This document discusses the principles and techniques of forcible entry for firefighters. It covers assessing entry points, types of locks and doors, and using various hand and power tools safely and properly to breach doors, windows, walls, floors and fences. Considerations for each material and situation are provided. The goal of forcible entry is to gain access while doing minimal damage to the structure. Cleaning, inspecting and maintaining all forcible entry tools is also emphasized.

1. Essentials of Fire Fighting
6th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 11 — Forcible Entry

2. Explain the basic principles of
forcible entry.
Learning Objective 1
11–2

3. Forcible entry has two outcomes
when performed properly.
11–3

4. Forcible entry can be applied to other
situations and always requires effective
size-up and situational awareness.
11–4
CourtesyofRichMahaney

5. The supervisor or IC must weigh
several factors to determine entry
point.
11–5

6. Firefighters should never force
entry without order to do so.
11–6

7. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What is meant by “Try before you pry”?
11–7

8. After trying normal entry, look for
lock boxes near the main entrance.
11–8

9. The general considerations for
forcible entry include three areas.
11–9

10. Security barriers require specialized
training, tools, and knowledge to
force.
11–10
CourtesyofLosAngelesFireDepartment-ISTS

11. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the basic principles of
forcible entry?
11–11

12. Describe the basic construction of
locksets.
Learning Objective 2
11–12

13. The term “lockset” describes all types
of door latches, locks, and locking
devices.
11–13

14. Door locks and latches can be found
on all exterior and many interior
doors.
11–14

15. Mortise locks are mounted into a
cavity in the door’s edge and the door
jamb.
11–15

16. Cylindrical locks are the most
common lockset and are installed by
boring two holes at right angles to
each other.
11–16

17. Cylindrical locks are divided
into two types.
11–17

18. The easiest way to breach modern
dead bolts in a wood residential door
is to force the door itself.
11–18
CourtesyofRichMahaney

19. Rim locks are mounted on the interior
door surface and are used to
supplement doors with or without locks.
11–19

20. High-security locks come in a
variety of forms and functions.
11–20

21. Other locking devices may supplement
a door lock or be used in place of a
lock.
11–21

22. Padlocks are portable or
detachable locking devices and are
divided into two types.
11–22

23. Other locking devices firefighters
may encounter include the
following.
11–23

24. REVIEW QUESTION
What types of locksets may
firefighters encounter during forcible
entry operations?
11–24

25. Describe considerations a firefighter
must take when using forcible entry
tools.
Learning Objective 3
11–25

26. CAUTION!
Always wear appropriate PPE when
using forcible entry tools.
11–26

27. Follow these general
considerations when using cutting
tools.
11–27

28. Axes are the most common type of
cutting tool in firefighting and have a
wide variety of uses.
11–28

29. Metal cutting devices are used to cut
through several types of obstacles in
a variety of ways.
11–29

30. Power saws can be powered in a
number of ways and must always be
used safely.
11–30

31. CAUTION!
• Wear eye, hearing, and hand
protection when operating any power
saw.
• Never force a power saw beyond its
design limits. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Do not use a power saw in a
flammable atmosphere.
11–31

32. Electrical or battery-powered circular
saws are used in fire fighting, rescue
and overhaul operations.
11–32

33. Rotary saws have interchangeable
blades that can produce sparks when
used on certain surfaces.
11–33

34. CAUTION!
Sparks from cutting operations can
cause additional fires. Have a charged
hoseline or portable fire extinguisher
close at hand during cutting.
11–34

35. WARNING!
Never use a rotary saw to cut the shell
of any storage tank that might contain
flammable vapors.
11–35

36. CAUTION!
The blade guards on some rotary saws
are not designed for use with carbide-
tipped blades. Be sure that the saw is
designed for the blades used.
11–36

37. Reciprocating saws and chain saws
both have advantages in specific
circumstances.
11–37

38. Prying tools help open doors,
windows, locks, and move heavy
objects by providing mechanical
advantage.
11–38

39. Manual prying tools are usually
constructed from a single-piece of high-
carbon steel 30-36 inches (762-900 mm).
11–39

40. Hydraulic prying tools come in different
forms; manual hydraulic tools have
specific benefits and drawbacks.
11–40
Manually powered

41. Rescue tools and hydraulic door
openers can be used effectively for
forcible entry.
11–41

42. Pushing/pulling tools have limited
uses for forcible entry, but can break
glass and open walls or ceilings.
11–42

43. Striking tools are basic hand tools with
a weighted head attached to a handle.
11–43

44. Forcible entry tools must be used in
combination because no single tool
can handle every situation.
11–44

45. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What is the most important factor to
consider before performing forcible
entry?
1–45

46. Keep in mind the following safety
guidelines when working with forcible
entry tools.
11–46
(Cont.)

47. Keep in mind the following safety
guidelines when working with forcible
entry tools.
11–47
(Cont.)

48. Keep in mind the following safety
guidelines when working with forcible
entry tools.
11–48

49. Use extreme care when operating
rotary, power, and chain saws to
prevent injury.
11–49
(Cont.)

50. Use extreme care when operating
rotary, power, and chain saws to
prevent injury.
11–50
(Cont.)

51. Use extreme care when operating
rotary, power, and chain saws to
prevent injury.
11–51

52. REVIEW QUESTION
What are some basic tool safety tips
firefighters should follow during
forcible entry operations?
11–52

53. Protect yourself and others when
carrying tools, and get help
transporting heavy tools.
11–53

54. Indicate steps needed to care for
and maintain forcible entry tools.
Learning Objective 4
11–54

55. Forcible entry tools must be
maintained properly so they function
safely and effectively.
11–55

56. Refer to manufacturer’s guidelines and
department procedures to report
damaged tools and remove them from
service.
11–56

57. REVIEW QUESTION
Who cares for and performs
maintenance on forcible entry tools?
11–57

58. Explain the ways to force entry
through various types of doors.
Learning Objective 5
11–58

59. Identify considerations that need to
be taken when forcing entry through
locks, padlocks, overhead doors,
and fire doors.
Learning Objective 6
11–59

60. Begin forced entry through a door
only after size up and with minimum
damage.
11–60

61. Breaking door glass is often the
best option when forcing entry.
11–61

62. Look for the placement of the
hinges when forcing swing doors.
11–62
Direction
of Entry
Hinge on inside
Hinge on outside
Inward-swinging Outward-swinging

63. Double-swinging doors and doors
with drop bars present unique
challenges during forcible entry.
11–63

64. Forcing entry through a tempered
plate glass door has many
drawbacks, but may be used as a last
resort.
11–64
Glass should be
shielded when
broken

65. Determine the method for forcing
sliding doors or security doors/gates
by identifying the type.
11–65

66. Through-the-lock entry requires good
size-up of the door and lock, and can
be accomplished with several tools.
11–66

67. Forcing padlocks can be accomplished
using several methods and tools.
11–67

68. Use a rotary saw to force entry on
an overhead door.
11–68

69. WARNING!
All overhead doors should be blocked in
the up or open position to prevent injury
to firefighters if the built-in control
device fails.
11–69

70. Fire doors are usually found inside
the structure and should be blocked
open after forcible entry as a
precaution.
11–70
Closed doors
can cut off
hoselines

71. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Where are fire doors generally
encountered in a structure?
1–71

72. REVIEW QUESTION
How do the considerations that must
be taken when forcing entry through
swinging and sliding doors
compare?
11–72

73. Describe forcible entry methods
used for windows.
Learning Objective 7
11–73

74. Explain considerations firefighters
must take when forcing entry through
miscellaneous types of windows and
covers
Learning Objective 8
11–74

75. Forcible entry through windows can be
easy, but may create further hazards.
11–75

76. Breaking window glass is a
common entry method, but several
factors must be considered.
11–76

77. Forcing entry by breaking fixed
windows should be done only as a
last resort.
11–77

78. Double-hung windows have two
sashes and a locking mechanism on
the inside.
11–78

79. Forcing entry on other types of
windows depends on their design.
11–79
(Cont.)

80. REVIEW QUESTION
How does the process for forcing
entry through fixed windows compare to
forcing entry through awning
windows?
11–80

81. Forcing entry on other types of
windows depends on their design.
11–81
(Cont.)

82. Forcing entry on other types of
windows depends on their design.
11–82
(Cont.)
CourtesyofFloridaStateFireCollege

83. Forcing entry on other types of
windows depends on their design.
11–83
(Cont.)
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Windows

84. Forcing entry on other types of
windows depends on their design.
11–84

85. REVIEW QUESTION
What dangers may be present when
forcing entry through miscellaneous
types of windows and covers?
11–85

86. Describe forcible entry methods for
breaching walls.
Learning Objective 9
11–86

87. Breaching walls requires meeting
certain criteria before attempting.
11–87

88. Breaching exterior walls poses
hazards such as structural collapse
and concealed utilities.
11–88

89. DISCUSSION QUESTION
When should a concrete wall be
breached?
1–89

90. Interior walls also conceal utilities
and can be either load-bearing or
non-load-bearing.
11–90

91. REVIEW QUESTION
How do forcible entry operations for
exterior walls compare to those for
interior walls?
11–91

92. Explain forcible entry methods for
breaching floors.
Learning Objective 10
11–92

93. Breaching floors may be done for
several reasons and methods vary by
how a floor is constructed.
11–93

94. A variety of cutting tools are
used to breach wooden floors.
11–94

95. Breaching concrete floors presents
more difficulties and requires
different cutting tools.
11–95
Using jackhammers
or “stitch drilling” can
open floors rapidly

96. REVIEW QUESTION
What does the feasibility of opening
a floor during a fire fighting
operation depend on?
11–96

97. Indicate methods for forcing fences
and gates.
Learning Objective 11
11–97

98. A wide variety of fencing materials can
pose a number of hazards when
forcing.
11–98

99. Wire and other types of fences can
be forced with cutting tools.
11–99

100. CAUTION
• Wire will recoil in the direction of the
next post on the fence when it is cut.
• Cutting electrified fences before
deenergizing the fence may result in
electric shock.
11–100

101. Going over some types of fences may
be easier than going through them.
11–101

102. Security gates may have lock boxes,
electronic locks, padlocks, or they
may be monitored by staff.
11–102

103. REVIEW QUESTION
What techniques can be used to
force entry through fences or gates?
11–103

104. • When normal means of entry is locked
or blocked, forcible entry techniques
are used to gain access into a structure
or area.
• Forcible entry efforts can do minimal
damage to a structure or structural
components and provide quick access.
Summary
11–104
(Cont.)

105. • Tools and techniques are used to
breach walls and floors to advance
hoselines, apply extinguishing agents,
access trapped victims, or ventilate an
area.
Summary
11–105

106. Clean, inspect, and maintain hand
tools and equipment.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-1.
Learning Objective 12
11–106

107. Clean, inspect, and maintain power
tools and equipment.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-2.
Learning Objective 13
11–107

108. Force entry through an inward-
swinging door – Two-firefighter
method.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-3.
Learning Objective 14
11–108

109. Force entry through an inward-
swinging door – Cutting the lock out of
the door method.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-4.
Learning Objective 15
11–109

110. Force entry through an outward-
swinging door – Removing hinge-pins
method.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-5.
Learning Objective 16
11–110

111. Force entry though an outward-
swinging door – Wedge-end method.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-6.
Learning Objective 17
11–111

112. Force entry using the through-the-lock
method.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-7.
Learning Objective 18
11–112

113. Force entry using the through-the-lock
method using the K-tool.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-8.
Learning Objective 19
11–113

114. Force entry using the through-the-lock
method using the A-tool.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-9.
Learning Objective 20
11–114

115. Force entry through padlocks.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-10.
Learning Objective 21
11–115

116. Use a bam-bam tool.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-11.
Learning Objective 22
11–116

117. Cut a padlock with a rotary saw.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-12.
Learning Objective 23
11–117

118. Force entry through a window (glass
pane).
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-13.
Learning Objective 24
11–118

119. Force entry through a double-hung
window.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-14.
Learning Objective 25
11–119

120. Force a Lexan®
window using a rotary
saw.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-15.
Learning Objective 26
11–120

121. Force entry through a wood-framed
wall (Type V construction) with hand
tools.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-16.
Learning Objective 27
11–121

122. Force entry through a wood wall (Type
V construction) with a rotary saw or
chain saw.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-17.
Learning Objective 28
11–122

123. Breach a wall using a battering ram.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-18.
Learning Objective 29
11–123

124. Force entry through a masonry wall
with hand tools.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-19.
Learning Objective 30
11–124

125. Force entry through a metal wall with
power tools.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-20.
Learning Objective 31
11–125

126. Breach a hardwood floor.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-21.
Learning Objective 32
11–126

127. Bridge a fence with a ladder.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 11-I-22.
Learning Objective 33
11–127