chapter 11 ffi

Essentials of Fire Fighting6th Edition

Firefighter I

Chapter 11 — Forcible Entry

Explain the basic principles of forcible entry.

Learning Objective 1

11–2

Forcible entry has two outcomes when performed properly.

11–3

Forcible entry can be applied to other situations and always requires effective size-up and situational awareness.

11–4

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The supervisor or IC must weigh several factors to determine entry point.

11–5

Firefighters should never force entry without order to do so.

11–6

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What is meant by “Try before you pry”?

11–7

After trying normal entry, look for lock boxes near the main entrance.

11–8

The general considerations for forcible entry include three areas.

11–9

Security barriers require specialized training, tools, and knowledge to force.

11–10

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REVIEW QUESTION

What are the basic principles of forcible entry?

11–11

Describe the basic construction of locksets.

Learning Objective 2

11–12

The term “lockset” describes all types of door latches, locks, and locking devices.

11–13

Door locks and latches can be found on all exterior and many interior doors.

11–14

Mortise locks are mounted into a cavity in the door’s edge and the door jamb.

11–15

Cylindrical locks are the most common lockset and are installed by boring two holes at right angles to each other.

11–16

Cylindrical locks are divided into two types.

11–17

The easiest way to breach modern dead bolts in a wood residential door is to force the door itself.

11–18

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Rim locks are mounted on the interior door surface and are used to supplement doors with or without locks.

11–19

High-security locks come in a variety of forms and functions.

11–20

Other locking devices may supplement a door lock or be used in place of a lock.

11–21

Padlocks are portable or detachable locking devices and are divided into two types.

11–22

Other locking devices firefighters may encounter include the following.

11–23

REVIEW QUESTION

What types of locksets may firefighters encounter during forcible

entry operations?

11–24

Describe considerations a firefighter must take when using forcible entry tools.

Learning Objective 3

11–25

CAUTION!

Always wear appropriate PPE when using forcible entry tools.

11–26

Follow these general considerations when using cutting tools.

11–27

Axes are the most common type of cutting tool in firefighting and have a wide variety of uses.

11–28

Metal cutting devices are used to cut through several types of obstacles in a variety of ways.

11–29

Power saws can be powered in a number of ways and must always be used safely.

11–30

CAUTION!

• Wear eye, hearing, and hand protection when operating any power saw.

• Never force a power saw beyond its design limits. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Do not use a power saw in a flammable atmosphere.

11–31

Electrical or battery-powered circular saws are used in fire fighting, rescue and overhaul operations.

11–32

Rotary saws have interchangeable blades that can produce sparks when used on certain surfaces.

11–33

CAUTION!

Sparks from cutting operations can cause additional fires. Have a charged hoseline or portable fire extinguisher close at hand during cutting.

11–34

WARNING!

Never use a rotary saw to cut the shell of any storage tank that might contain flammable vapors.

11–35

CAUTION!

The blade guards on some rotary saws are not designed for use with carbide-tipped blades. Be sure that the saw is designed for the blades used.

11–36

Reciprocating saws and chain saws both have advantages in specific circumstances.

11–37

Prying tools help open doors, windows, locks, and move heavy objects by providing mechanical advantage.

11–38

Manual prying tools are usually constructed from a single-piece of high-carbon steel 30-36 inches (762-900 mm).

11–39

Hydraulic prying tools come in different forms; manual hydraulic tools have specific benefits and drawbacks.

11–40

Manually powered

Rescue tools and hydraulic door openers can be used effectively for forcible entry.

11–41

Pushing/pulling tools have limited uses for forcible entry, but can break glass and open walls or ceilings.

11–42

Striking tools are basic hand tools with a weighted head attached to a handle.

11–43

Forcible entry tools must be used in combination because no single tool can handle every situation.

11–44

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What is the most important factor to consider before performing forcible entry?

1–45

Keep in mind the following safety guidelines when working with forcible entry tools.

11–46

(Cont.)

Keep in mind the following safety guidelines when working with forcible entry tools.

11–47

(Cont.)

Keep in mind the following safety guidelines when working with forcible entry tools.

11–48

Use extreme care when operating rotary, power, and chain saws to prevent injury.

11–49

(Cont.)

Use extreme care when operating rotary, power, and chain saws to prevent injury.

11–50

(Cont.)

Use extreme care when operating rotary, power, and chain saws to prevent injury.

11–51

REVIEW QUESTION

What are some basic tool safety tips firefighters should follow during

forcible entry operations?

11–52

Protect yourself and others when carrying tools, and get help transporting heavy tools.

11–53

Indicate steps needed to care for and maintain forcible entry tools.

Learning Objective 4

11–54

Forcible entry tools must be maintained properly so they function safely and effectively.

11–55

Refer to manufacturer’s guidelines and department procedures to report damaged tools and remove them from service.

11–56

REVIEW QUESTION

Who cares for and performs maintenance on forcible entry tools?

11–57

Explain the ways to force entry through various types of doors.

Learning Objective 5

11–58

Identify considerations that need to be taken when forcing entry through locks, padlocks, overhead doors, and fire doors.

Learning Objective 6

11–59

Begin forced entry through a door only after size up and with minimum damage.

11–60

Breaking door glass is often the best option when forcing entry.

11–61

Look for the placement of the hinges when forcing swing doors.

11–62

Direction of Entry

Hinge on inside

Hinge on outside

Inward-swinging Outward-swinging

Double-swinging doors and doors with drop bars present unique challenges during forcible entry.

11–63

Forcing entry through a tempered plate glass door has many drawbacks, but may be used as a last resort.

11–64

Glass should be shielded when broken

Determine the method for forcing sliding doors or security doors/gates by identifying the type.

11–65

Through-the-lock entry requires good size-up of the door and lock, and can be accomplished with several tools.

11–66

Forcing padlocks can be accomplished using several methods and tools.

11–67

Use a rotary saw to force entry on an overhead door.

11–68

WARNING!

All overhead doors should be blocked in the up or open position to prevent injury to firefighters if the built-in control device fails.

11–69

Fire doors are usually found inside the structure and should be blocked open after forcible entry as a precaution.

11–70

Closed doors can

cut off hoselines

DISCUSSION QUESTION

Where are fire doors generally encountered in a structure?

1–71

REVIEW QUESTION

How do the considerations that must be taken when forcing entry through swinging and sliding doors compare?

11–72

Describe forcible entry methods used for windows.

Learning Objective 7

11–73

Explain considerations firefighters must take when forcing entry through miscellaneous types of windows and covers

Learning Objective 8

11–74

Forcible entry through windows can be easy, but may create further hazards.

11–75

Breaking window glass is a common entry method, but several factors must be considered.

11–76

Forcing entry by breaking fixed windows should be done only as a last resort.

11–77

Double-hung windows have two sashes and a locking mechanism on the inside.

11–78

Forcing entry on other types of windows depends on their design.

11–79

(Cont.)

REVIEW QUESTION

How does the process for forcing entry through fixed windows compare to forcing entry through awning windows?

11–80

Forcing entry on other types of windows depends on their design.

11–81

(Cont.)

Forcing entry on other types of windows depends on their design.

11–82

(Cont.)

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Forcing entry on other types of windows depends on their design.

11–83

(Cont.)

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Windows

Forcing entry on other types of windows depends on their design.

11–84

REVIEW QUESTION

What dangers may be present when forcing entry through miscellaneous types of windows and covers?

11–85

Describe forcible entry methods for breaching walls.

Learning Objective 9

11–86

Breaching walls requires meeting certain criteria before attempting.

11–87

Breaching exterior walls poses hazards such as structural collapse and concealed utilities.

11–88

DISCUSSION QUESTION

When should a concrete wall be breached?

1–89

Interior walls also conceal utilities and can be either load-bearing or non-load-bearing.

11–90

REVIEW QUESTION

How do forcible entry operations for exterior walls compare to those for interior walls?

11–91

Explain forcible entry methods for breaching floors.

Learning Objective 10

11–92

Breaching floors may be done for several reasons and methods vary by how a floor is constructed.

11–93

A variety of cutting tools are used to breach wooden floors.

11–94

Breaching concrete floors presents more difficulties and requires different cutting tools.

11–95

Using jackhammers or “stitch drilling” can open floors rapidly

REVIEW QUESTION

What does the feasibility of opening a floor during a fire fighting

operation depend on?

11–96

Indicate methods for forcing fences and gates.

Learning Objective 11

11–97

A wide variety of fencing materials can pose a number of hazards when forcing.

11–98

Wire and other types of fences can be forced with cutting tools.

11–99

CAUTION

• Wire will recoil in the direction of the next post on the fence when it is cut.

• Cutting electrified fences before deenergizing the fence may result in electric shock.

11–100

Going over some types of fences may be easier than going through them.

11–101

Security gates may have lock boxes, electronic locks, padlocks, or they may be monitored by staff.

11–102

REVIEW QUESTION

What techniques can be used to force entry through fences or

gates?

11–103

• When normal means of entry is locked or blocked, forcible entry techniques are used to gain access into a structure or area.

• Forcible entry efforts can do minimal damage to a structure or structural components and provide quick access.

Summary

11–104

(Cont.)

• Tools and techniques are used to breach walls and floors to advance hoselines, apply extinguishing agents, access trapped victims, or ventilate an area.

Summary

11–105

Clean, inspect, and maintain hand tools and equipment.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-1.

Learning Objective 12

11–106

Clean, inspect, and maintain power tools and equipment.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-2.

Learning Objective 13

11–107

Force entry through an inward-swinging door – Two-firefighter method.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-3.

Learning Objective 14

11–108

Force entry through an inward-swinging door – Cutting the lock out of the door method.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-4.

Learning Objective 15

11–109

Force entry through an outward-swinging door – Removing hinge-pins method.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-5.

Learning Objective 16

11–110

Force entry though an outward-swinging door – Wedge-end method.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-6.

Learning Objective 17

11–111

Force entry using the through-the-lock method.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-7.

Learning Objective 18

11–112

Force entry using the through-the-lock method using the K-tool.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-8.

Learning Objective 19

11–113

Force entry using the through-the-lock method using the A-tool.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-9.

Learning Objective 20

11–114

Force entry through padlocks.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-10.

Learning Objective 21

11–115

Use a bam-bam tool.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-11.

Learning Objective 22

11–116

Cut a padlock with a rotary saw.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-12.

Learning Objective 23

11–117

Force entry through a window (glass pane).

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-13.

Learning Objective 24

11–118

Force entry through a double-hung window.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-14.

Learning Objective 25

11–119

Force a Lexan® window using a rotary saw.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-15.

Learning Objective 26

11–120

Force entry through a wood-framed wall (Type V construction) with hand tools.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-16.

Learning Objective 27

11–121

Force entry through a wood wall (Type V construction) with a rotary saw or chain saw.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-17.

Learning Objective 28

11–122

Breach a wall using a battering ram.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-18.

Learning Objective 29

11–123

Force entry through a masonry wall with hand tools.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-19.

Learning Objective 30

11–124

Force entry through a metal wall with power tools.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-20.

Learning Objective 31

11–125

Breach a hardwood floor.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-21.

Learning Objective 32

11–126

Bridge a fence with a ladder.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 11-I-22.

Learning Objective 33

11–127