that contains trichloroethane • Avoid painting • Inspect the metal for spurs, burrs or sharp edges and file them off when found

39. CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Axe Heads • The manner in which the axe head is maintained directly affects how well it works • If the blade is extremely sharp and its body is ground too thin pieces of the blade may break when cutting • If the body of the blade is too thick, regardless of its sharpness, it may be difficult to drive the axe head through ordinary objects

40. CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Power Equipment • Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions • Inspect and ensure power tools will start • Check blades for completeness and readiness • Replace blades that are worn • Check all electrical components for cuts and frays • Ensure that all guards are functional and in place • Ensure that fuel is fresh • Fuel mixtures may deteriorate over time

41. SIZE UP • Door Size-Up and Construction Features • Primary obstacle firefighters face in gaining access to a building is a locked or blocked door • Size-up of the door is an essential part of the forcible entry task • How the door functions • How it is constructed • How it is locked

42. SIZE UP • Door Size-Up and Construction Features • Doors function in one of the following ways • Swinging (either inward or outward) • Sliding • Revolving • Overhead

43. SIZE UP • Door Size-Up and Construction Features • Firefighters should try the door to make sure that it is locked before force is used • “try before you pry!” • If the door is locked, begin additional size-up • Which way does it swing? • Look for the door • In or out? • Does it slide left or right? • Does it roll up?

44. SIZE UP • Door Size-Up and Construction Features • Access doors to residences usually swing inward • Commercial, public assembly doors and industrial doors, swing outward • There will be times that even that best size-up and forcible entry effort will not be successful • Remember not to get focused on one effort and one technique • Spending too much time forcing a door is counterproductive • If the door proves too well secured, find another door

45. SIZE UP • Door Size-Up and Construction Features • After determining how a door functions, you must understand how the door is constructed • Doors range in construction types from interior hollow core to high-security steel • Most common door encountered is the wood swinging door, followed by the steel swinging door

46. SIZE UP • Wood Swinging Doors • Three general categories of wood swinging doors • Panel • Slab • Ledge • Entry doors on structures are usually panel or slab

47. SIZE UP • Wood Swinging Doors • The door is only one component of a door assembly • Doorjambs are the sides of the opening into which the door is fitted • Rabbeted jamb • A shoulder milled into the casing that the door closes against to form a seal • Stopped jamb • Has a piece of molding added to the door frame for the door to close on

48. SIZE UP • Panel Doors • wood panel doors are made of solid wood members insert with panels • panels may be wood or plastic • panel doors often have panels fitted into the door to allow in light • glass • Lexan (polycarbonate) • plastic • Plexiglas

49. SIZE UP • Slab Doors • a very common door • constructed in two ways • solid core • hollow core • many interior doors in residences are hollow core • core or center portion of door is made up of web or grid of glued wood strips over which several layers of plywood veneer panels have been glued

50. SIZE UP • Slab Doors (cont.) • most exterior slab doors found on newly constructed residences are hollow core • exterior slab doors on older homes may be solid core • not pierced by windows or other openings • panels on a slab door are purely decorative