Firefighters Support
Foundation
Basic Forcible Entry
v1.1
About FSF
The Firefighters Support Foundation is a 501c3
non-profit organization whose primary
mission is to develop, produce and distribute
training programs to firefighters and first
responders. All of our programs are
distributed free of charge.
Basic Forcible Entry
2
Permission
Permission is granted to reproduce or
distribute this material so long as the
Firefighters Support Foundation is
credited as the source
Basic Forcible Entry
3
Accompanying Video
This PowerPoint presentation accompanies the
video presentation of the same title.
Basic Forcible Entry
4
Presenter
Firefighter Brent Wellington
12 years professional firefighting experience
Oregon State Certified Instructor:
•
•
•
Structural Collapse Technician
Rope Rescue Technician
Truck Company Operations
Basic Forcible Entry
5
Outline
•
•
•
•
•
•
Physics of levers
Forcible entry tools
Residential vs. commercial construction
Door size-up
Thru-the-lock methods
Conventional forcible entry
Presentation title
6
Physics of Levers
Classes of levers
– Class 1 has fulcrum between the input and output
– Class 2 has output between input and fulcrum
– Class 3 has input between output and fulcrum
Basic Forcible Entry
7
Forcible Entry Tools
Halligan Tool with Probar Design
– 24” or 30” tool length
Basic Forcible Entry
8
Forcible Entry Tools
Flathead Axe
– 6lb or 8lb head
Basic Forcible Entry
9
Forcible Entry Tools
Sledgehammer
– 8lb, 10lb, 12lb
Basic Forcible Entry
10
Thru-the-lock Tools
• K-Tool
• Rex Tool
• O-Tool
• Shove knife
Basic Forcible Entry
11
Hydraulic Tools
Hydra Ram
Basic Forcible Entry
12
Power Saws
Gas Powered Rotary Saw
Basic Forcible Entry
13
Power Saws
Rescue Chainsaw
Basic Forcible Entry
14
Residential vs. Commercial
• Styles of door
• Hollow-core
• Slab
• Tubular aluminum
• Frames and surrounding structure
• Wood
• Metal
• Masonry
Basic Forcible Entry
15
Door Size-up
Choose best entry point for situation
• Construction materials and features
• Type of occupancy
• Location of door
• Number of locks
Basic Forcible Entry
16
Door Size-up
• Try before you pry
• Where are the locks
• Test the door
Basic Forcible Entry
17
Thru-the-Lock Method
• Can be quicker than conventional forcible
entry with proper training and practice, but
requires specific tools.
• Leaves an intact structure for ventilation and
securing the structure after operations.
• Lower repair cost for building owner.
Basic Forcible Entry
18
Thru-the-Lock Method
• Key-in-knob lock
• Tubular deadbolt
• Mortise lock
• Rim lock
Basic Forcible Entry
19
Thru-the-Lock Method
Mortise lock
Basic Forcible Entry
20
Thru-the-Lock Method
Rim lock
External view
Internal
views
Basic Forcible Entry
21
Conventional Forcible Entry
• Requires sound understanding of principles
• Requires proper equipment
• Requires regular training
Basic Forcible Entry
22
Gap-Set-Force
• Gap the door to create a purchase point
– 6 inches above or below lock or between two locks
• Set the tool by driving it to the desired depth
– Standard doors require the halligan to be driven until the
crotch of the forks are near the door panel
• Force the door using sharp inward movements
Basic Forcible Entry
23
Team Approach
• Halligan Firefighter• Positions and manipulates Halligan tool
• Calls either “Hit” or “Stop”
• Main focus is correct placement of tool.
• Axe Firefighter
• Provide controlled strikes to halligan tool when called
for
• Helps to control swing of door when forced
Basic Forcible Entry
24
Inward Swinging Door
• Lack of visible hinges
• Most residential entries
Basic Forcible Entry
25
Outward Swinging Door
• Hinges will be visible
• Common on commercial
occupancies
Basic Forcible Entry
26
Security Features
Security Screen Doors
Basic Forcible Entry
27
Security Features
Drop bar assemblies- Inward/Outward
Basic Forcible Entry
28
In Closing…
• Try before you pry
• Use your time on the training ground for
increasing your skill level, so the lessons on
scene can be less painful
• Aim to have your “Plan A” be a practiced skill
Basic Forcible Entry
29
Acknowlegements
• Unifire
• Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
Presentation title
30
Contact Information
bwellington99@yahoo.com
Basic Forcible Entry
31