Forcible Entry Operations for Zero/Limited Visibility Situations

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Permalink Reply by Chuck on December 23, 2008 at 8:57pm

I read your article and got some good info from it. My thoughts are, that firefighters should get out there and know their buildings! Pre-plan as often as you can. So when a situation arises that you have limited visibility, you at least are oriented. Know the construction type, types of locks you are likely to find. Take a trip to the local hardware stores and home centers within your immediate area as well as mutual aide areas. See what types of locks are being sold.(these are readily available to homeowners and business owners) i.e.- Key in Knob, Add-ons, padlocks, deadbolts, etc.! In my area the two most common residential locks being sold are Schlage and kwickset key in knob with 1 inch tubular deadbolts. Add-ons are the typical rim locks with night latch. In the older sections of the neighborhood, there are still mortise locks being used. Almost all store fronts have narrow stile alluminum frame doors with Adams rite hardware, some with mortise locks. Stripmall steel rear doors have panic hardware usually, some fire bars! Haven't run into any police bars. Padlocks being sold in almost all of the home centers and hardware stores are Master Lock. Not too many American locks being sold here. every once in a while a 700, 1100 or 2000 series American pops up. Almost all self storage units have Hockeypuck locks. So, I guess if you see what you are getting into before you can't see it, you have a fighting chance. Door hardware is usually mounted between 32" and 41", (about the length of the halligan plus another forks on top)The squared shoulders on the halligan are great for controling your swing, (riding along the shaft)! Venture to the local locksmiths and see what types they are getting calls for! As for taking hinges, always start at the top to allow the smoke and superheated gases to rise away from you as you work your way down. And lastly maintain control of the door....if you can't see, at least you have some protection once you've breached the opening.