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Attack the Door
Not all doors are created equal. Take a look at this door and decide how you would attack it’s integrity to force it open. There is a lot that the characteristics of a door can tell you about how it is hung and secured.
Although this seems like a very simple skill and knowledge that everyone should know, I am continually surprised by how many don’t really understand how to use forcible entry tools. I’m sure you have seen the guy just beating a door to death but not getting anywhere because he is attacking the door the wrong way.
Share your thoughts, experiences and techniques with all of us on how you would attack this door. If you have photos, post them or send them and we will post them for you.
Stay safe and train hard.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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Ram it with the Chief's car.
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Permalink Reply by John on
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Seeing that the door has what appears to be metal reinforcement tabs near the center where they meet and near the frame I would say take the K12 with the diamond blade and cut the rivets on all 4 of the metal tabs, That would drop the solid door bar that may be sitting on the other side. Next would bethe hinges.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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Well I assume that explosives is NOT an option....right...? Well then I guess I would have to go to option #2 and that would be a K-12 saw (demo saw) and take out the dead bolt....but I would rather go with option #1 LOL
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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If you are with the truck or rescue assigned to Division C on a commercial occupancy fire, another door might not be a viable option, particularly if the fire is near the rear and has occupants trapped between the fire and this door.
True, which in that case, you would already know that there were other options because other crews are already operating there. My first part of the post was about situational awareness and a good size up. Meaning if this was the first door you came across, it helps to check the building for other access points.......just to not keep repeating the same tactic over and over........but yes, if this was the assigned area to be and this was where you had to make access, then so be it...break out the saw.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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John, I'm not disagreeing with you on the need for size-up.
However, the fire between a victim and Side C is a big problem when the engines are attacking through a big box or large strip mall through Side A. Good size-up won't help you on the Side C assignment if that is the case.
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Faster to cut once between the doors...
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Permalink Reply by Pararescue on
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One I've used is a rabbit tool and a sledge hammer, force it between the brace holders and spread the door apart. Then you can easily take the forks of a Haligan bar in to move the 2X4 or whatever is in the holder and make entry. But take note, this door is going to come at you so have a way to control the door after you pop it. And a operational line in place. Remember, after you force the door, you still have a search, lay in a line or V.E.S. In this situation you really do need to work smart, not hard. You have a lot of work in front of you, don't let this take you outta the game for a new bottle or fatigue.
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Permalink Reply by Wade Seely on
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Some C4, ACME dynamite, a bazooka. I'm just channeling my inner wylie coyote here.
Honestly I would probably cut a small opening (similar to a what is cut when checking for extention) and maybe see what I am dealing with first.
TCSS
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Permalink Reply by Timothy Bullard on
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I don't see the locks, latches and panic bar hardware that my Brothers are sizing up. I see a pretty standard outward opening commercial back door that has a drop bar. A good bet is one or both of these doors have a bolt latch in the top or bottom(or both!) into the door frame. If you must access this door, notify your boss it'll be a minute. Attack the door in the middle with the k-12, maybe you will get lucky and get deep enough to defeat the drop bar. Seat the halligan into the cut and pry out, try both sides. Plan B may be to cut an access hole level with or above the drop bar, maybe the bar can be lifted out of the way if it cannot be reached with the blade. My faithful sidekick and loyal Lt. looking over my shoulder suggests checking the concrete outside the outward swinging door for drag marks indicating the most used-thus easiest-door to defeat. Hinges are a good attack, but will take as long or longer and doesn't defeat the drop bar. I suppose if this door was in your first due and you knew it was simple drop bar and nothing else, you could cut a triangle out of the middle, taking out the inner two brackets, this may make the rest easier. FTM-PTB
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A lot of newer movie theaters, break room doors at Wal Mart, etc. have this type of door construction with panic bars on the interior instead of a drop bar. Most fire codes require the panic hardware on the exits from commercial occupancies that may contain large numbers of people.
The pairs of reinforcing plates on each door, visible on the exterior, can serve as the panic bar mounts on the solid doors.
This one could have either. Cutting the center slot with a K-12/diamond blade will take care of it either way.
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Permalink Reply by Firechief2411 on
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Send for the SO entry tank. Or like the sign says come back at 0730
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Ha hA Ha Nice
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