Essentials of Firefighting (4th Edition) Chapter 8-Forcible Entry FF1 Test Review
What is forcible entry?
. the technique used by fire department personnel to gain access to a structure whose means of access is locked, blocked, or non-existent
What is the most important rule of forcible entry?
. TRY BEFORE YOU PRY
When properly used, forcible entry should?
. produce minimal damage . provide quick access for FF's
When should forcible entry not be used?
. when normal means of access are readily available (Unlocked Doors)
What are the types of barriers that FF's encounter?
. doors, walls, floors, locks, padlocks, windows, and fences
What ensures safe and effective forcible entry?
. knowing types of tools available . practice often . know the selection of appropriate tools or sets of tools
What are the 4 basic categories of forcible entry tools?
. cutting tools . prying tools . pushing/pulling tools . striking tools
Name facts of cutting tools?
. often specific to the types of materials they cut . using improper tool for the job can endanger FF's . tools may either be manual or powered
What are 2 types of axes used in the fire service?
. pick-head and flat-head axes
What is a pick-head axe?
. 6 or 8 pound head . handle sizes vary . handles made either of wood or fiberglass . for cutting through wood, shingles, and other natural materials . pick end used to provide a starting point What is a flat head axe?
. 6 or 8 pound head . wood or fiberglass handle . cuts through a variety of natural materials . can be used as a striking tool . when paired with a prying tool, it becomes a vital part of forcible entry
What are some different hand saws?
. carpenter's saw, keyhole saw, hacksaw, coping saw
What is the key to proficiency when using hand saws?
. knowing which saw to use for the job . good handsaw maintenance . practice with handsaws
What type of saws are considered "heavy hitters" of the fire service and why?
. power saws, because they are fast and efficient
What are the different categories of power saws?
. rotary (circular) saw . reciprocating saw . chain saw . ventilation saw
What are some important rules when operating power saws?
. NEVER push a saw beyond it's limits (tool failure and injury can occur) . NEVER use power saws in flammable atmospheres . ALWAYS wear eye protection
Name some facts of rotary (circular) saws.
. often gasoline powered . changeable blades . spin more that 6,000 rpm . large-tooth blades for quick, rough cuts . fine teeth blades for a precise cut
Why are carbide tipped blades popular?
. they are less prone to dulling with heavy use
What must FF's follow when working with power saws to maintain safety?
. manufacturer's recommendations and departmental operating procedures
Name some facts of reciprocating saws.
. very powerful, versatile, and highly controllable . variety of blades for cutting different materials . short, straight blade that moves forward and backward to resemble handsaw movement . MAJOR DRAWBACK = most require electricity Name some facts about chain saws.
. wood cutting saw . used especially in natural disasters, such as tornadoes, ice storms, and when tree limbs must be removed from roadways
Name some facts of ventilation saws.
. relative newcomer to fire service . important that it is powerful enough to penetrate dense material and light enough to be handled in awkward positions . equipped with carbide-tipped chain, depth gauge, and kickback protection . cuts fast through natural materials . should NOT be used as a metal cutting saw
What are some metal cutting devices and cutting torches?
. bolt cutters . oxyacetylene torches
What are some uses of bolt cutters?
. used to cut bolts, iron bars, pins, cables, hasps, chains, and some padlock shackles (DOES NOT CUT CASE- HARDENED LOCKS)
What are some facts about of oxyacetylene torches?
. operates by burning away the material to be cut . generates a flame temperature of about 5,700 degrees Fahrenheit . used for high-security devices . used by highly trained personnel . cuts through almost any material
What are the 2 types of prying tools?
. manual and hydraulic
Name some manual prying tools.
. crowbar, halligan-type bar, pry (pinch) bar, hux bar, claw tool, kelly tool, pry axe, and flat bar
Name some hydraulic prying tools.
. hydraulic spreaders, rams, and door openers
Name some facts of prying tools.
. provide an advantage to FF's for opening doors, windows, locks, and moving heavy objects . hand prying tools use the basic principle of leverage to provide a mechanical advantage . leverage applied incorrectly works against the FF . if an object cannot be forced, a different tool should be selected
What are some facts about hydraulic prying tools?
. can be either powered or manual hydraulic . powered hydraulic tools receive their power from hydraulic fluid pumped through special high-pressure hoses . manual hydraulic tools are slower and labor intensive . one person can use them
What is directly affected by the FF's familiarity with a tool?
. the efficiency in the use under emergency situations
How far can hydraulic spreaders spread?
. as much as 32 inches
How far does a hydraulic ram spread?
. 36 to 63 inches
How does a hydraulic door opener work?
. the spreader device has intermeshed teeth that can slip in between a door and the door frame . pressure exerted causes the locking mechanism to fail . used to open doors that swing inward or away from the FF
What are some pushing/pulling tools?
. standard pike pole, Clemens hook, plaster hook, drywall hook, San Fransico hook, multi-purpose hook, and roofman's hook
What do pushing/pulling tools provide for forcible entry?
. breaking glass . opening walls or ceiling . give the FF a reach advantage . remove shards of glass from a window frame
What are some facts about pushing/pulling tools?
. plaster hooks contain self contained springs that reopen once through a wall or ceiling . roofman's hooks are made of ALL METAL . pushing/pulling tools should NOT be used for prying . allows FF to keep a safe distance from falling glass
What are some striking tools?
. sledgehammer, maul, battering ram, pick, flat-head axe, mallet, hammer, punch, chisel
In most instances, how are striking tools used in forcible entry?
. used in conjunction with another tool to effect entry
What is a tool set?
. combinations of tools to perform forcible entry
What determines types of tool sets carried?
. building construction, security concerns, tool availability
What is the most important factor in selecting a tool? . selecting the right tool(s) for the job
What can help FF's determine what tools might be needed?
. pre-incident surveys
What are some rules of general tool safety?
. read and follow manufacturer's guidelines and department SOP's . use extreme caution in explosive atmospheres when tools cause arcs or sparks . when tools are not in use, properly store and secure on apparatus
What are some tool safety guidelines for prying tools?
. DO NOT use cheater bars . DO NOT use a prying tool for striking
What are some safety guidelines for circular saws?
. blades from different manufacturers may look alike but are not interchangeable . store blades in clean dry place away from hydrocarbon fuels and fumes . blades exposed to hydrocarbon fumes may disintegrate . keep blades lightly oiled
Name some safety rules when using power saws.
. match saw to task . never push saw beyond limits . always wear PPE, gloves, and eye protection . DO NOT use in flammable atmospheres or near flammable liquids . Keep unprotected or nonessential people out of work area . Follow manufacturer's guidelines . Keep blades and chains well sharpened . Be aware of hidden hazards such as electrical wires, gas lines, and water lines
State the recommended way to carry axes.
. blade away from body, with pick-head axes, cover pick with free hand . NEVER carry on shoulder
State the recommended way to carry prying tools.
. with pointed or sharp edges away from body
State the recommended way to carry combinations of tools.
. strap together . short sections of old hose can be slipped over handles of some tools and smaller prying tools inserted into the hose
State the recommended way to carry pike poles and hooks.
. head DOWN outside and UP inside
State the recommended way to carry striking tools. . keep heads close to ground . maintain firm grip
State the recommended way to carry power tools.
. ALWAYS OFF
What will properly maintained forcible entry tools provide?
. they will function as designed
What are the maintenance procedures for wood handles?
. inspect handle for cracks, blisters, or splinters . sand handle to minimize hand injuries . wash with mild soap. DO NOT soak handle. Wood will swell . apply coat of boiled linseed oil to prevent roughness and warping . DO NOT paint or varnish the handle . Check tightness of tool head . Limit tool marking (a small stripe can be used for identification)
What are the maintenance procedures for fiberglass handles?
. wash with mild soap and wipe dry . check tightness of tool head
What are the maintenance procedures for cutting edges?
. inspect for nicks, tears, or metal spurs . replace cutting edges when required . file cutting edges BY HAND, grinding weakens tool
What are the maintenance procedures for plated surfaces?
. inspect for damage . wipe clean or use mild soap and water
What are the maintenance procedures for unprotected metal surfaces?
. keep free of rust . oil metal surface lightly . AVOID using metal protectant that contains 1-1-1 trichloroethane . AVOID painting. Painting hides defects . Inspect for metal spurs, burrs, or sharp edges. File off when found
What are the maintenance procedures for power equipment?
. read and follow manufacturer's instructions . inspect and start manually . check blades for completeness and readiness . replace worn blades . check electrical components for cuts and frays . ensure all guards functional and in place . ensure fuel is fresh
What is the primary obstacle FF's face in gaining access to a building? . locked and blocked doors
What does size-up of a door include?
. how the door functions . how it is constructed . how it is locked
What are the ways in which a door functions?
. swinging (either inward or outward) . sliding . revolving . overhead
What questions does one ask when performing size-up on doors?
. Which way does it swing? . Does it open in or out? . Does it slide right or left? . Does it roll up?
What are some signs of the function of a door?
. if you can see hinges, it swings outward (toward the FF) . if you cannot see hinges, it swings inward (away from FF) . access doors to residences usually swing inward . commercial, public assembly, and industrial doors swing outward due to building codes
What happens if tools or techniques used in forcible entry do not work?
. choose another tool or technique
What happens if a door is too secure to force?
. FF should find another means of entry
What is the most common and next most common doors FF will encounter?
. MOST COMMON-wood swinging door . NEXT MOST COMMON-steel swinging door
What are some other types of doors found?
. sliding, revolving, overhead and fire doors
What are 3 general categories of wood swinging doors?
. panel, slab, ledge
What category of wood swinging doors is usually found on entry doors to homes?
. panel or slab
What is a door jamb? . side of the opening into which the door fits
What is a rabbeted jamb?
. a shoulder milled into the casing that the door closes against to form a seal
What is a stopped jamb?
. has a piece of molding added to the door frame for the door to close on
Name and describe 2 ways a slab door is constructed.
. SOLID CORE-one single solid piece of wood on older exterior doors . HOLLOW CORE-core is made of web or grid of glued wood strips over which several layers of plywood veneer panels are glued
What type of slab doors are found on new construction?
. mostly hollow core (cheaper and lighter than solid core)
What are some fillings used on solid core doors today?
. insulation, soundproofing materials, and compressed mineral material that is fire resistive
Name 2 facts about the openings in slab doors?
. not pierced by windows or openings . panels are purely decorative (on top of surface of door)
Where are ledge doors (aka-batten doors) found?
. warehouses, storerooms, barns, sheds, and other structures
What are ledge doors made of?
. made up of built-up materials, including boards, plywood sheeting, particle board, etc.
What type of locks are used on ledge doors?
. surface locks, hasps, padlocks, bolts, and bars
What types of hinges are found on ledge doors?
. pin type, fastened with screws or bolts
What are 3 types of metal swinging doors?
. hollow metal, metal covered, and tubular
What kind of door jambs are metal doors usually set in?
. Metal door jambs
What kind of door is impractical to force? . a metal door in metal frame in masonry
What may metal doors have as the core?
. solid wood . hollow and filled with fire resistive materials
What is the structural design of a tubular metal door?
. seamless rectangular tube sections
What is the operating hardware on a tubular metal door?
. upper and lower arm, each connected by a concealed point
What are panels in tubular doors usually made of?
. glass
Names some facts of sliding doors?
. generally attached to metal track by rollers and guidewheels . used in patio areas in residences, doors to porches or balconies, hotels, and apartments . usually have a lightweight screen on outside of glass door
What are the different types of glass found in sliding doors?
. Thermopane-double-thickness glass . Safety Glass-tempered, heat treated to increase strength and flexibility . Some have triple pane glass
What are pocket doors?
. Sliding door that slides into a pocket in a wall or partition, sliding out of sight
Describe patio sliding glass doors.
. either slide left or right of a stationary glass panel . slider door is hung from guide wheels in a metal track . usually lockable lightweight screen on outside of glass door . glass panels are heavy glass set in a metal or wood frame
What can make patio doors difficult to force?
. may be barred or blocked by a metal rod or special device from the inside (aka-burglar blocks)
What is a revolving door?
. glass door panels, called quadrants, that revolve around a center shaft
What is fitted on the ends of revolving door panels?
. large rubber weather-stripping to insulate the opening
Which of the revolving door types are easiest to force? . NONE, usually the swinging door next to the revolving doors is the best access
What kind of mechanism is found on all revolving doors?
. one that allows them to collapse in an emergency
What are the 3 types of revolving doors?
. panic proof, drop arm, and metal braced
What type of mechanism does a panic-proof type of revolving door have?
. mechanism has a 1/4-inch (6mm) cable holding the door quadrants apart . mechanism triggered by forcing the panels in opposite directions
What type of mechanism does a drop-arm type of revolving door have?
. mechanism has a solid arm passing through one of the quadrants . a pawl (lock) is located on the quadrant the arm passes through . to collapse, press pawl then push quadrant to the side
What type of mechanism does a metal brace type of revolving door have?
. mechanism resembles gate hook and eye assembly . to collapse, lift hook and fasten it back against the fixed quadrant. Hooks are located on both sides of the quadrant . pivots are cast iron and easily broken
How are overhead doors constructed?
. of wood, metal, or fiberglass
What are the classifications of overhead doors?
. sectional (folding), rolling steel, and slab
Name some facts about sectional (folding) overhead doors.
. not difficult to force unless motor-driven or remotely controlled . latch mechanism usually located in center of door
What is a side lock?
. locking mechanism located on one side of door
What is a side lock and hatch?
. latch located in center of door and lock located on one side of door
How can sectional doors be forced?
. by prying upward at the bottom of the door . less damage will be done of panel is removed and lock is operated from inside
What are awning doors? . pivoting or overhead slab doors
What specific problem does forcing a slab door present?
. door tilts outward from the bottom and a car may prevent it from opening fully
What is a way of prying open a slab door?
. using a pry tool at each side near the bottom
What kind of door is among the toughest forcible entry challenges to FF's?
. rolling steel doors
How are rolling steel doors operated?
. manually, mechanically, or motor-driven
If a rolling steel door is motor or gear driven, how must it be opened?
. by pulling the manual release chain
What is important for FF to do once an overhead door is open?
. block it open in the up position
What does a fire door assembly include?
. door, frame, and associated hardware
What are some types of standard fire doors?
. horizontal and vertical sliding, single and double swinging, and overhead rolling
Where are counterbalanced doors found?
. doors that are generally employed on openings to freight elevators
What are the 2 types of fire doors?
. SELF-CLOSING-returns to the closed position on its own . AUTOMATIC CLOSING-normally remain open unless activated by an alarm system
What types of fire doors close automatically?
. vertical sliding, overhead rolling, horizontal sliding
Why must FF's block open fire doors?
. they can cut off water supply and trap FF's
What are the 4 basic types of locks?
. mortise lock, bored (cylindrical) lock, rim lock, and padlock Where are mortised locks found?
. on private residences, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings
What does a mortise lock consist of?
. a latch mechanism and an opening device (lock not in opening device)
What is the most common type of lock?
. bored (cylidrical) lock . aka-key in knob lock
How long is the latch bolt in bored locks that holds the door closed?
. usually about 3/4-inch which makes them easy to pry open
What is a rim lock?
. an interlocking dead-bolt that is usually surface mounted
What is a padlock?
. portable or detachable locking devices . regular padlocks have shackles of 1/4 inch or less and are NOT case hardened . heavy-duty padlocks are case hardened and have shackles of more than 1/4 inch
On heavy duty padlocks, how must they be cut?
. both side of the shackle must be cut because one side only will not pivot
What is the non-destructive rapid-entry method of gaining access?
. a rapid-entry key box system . holds a set of keys to the building
What is the major problem posed by rapid-entry key box systems?
. maintaining an inventory of keys for entry
Who is responsible for maintaining key box systems?
. the property owner . the fire department indicates the desired location of the boxes . keys may not be duplicated, locksmiths do not carry the molds for duplicate keys
What is conventional forcible entry?
. the use of standard fire department tools to open doors and windows to gain access
What is the best tool combination to force entry with?
. the 8 pound flat head axe and Halligan type tool
What must FF's do when breaking glass to make entry? . have a charged hoseline if fire is present in building . watch out for flying glass . wear full PPE . try to minimize damage
How must inward swinging doors be forced?
. one or two FF's usually pry the locking mechanism away from keeper
What is the best way to force a outward swinging door?
. pry the lock bolt away from the keeper
What are some doors that need additional forcing measures to open?
. double swinging doors, doors with drop bars, and tempered plate glass doors
What is a common problem encountered in double swinging doors?
. molding over the middle of the doors must be removed first to pry the bolt away from the keeper
How can doors with drop bars be opened?
. insert small narrow tool in space between doors and lift bar out of stirrup . cut a triangular hole just below the bar and reach in an remove bar . insert blade of rotary power saw and cut bar
Where might tempered glass doors be encountered?
. in commercial stores, light industry, and institutional occupancies
How should tempered glass be broken?
. place shield over door, turn away from door and strike at bottom corner with pick-head axe
What is the preferred method of entry for commercial, residential security, padlocks and high-security doors?
. through the lock method
When should through the lock method be used?
. when conventional methods have failed
How can the locks on commercial buildings be removed?
. usually by unscrewing cylinder
What is the K-tool useful for?
. for pulling lock cylinders (rim, mortise, or tubular) . used with a Halligan type bar or other prying tool
How much clearance is needed to use a K-tool?
. 1/2 inch What must be used after removing a lock cylinder to open the door?
. a key tool to manipulate the locking mechanism
What is the A-tool used for?
. used with a striking tool to remove a cylinder lock or door knob with a lock
What is the function of a J-tool?
. wire type device that fits through space between double swinging doors equipped with panic hardware . used to manipulate the panic bar to open the door
What does a shove knife do?
. provides rapid access to outward swinging doors by sliding latch past keeper (like a credit card)
What are some tools used to break padlocks?
. duck-billed lock breaker . hammerhead pick . locking pliers and chain . hockey puck lock breaker . bam-bam tool
When will conventional methods of forcing padlocks not work?
. when shackles exceed 1/4 inch and are case-hardened
What is a duck-billed lock breaker?
. wedge shaped tool that widens and breaks shackles
What is a bam-bam tool?
. used to drill a case hardened screw into lock cylinder and pull it out
When will the bam-bam tool not work?
. on Master Locks, American Locks, and other high-quality locks
What must be done to cut a padlock with a power saw?
. the lock must be secured with locking pliers and chain
What are fences made of?
. wood, masonry, woven wire, or metal . may be topped with razor wire or barb wire
Where should wire fences be cut?
. with bolt cutters as near posts as possible . or by removing boards . ladders may also be used to get over fences (masonry or other types) What can breaking the wrong window do?
. can increase the intensity of the fire
What hazards can breaking glass produce?
. flying glass, difficulty advancing hose, glass showering onto victims
What are the different types of windows?
. double-hung (checkrail) normal in residences . hinged (casement) . projected (factory) . jalousie (awning) . high-security
What are replacement windows?
. newer double-hung windows that tilt in for cleaning
What kind of glass do double hung windows contain?
. single, double, or triple pane . Thermopane . Wire glass . Or Plexiglas or Lexan
How are double-hung windows secured?
. usually by thumb locking devices between sashes
What tool should be used for glass removal when possible and why?
. an 8-10 foot pike pole to avoid glass shards
What are casement windows?
. hinged windows constructed of wood or metal that often cranks out . swing outward from structure . extremely difficult to force . locked with simple thumb type lock
What is the most practical way to force a casement window?
. break the lowest pane of glass and clean edges . force or cut screen in same area . reach in and upward to unlock latch . operate cranks or levers to open . completely remove screen and enter
What are projected windows?
. often found on factories and industrial occupancies . forcing accomplished similar to casement windows
What is the best method of forcing entry on projected windows? . find another entry point!! . FF's should not enter through unless absolutely necessary
What do awning and jalousie windows consist of?
. large sections of glass about 1 foot wide and run the length of the window . constructed of a metal or wood frame and usually have double strength glass
What are the most difficult of all windows to force?
. awning and jalousie windows
Should jalousie or awning windows be used for entry?
. NO, it is impractical
What are some characteristics of high-security Lexan windows?
. Lexan is 250 times stronger than safety glass . Lexan is 30 times stronger than acrylic . It is classified as self-extinguishing
How should Lexan be cut?
. with a rotary saw using a carbide tipped medium toothed blade (approximately 40 teeth) . large tooth blades skip off surface . fine tooth blades melt into Lexan
How can Lexan be shattered?
. by discharging a CO2 extinguisher onto the window, causung it to freeze and be able to be shattered
How should mesh or wire guards be forced off windows?
. They should NOT. Too time consuming
How can burglar bars be forced?
. shear off bolt heads . cut the bar assembly with rotary power saw and appropriate blade . cut with oxyacetylene torch
What is breaching?
. gaining access through a wall
What are some safety considerations when breaching a wall?
. electrical wires, plumbing, gas lines . load bearing walls
How can entry be made in a partition?
. select location . check wall for electrical components . have right tools available . sound wall to locate studs . cut along studs to make large opening . remove one stud from center of breach
How can brick or concrete walls be breached?
. by using battering rams . rams require 2-4 FF's to operate
What tools provide the best methods for breaching masonry walls?
. air chisels, hydraulic spreaders, and rotary saws with masonry blades
What type of hole should be cut in masonry walls?
. triangular shape or diamond shape
When must walls be breached?
. ONLY AS A LAST RESORT
What is the best tool for opening metal walls?
. a metal cutting power saw
What are the 2 main types of floor construction?
. wood or concrete
What is the usual spacing of wood joists?
. 16 inches apart
How is the subfloor usually constructed?
. boards laid diagonal to joists and finished floor at right angles
What tool offers the best results in cutting wood floors?
. power saw with wood cutting blade
What is the best way to open a concrete floor?
. compressed-air or electric jackhammer
What is a nozzle that may be used through concrete floors?
. a piercing nozzle (considered a forcible entry tool)