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