Chapter 17. Forcible Entry

Transcription

1 Chapter 17 Forcible Entry

2 Introduction 2 ½ million homes broken into each year Owners install a variety of locking devices to protect both homes and businesses Forcible entry often one of the first operations conducted at a scene to gain entry Forcible entry is a combination of knowledge and skill Must have knowledge of building construction and locking devices 17.2

3 Figure 17-1 A typical assortment of forcible entry tools used by fire departments. 17.3

4 Knowledge Working knowledge of locks, hardware, doors, and other assemblies is essential Must be able to size up the quickest and easiest way to gain access Firefighter must know which type of tool to use and best method to gain access 17.4

5 Skill Involves a firefighter s ability to apply knowledge of: Building construction Lock assemblies Tools Techniques Skills developed by repeated practice 17.5

6 Experience Acquired by three means: Drills and practice Scene of actual fires and emergencies Learning about others experiences through case studies and reports 17.6

7 Forcible Entry Tools Selection and right use of the right tool are essential Right tool is the quickest and easiest way to complete operation Many tools have more than one name 17.7

8 Table 17-1 Forcible Entry Tools 17.8

9 Striking Tools Used to deliver impact to other tools Used for impact delivery to the lock or the door itself May force the door or even break it down Types of striking tools: Flathead ax Maul/sledge Ram 17.9

10 Figure 17-3 The group or family of striking tools includes the maul, small hammer, flathead ax, and Denver tools

11 Prying and Spreading Tools Used to spread apart a door, move objects, or expose locking device Halligan tool Claw tool Kelly tool Hydraulic spreaders Miscellaneous prying tools 17.11

12 Figure 17-7 The group or family of prying tools includes the Halligan, claw tool, hux bar, Detroit door opener, pry bar, and hydraulic spreaders

13 Cutting Tools Cut away materials and expose locking device: Ax Handsaws Bolt cutters Power cutting tools saws Carbide-tipped blades and metal cutting blade Masonry cutting blades Chain saws and reciprocating saws Cutting torch 17.13

14 Figure The group or family of cutting tools includes axes, saws (both power and manual), and bolt and wire cutters

15 Pulling Tools Hook or pike pole most common Grouped by type of head and handle length Used to: Open walls and ceilings Vent windows Pull up roof boards 17.15

16 Figure The most common type of pulling tool is the hook or pike pole, available in various styles and lengths

17 Special Tools Number of specialized tools available to assist forcible operations: Bam bam or dent puller Duck bill lock breaker K-tool and lock pullers Most tools used in combination with other tools to accomplish a task 17.17

18 Safety with Forcible Entry Tools If misused or used for wrong task, forcible entry tools will create safety hazards General rules apply to all operations Always wear personal protective equipment Follow manufacturer guidelines Do not attempt to cut material for which a tool was not designed Tools must be in proper condition Never use tools alone Tools should be properly stored and easily accessible 17.18

19 Rotary and Chain Saws Remove security gates, barred windows, and overhead doors These saws present a number of hazards Firefighters should follow operation and safety guidelines 17.19

20 Carrying Tools Many tools have sharp or pointed ends and must be carried safely: Carry ax with blade away from body Pointed and sharp end of prying ax carried away from body With striking tools, head carried close to the ground and not swung freely 17.20

21 Hand Tools Constructed of: Metal Wood Fiberglass Combination of materials Tools inspected regularly for: Cracks in the handles Burrs in the metal Loose heads 17.21

22 Maintenance of Forcible Entry Tools General guidelines Cleaned and inspected on regular basis Documentation of tool maintenance is important Follow manufacturer guidelines for battery-operated tools Specific guidelines for: Metal heads and parts Fiberglass handles Wood handles 17.22

23 Construction and Forcible Entry Type of construction of many different features of buildings must be recognized and understood Thorough knowledge leads to successful forcible entry operations 17.23

24 Door Construction Manufactured in many styles Door assembly: Door, frame or jamb Mounting hardware Locking device mounted in a jamb, which is rabbeted Rabbeted jamb milled into the casing that the door closes against to form a seal Stopped jamb has molding nailed or attached to the casing Can be removed allowing access to lock assembly 17.24

25 Figure Doors are manufactured in a variety of styles and materials

26 Figure The parts of a door assembly

27 Types of Doors Three types of wood doors: panel, flush, ledge Metal doors are hollow-core or metal clad Two main types of glass doors: metal, tempered Other types of doors: Sliding doors Revolving doors Overhead doors Residential and commercial garage doors Roll-down steel doors and gates 17.27

28 Locks Locks keep unwanted visitors out of a building Know types of locks, how they operate, and how to disable them Key in the knob lock Mortise lock Rim locks Tubular locks Padlocks Special locks 17.28

29 Figure The parts of a lock device

30 Figure Rim locks (from left to right): a dead bolt, a vertical bolt and striker plate, and a vertical bolt with key cylinder. Figure Tubular dead bolts. (Courtesy of Master Lock Company, LLC.) 17.30

31 Additional Security Devices Additional security may be simple or complex Simple example: broom handle in track of sliding door Complex example: additional locks Forcible entry team may need to find alternative means of entry or use rotary saw Obtain unwanted locks and use as training aids 17.31

32 (A) (B) Figure These auxiliary locking devices are usually not detected by the forcible entry team: (A) floor-mounted stop plate, (B) door blocker 17.32

33 (C) (D) Figure (cont d.) (C) steel bar and brackets, and (D) sliding bolt. Note that the bar and sliding bolt are often homemade devices

34 Methods of Forcible Entry Three standard methods: Conventional Through-the-lock Power tools All forcible entry operations must be coordinated with fire attack and ventilation Lack of coordination may result in rapid fire spread or backdraft 17.34

35 Conventional Forcible Entry Old and reliable method Use of leverage, force, and impact Primary tools: Halligan tool Flathead ax Accomplish one or more of the following: Force door away from jamb Break lock, striker, door, and/or frame Force the hinges; breach the wall or door 17.35

36 Through-the-Lock Forcible Entry Involves attacking the locking mechanism Remove key cylinder and operate lock with alternative means Used when entry needs to be gained with damage kept to a minimum 17.36

37 Operating Lock Mechanisms Manipulate lock by using proper key tool Flat steel key Square key tool Lock cylinders fall into two categories Mortise Rim lock Correct tool determined by examining the cylinder 17.37

38 Figure To operate the lock, look at the back of the cylinder to determine the right key tool to use

39 Lock Variations Many locks have a spring-loaded shutter Rim lock with night latch can only be unlocked from inside Locks such as key in knob and tubular dead bolts are opened in manner similar to rim lock 17.39

40 Windows Many types, architectural styles, sizes, and construction Windows used as an alternative means of entry Four construction features of windows: Glazing Sash Frame Security devices 17.40

41 Figure Windows are found in many types, architectural styles, sizes, and construction

42 Forcible Entry of Windows Each type of window requires a special technique to force entry Two general reasons to force a window: Gain entry Horizontal ventilation 17.42

43 Figure Use a long-handled tool such as a hook or pike pole to break glass out of a window

44 Glazing Most common glazing material is glass Different types of glass: Regular or plate glass Tempered glass Laminated glass Wire glass 17.44

45 Types of Windows Several types of windows: Double hung/check rail windows Energy-efficient windows Casement windows Awning windows Jalousie windows Projected windows Fixed windows Bars and gates 17.45

46 Breaching Walls and Floors Emergency situations often dictate that walls of structure must be opened Two main considerations when breaching walls: Type of construction of the building Wood construction with lath and plaster or drywall easy to breach Brick and reinforced concrete require more effort Tools available Ordinary hand tools are usually sufficient Solid masonry may require specialized tools 17.46

47 Figure The firefighter uses an ax handle or Halligan tool to poke through a wall to determine if there are any obstructions on the other side

48 Techniques for Breaching Walls Different types of walls present new challenges Breaching wood-framed walls Avoid area around doors and corners Breaching masonry walls block or brick Without power tools only option may be 12- pound maul Breaching reinforced concrete walls and floors Most common tool used is the jackhammer May need oxyacetylene torch Breaching metal walls Location of heavy structural members located first 17.48

49 Techniques for Breaching Floors Cutting wood floors with a power saw Rotary saw with 12-inch-diameter carbide- tipped blade Cutting wood floors with an ax Locate floor joists and cut along joist Pull up finish flooring to expose subflooring Make all cuts on subfloor first before pulling up 17.49

50 Figure A rectangle, square, or triangle can be cut, followed by the removal of the finished flooring and the subflooring

51 Tool Assignments Necessary tools must be carried in with first on-scene and later arriving units Tool assignments based on: Occupancy and construction of building Position or task assigned Department standard operating procedures (SOPs) or policies 17.51

52 Lessons Learned Forcible entry is a key tactic Must understand tools, equipment, and methods Teamwork is an essential element Forcible entry must be done quickly Firefighter must continually size up buildings 17.52