FVCC Fire Rescue
FORCIBLE ENTRY
PART C
[HOMEWORK SECTION]
THROUGH-THELOCK ENTRY
 Unscrewing the lock
cylinder
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Size up door and lock
Check position of key way
Place locking pliers on cylinder
Unscrew cylinder and remove
Identify type of mechanism
Insert key tool into cylinder hole
Manipulate locking mechanism
Open door
THROUGH-THE-LOCK ENTRY
 Using the K-Tool
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Size up door and lock
Check that lock is not protected by
collar or shield
Check key way position
Slide K-tool over cylinder
Tap down with axe or Halligan bar
Insert adze end of pry tool into strap
of K-tool
Pry up on tool
Insert key tool and manipulate lock
Open door
THROUGH-THE-LOCK ENTRY
 Using A-tool
 Size up door and lock
 Check key way position
 Slide A-tool between lock
and door frame
 Tap A-tool behind lock
 Pry up on tool
 Insert key tool and
manipulate lock
 Open door
THROUGH-THE-LOCK ENTRY
 Through padlocks
using Halligan tool
Insert hook of Halligan
type bar into shackle
 Pull lock away from
staple
 Strike bar with axe
 Drive hook through lock
shackle, breaking it

THROUGH-THE-LOCK ENTRY
 Through padlocks using Halligan fork
 Place fork over padlock shackles
 Twist lock until shackles break
THROUGH-THE-LOCK ENTRY
 Through padlock using bolt cutters
 Cut shackles
 Cut chain
 Cut staple
(1) Top row: high-security padlocks with hardened shackles, often protected within
the body of the lock; bottom row: standard padlocks that can be easily defeated
with a pair of bolt cutters or a halligan tool. (Photos by author.) (2) The American
series 2000 (also known as the "hockey puck lock") has its shackle protected
within the body of the lock. (3) The American series 2000 may appear to be a
formidable enemy, but a 36-inch pipe wrench with a cheater bar will usually make
short work of it. (4) Bolt cutters will not work on high-security padlocks. These
locks have "heel and toe" locking-that is, both sides are locked and must be cut
for the lock to open. If you're a real tough firefighter, you may be able to cut
through one side, but the cutter will be damaged and you won't be able to get
through the other side. (5) Standard padlocks can often be forced simply by
striking them with the irons. Place the fork of the halligan over the lock to increase
the striking area. (6) Often, it is much easier to chisel off the hasp than to attack a
tough lock. Some authors suggest twisting the lock off the hasp. This works only if
the hasp is stronger than the lock. If the hasp is cheap, the staple will merely twist
around, forming a tab that will not fit through the opening in the hasp.
Click here to enlarge image
(7) It is often possible to cut through a nonhardened chain, circumventing the lock altogether. This allows the
property owner to secure his property after the emergency is over.
(8) You can use a dent puller (slide hammer, bam-bam tool) to pull the cylinder in standard padlocks. A
screwdriver can then be used to open the lock. Some padlocks that appear to be high security (so-called
"Chinese padlocks" manufactured by Lion, Camel, or Guard) have a cylinder guard that can be easily pried
out with a screwdriver. The cylinder will then simply fall out, and you can use the screwdriver to operate the
lock mechanism.
(9) A duckbill lockbreaker and a 10-pound sledgehammer can be used to separate the shackle from the body
of a high-security padlock. (A miner's pick with one side sawed off will also work.)
(10) You can use a halligan tool to pull the lock away from the door.
(11, 12) The fork of a halligan or a 36-inch pipe wrench can sometimes be used to "snap" the shackle of a casehardened lock. This technique will work only when the hasp is welded heavy-gauge steel. Tighten the lock
firmly against the hasp and then apply your body weight in a quick "snapping" motion. Don't attempt to
"twist" off the lock.
(13) A cutting torch is usually not as quick as a saw, but it may be useful if multiple locks must be cut or a
saw is not available. Note the vise grips attached to a chain being used to pull the lock away from the
door.
(14) A saw equipped with an aluminum oxide blade can be used to cut the pin of a hockey puck lock twothirds of the body up from the keyway. You can also use a torch to burn through the pin.
(15) If a guard protects a disc padlock, you
may have to cut through both the guard
and the lock with a saw. If there are many
locks or if the fire condition is heavy, it is
often faster to make an inverted "V" cut in
a gate and then pull out the slats using a
pair of vise grips.
(16, 17) Your job is not always done when
you get the locks off. Here, you must open
the channel iron guard and operate the
hoisting chain.
(18) Padlocks are often placed in awkward
locations to make it more difficult to defeat
them. You must be vigilant and locate all
the locks. (Note that the "glass" here is
really Plexiglas®.)
CLEANING, MAINTAINING, & INSPECTING
HAND TOOLS
 Wood handles
 Inspect for cracks, blisters or splinters
 Sand to minimize hand injuries
 Wash with mild detergent, rinse and dry
 Apply boiled linseed oil
 Do not paint or varnish
 Check for tightness of head
CLEANING, MAINTAINING, & INSPECTING
HAND TOOLS
 Fiberglass handles
 Wash with mild detergent, rinse and dry
 Check tightness of head
 Cutting edge
 Inspect for nicks, tears or metal spurs
 Replace when required
 File edges by hand
CLEANING, MAINTAINING, & INSPECTING
HAND TOOLS
 Plated surfaces
 Inspect for damage
 Wipe clean or wash with mild detergent
 Unprotected metal surfaces
 Keep free of rust
 Oil metal surface lightly
 Avoid painting
 Inspect for spurs, burrs or sharp edges
CLEANING, MAINTAINING, & INSPECTING
HAND TOOLS
 Axe heads
 Do not paint axe heads
 Sharpen with file, not grinder
 Power equipment
 Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions
 Ensure tools will start manually
 Check blade for readiness and replace, if needed
 Check electrical components for cuts and frays
 Ensure all guards are in place
 Ensure fuel is fresh
VS 8A-1
CUTTING TOOLS: AXES
1. ____
4. ____
2. ____
a. Multipurpose Axe
b. Pick-head Axe
c. Pry Axe
3. ____
d. Flat-head Axe
VS 8A-2
CUTTING TOOLS:
HANDSAWS
5. ___
8. ___
6. ___
a. Keyhole Saw
b. Hacksaw
c. Coping Saw
d. Carpenter’s Saw
7. ___
VS 8A-3
CUTTING TOOLS:
POWER SAWS
9. __
10. __
a. Circular Saw b. Chain Saw c. Reciprocating Saw
11. __
VS 8A-4
12. __
METAL-CUTTING TOOLS
14. __
15. __
13. __
a. Bolt Cutters b. Oxyacetylene Outfit c. Torch
d. Wire Cutters
VS 8A-5
MANUAL PRYING TOOLS
16. __
a. Crowbar
b. Hux Bar
17. __
c. Pry Axe
d. Pry Bar
18. __
19. __
VS 8A-5
MANUAL PRYING TOOLS
20. __
21. __
22. __
23. __
a. Claw Tool
b. Flat Bar
c. Halligan-type Bar
d. Kelly Tool
VS 8A-6
HYDRAULIC PRYING TOOLS
24. __
25. __
26. __
a. Extension Ram
b. Hydraulic Door Opener
c. Hydraulic Spreaders
VS 8A-7
MANUAL PUSHING/PULLING TOOLS
a. Drywall Hook
27. ___
b. Plaster Hook
c. Roofman’s Hook
28. ___
29. ___
VS 8A-7
MANUAL PUSHING/PULLING TOOLS
30. ___
a. Clemens Hook
b. Multipurpose Hook
31. ___
c. Pike Pole
d. San Francisco Hook
32. ___
33. ___
VS 8A-8
STRIKING TOOLS
34. ___
a. Battering Ram
35. ___
b. Chisel
c. Flat Head Axe
36. ___
37. ___
38. ___
d. Maul
e. Punch
VS 8A-8
STRIKING TOOLS
39. ___
a. Hammer (Ball Peen & Claw)
b. Mallet
40. ___
c. Pick
d. Sledgehammer
41. ___
42. ___
VS 8A-9
TOOLS FOR FORCING LOCKS
44. ___
43. ___
a. A-Tool b. J-Tool c. K-Tool d. Shove Knife
45. ___
46. ___
VS 8A-10
TOOLS FOR BREAKING PADLOCKS
48. ___
47. ___
49. ___
51. ___
50. ___
a. Bam-Bam Tool b. Duck-Billed Lock Breaker
d. Hockey Puck Lock Breaker
c. Hammerheaded Pick
e. Locking Pliers and Chain
VS 8B-2
WOOD DOOR CONSTRUCTION
54. ___
55. ___
56. ___
57. ___
Door Construction
58. ___
59. ___
60. ___
a. Frame and Brace b. Ledge c. Metal Clad d. Tubular
61. ___
SLIDING DOORS &
REVOLVING DOORS
VS 8B-4
63. ___
62. ___
64. ___
a. Pocket Door b. Revolving Door c. Sliding Patio Door
VS 8B-5
OVERHEAD DOOR TYPES
65. ___
67. ___
a. Folding Panel b. Pivoting Slab c. Rolling Steel d. Sectional Trolley
66. ___
68. ___
VS 8B-7
LOCKS & LOCKING DEVICES
70. ___
71. ___
69. ___
72. ___
a. Bored (Cylindrical) Lock b. Mortise Lock c. Padlock d. Rim Lock
Homework
 Select facts about forcing swinging, sliding, revolving, and overhead doors.
Write the correct letters on the blanks.
 73. In what type of revolving door are the wings collapsed by pushing them
in opposite directions?
a. Panic-proof b. Drop-arm
c. Metal-brace d. Chain-locked
74. Where are ledge-type doors most likely to be encountered?
A . Industrial and mercantile building b. Residences
c. Warehouses, storerooms, and barns d . Hospitals, nursing homes, prisons
75. What is the first step a firefighter should take in forcible entry of doors and
windows?
a. Identify the type of locking mechanism. b. Identify the construction type.
c. Try to open the door or window. d. Determine the proper tool for the job.
Homework
76. In what type of revolving door are the wings collapsed by forcing the
door with a bar at the pivots?
a. Metal-braced b. Panic-proof c. Drop-arm d. Chain-locked
77. How should sliding patio doors barred with burglar blocks be forced?
a. Pried straight back from the lock b. Pried from their bottom track
c. Pried from their top track
d. Breaking the glass as for tempered plate glass windows
78. Which type of overhead door is the most difficult to force?
a. Hollow core slab b. Solid core slab
c. Rolling steel d . Sectional
VS 8B-15
OVERHEAD DOOR LOCKS
& LATCHES
79. ___
a. Center Latch
b. Side Lock
80. ___
c. Side Lock and Latch
81. ___
A. Cut/Force
B. Cut near post
Padlocked Gate in
Chain-link Fence
82. ___
C. Ladder wall
Board Fence
83. ___
Masonry Wall
84. ___
D. Pry off
Wire Fence
85. ___
VS 8B-17
WINDOW CONSTRUCTION
86. ___
87. ___
88. ___
89. ___
a. Awning b. Casement
c. Checkrail d. Jalousie
90. ___
e. Projected
Homework
Select facts about opening floors and walls. Write the correct letters on the blanks.
90. Generally, how far apart are the wood floor joists of wood floor construction?
a. 16 inches on center
b. 12 inches on center
b. c. 24 inches on center d. 14 inches on center
91. Generally, a wood sub-floor runs __ to the joists and the finish floor runs ___ to the joists.
a. Parallel; at a right angle
b. Diagonally; parallel
b. c. Diagonally; at a right angle d. At a right angle; diagonally
92. For which of the following applications would a puncture or penetrating nozzle be most
effective?
a. Lath and plaster partitions b. Fire doors c. Concrete floors d. Steel exterior walls
93. What shape hole should be made when breaching exterior masonry walls or rolling steel
doors?
a. Square b. Round c. Triangular d. Rectangular
94. What is normally the best tool for opening an exterior metal wall?
a. Oxyacetylene torch b. Power saw c. Hacksaw d. Axe
Homework
Select facts about forcing windows and screened and barred openings. Write the correct numbers on
the blanks. (2 pts. each, 18/20)
96. What is the general technique to gain entry through a locked window?
a. Pry the sash b. Remove the frame c. Force the lock d. Break the glass
97. When breaking glass to gain entry through a projected window, where is the glass broken?
a. As close to the latch as possible b. At top of top pane
c. Directly opposite the latch
d. At top of bottom pane
98. Which of the following windows is the most difficult to force?
a. Casement b. Checkrail c. Jalousie d. Factory projected
99. In which window type below should access be gained by simple prying rather than by breaking the
glass and unlocking the latch?
a. Metal-framed checkrail window b. Wood-framed projected-in factory window
c. Metal-framed jalousie window d. Wood-framed checkrail window
100. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Lexan® window panes?
a. It is 30 times stronger than acrylic.
b. It is 250 times stronger than safety glass.
c. It is a thermoplastic made of silicon and Plexiglas®.
d. It is classified as self-extinguishing.