Continuing Education
for the Fire Fighter
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
Forcible Entry
Module 1
Chapter 11
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe
considerations a
firefighter
Explain the basic must take
principles of when using forcible
forcible entry. entry tools.
Describe the basic Indicate steps
construction of needed to care for
locksets. and maintain
forcible entry tools.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Clean, inspect, and
maintain hand tools
and equipment.
Clean, inspect, and
maintain power tools
and equipment.
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FORCIBLE ENTRY HAS TWO OUTCOMES
WHEN PERFORMED PROPERLY.
Causes minimal Provides quick
structural access to
damage emergency
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FORCIBLE ENTRY CAN BE APPLIED TO OTHER SITUATIONS
AND ALWAYS REQUIRES EFFECTIVE SIZE-UP AND
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.
Vehicles Railway passenger cars
Courtesy of Rich Mahaney
Aircraft Ships
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THE SUPERVISOR OR IC MUST WEIGH SEVERAL
FACTORS TO DETERMINE ENTRY POINT.
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FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD NEVER FORCE ENTRY
WITHOUT ORDER TO DO SO.
Try before you pry
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AFTER TRYING NORMAL ENTRY, LOOK FOR
LOCK BOXES NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE.
- Avoids
unnecessary
damage
- May be quicker
than forcing
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THE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR
FORCIBLE ENTRY INCLUDE THREE AREAS.
Doors
and locks
Proper Security
tools barriers
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SECURITY BARRIERS REQUIRE SPECIALIZED
TRAINING, TOOLS, AND KNOWLEDGE TO FORCE.
Courtesy of Los Angeles Fire Department - ISTS
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THE TERM “LOCKSET” DESCRIBES ALL TYPES OF
DOOR LATCHES, LOCKS, AND LOCKING DEVICES.
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DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES CAN BE FOUND ON
ALL EXTERIOR AND MANY INTERIOR DOORS.
Latches Locks Nontraditional
Mortise Multiple bolts
Cylindrical Keyless
Rim Electromagnetic
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MORTISE LOCKS ARE MOUNTED INTO A CAVITY IN
THE DOOR’S EDGE AND THE DOOR JAMB.
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CYLINDRICAL LOCKS ARE THE MOST COMMON
LOCKSET AND ARE INSTALLED BY BORING TWO HOLES
AT RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER.
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CYLINDRICAL LOCKS ARE DIVIDED INTO
TWO TYPES.
Key-in-knob Tubular dead bolt
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THE EASIEST WAY TO BREACH MODERN DEAD BOLTS
IN A WOOD RESIDENTIAL DOOR IS TO FORCE THE
DOOR ITSELF.
Courtesy of Rich Mahaney
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RIM LOCKS ARE MOUNTED ON THE INTERIOR DOOR
SURFACE AND ARE USED TO SUPPLEMENT DOORS WITH
OR WITHOUT LOCKS.
Night latch Dead bolt Vertical dead bolt
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HIGH-SECURITY LOCKS COME IN A VARIETY
OF FORMS AND FUNCTIONS.
Electronic
Multiple bolts Electromagnetic
keyless/digital
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OTHER LOCKING DEVICES MAY SUPPLEMENT A
DOOR LOCK OR BE USED IN PLACE OF A LOCK.
Drop
Padlock bar or
chain
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PADLOCKS ARE PORTABLE OR DETACHABLE
LOCKING DEVICES AND ARE DIVIDED INTO
TWO TYPES.
Standard
Heavy duty
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OTHER LOCKING DEVICES FIREFIGHTERS MAY
ENCOUNTER INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING.
Drop bar Door chain Door limiter
Internal-
Surface bolt
mounted bolt
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CAUTION
Always wear
appropriate
PPE when
using forcible
entry tools.
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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN USING CUTTING TOOLS.
Specific to
Manual or
material
other power
they cut and
source
how quickly
No tool cuts Inappropriate
use can
all material
damage tool,
safely and endanger
efficiently operator
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AXES ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF CUTTING
TOOL IN FIREFIGHTING AND HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF
USES.
Pick-head Flat-head
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METAL CUTTING DEVICES ARE USED TO CUT
THROUGH SEVERAL TYPES OF OBSTACLES IN A
VARIETY OF WAYS.
Bolt cutters Cutting torches Rebar cutters
Hand saws
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POWER SAWS CAN BE POWERED IN A NUMBER
OF WAYS AND MUST ALWAYS BE USED SAFELY.
Always wear eye, Misuse leads to
hearing, and hand property damage and
protection injury
Never use in flammable
atmosphere; sparks can
cause fire, explosion
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CAUTION
Wear eye,
hearing, and
hand
protection
when
operating any
power saw.
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CAUTION
Never force a
power saw beyond
its design limits.
Follow the
manufacturer’s
recommendations.
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CAUTION
Do not use a
power saw in
a flammable
atmosphere.
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ELECTRICAL OR BATTERY-POWERED CIRCULAR SAWS
ARE USED IN FIRE FIGHTING, RESCUE AND OVERHAUL
OPERATIONS.
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ROTARY SAWS HAVE INTERCHANGEABLE BLADES THAT
CAN PRODUCE SPARKS WHEN USED ON CERTAIN
SURFACES.
For wood, metal, or
masonry
Large tooth/fine tooth
Carbide-tipped teeth
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CAUTION
Sparks from cutting
operations can cause
additional fires. Have
a charged hoseline
or portable fire
extinguisher close at
hand during cutting.
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WARNING
Never use a rotary
saw to cut the
shell of any
storage tank that
might contain
flammable vapors.
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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.
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RECIPROCATING SAWS AND CHAIN SAWS BOTH HAVE
ADVANTAGES IN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
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PRYING TOOLS HELP OPEN DOORS, WINDOWS, LOCKS,
AND MOVE HEAVY OBJECTS BY PROVIDING
MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE.
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MANUAL PRYING TOOLS ARE USUALLY CONSTRUCTED
FROM A SINGLE-PIECE OF HIGH-CARBON STEEL 30-36
INCHES (762-900 MM).
One end has
hook, pike
tip, adz
Other end
beveled into
wedge, fork
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HYDRAULIC PRYING TOOLS COME IN DIFFERENT FORMS;
MANUAL HYDRAULIC TOOLS HAVE SPECIFIC BENEFITS AND
DRAWBACKS.
Manually powered
- Smaller - Labor
- Lighter intensive
- Easier to carry - Operate
slowly
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RESCUE TOOLS AND HYDRAULIC DOOR OPENERS
CAN BE USED EFFECTIVELY FOR FORCIBLE ENTRY.
Recuse Tools
Door opener
• Spreaders and rams
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PUSHING/PULLING TOOLS HAVE LIMITED USES FOR
FORCIBLE ENTRY, BUT CAN BREAK GLASS AND OPEN
WALLS OR CEILINGS.
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STRIKING TOOLS ARE BASIC HAND TOOLS WITH A
WEIGHTED HEAD ATTACHED TO A HANDLE.
Sledgehammer Battering ram
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FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS MUST BE USED IN
COMBINATION BECAUSE NO SINGLE TOOL CAN
HANDLE EVERY SITUATION.
Irons
• Flat-head
axe with
Halligan tool
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KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING SAFETY GUIDELINES
WHEN WORKING WITH FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS.
Use Right tool
Wear full
undamaged for the right
PPE
tools opening
Use tool only Weight Ensure enough
for intended balanced on room to
purpose both feet operate tool
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KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING SAFETY GUIDELINES
WHEN WORKING WITH FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS.
Sudden release Ensure other
Be aware of
of energy when personnel out
environment
opened of area
Manufacturer’s
guidelines, Keep tools in Ensure secured
department designated place in brackets
SOPs
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KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING SAFETY GUIDELINES
WHEN WORKING WITH FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS.
Repair or
Prying tools
replace
used incorrectly
damaged tools
create hazards
immediately
Use larger Don’t use
tool if job prying tool as
calls for it striking tool
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USE EXTREME CARE WHEN OPERATING ROTARY,
POWER, AND CHAIN SAWS TO PREVENT INJURY.
Match saw/saw blade to task and material
Do not force saw beyond its design limits
Wear full PPE
Fully inspect saw before and after use
Do not use saw around flammable material
Maintain situational awareness
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USE EXTREME CARE WHEN OPERATING ROTARY,
POWER, AND CHAIN SAWS TO PREVENT INJURY.
Keep unprotected/nonessential people away
Follow manufactures guidelines
Keep blade and chains sharpened
Be aware of hidden hazards
Remember blades continue to spin
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USE EXTREME CARE WHEN OPERATING ROTARY,
POWER, AND CHAIN SAWS TO PREVENT INJURY.
Use only approved blades on saw
Be aware of twisting caused by spinning blade
Start cuts at full rpm to prevent binding
Store blade in clean, dry environment
Keep composite blade away from gasoline fumes
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PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS WHEN CARRYING
TOOLS, AND GET HELP TRANSPORTING HEAVY TOOLS.
Axes
Power tools Prying tools
Specific safety
practices
Striking tools Combination
Pike poles
and hooks
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FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS MUST BE MAINTAINED
PROPERLY SO THEY FUNCTION SAFELY AND
EFFECTIVELY.
Tool failure
Delays
Injury
Death
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REFER TO MANUFACTURER’S GUIDELINES AND
DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES TO REPORT DAMAGED TOOLS
AND REMOVE THEM FROM SERVICE.
Wooden Fiberglass Cutting
handles handles edges
Unprotected
Plated Power
metal
surfaces equipment
surfaces
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SUMMARY
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.
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