ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE FORCIBLE ENTRY 11-1-17 PAGE 1 OF 7 Security Hardware 409.00 Revised 06-25-19

Padlocks are a very prevalent means of

providing basic security or bolstering security

with additional hardware.

They can range in price from a few dollars to

well over a hundred dollars. A very good lock

can be purchased for around $35, because they

are relatively inexpensive for the amount of

security they can provide they can be found in

any number of places including: outbuildings,

gates, utility vaults, transportation devices, etc.

They can also be the primary or secondary

means of securing roll-up doors, sliding doors,

scissor gates or man doors.

In order to make the padlock more secure, manufacturers construct the bodies and

shackles out of various materials up to and including boron. The lock mechanisms can

be doubled and/or made out of higher quality materials as well. In order to protect the

shackles from attempts at cutting, the body of the lock can include a shackle guard.

No matter how or how well a padlock is constructed they can be defeated in a number

of ways by the firefighter. Bolt cutters can be used, however, if the lock is made from

case hardened steel (or worse) the bolt cutters themselves may be damaged or

ineffective. The hasp or chain may be a better choice in this situation. When cutting

chain, cutting the link near the lock may make it possible to re-use the chain thus

preserving property. A Duckbill Lock Breaker or large pipe wrench are other options for

breaking the lock. Even through the lock methods may be employed.

However, when attempting to complete a forcible entry assignment these are not the tools usually carried by a savvy team of firefighters. The preferred tools to be carried are a set of irons, bolt cutters, duck bill AND a circular or "rescue" saw. With this combo there are few if any locks that cannot be defeated in a timely manner. "Irons" consist of a Halligan married to either a flat head axe or a sledge hammer/maul. The rescue saw is a rotary or circular saw with a metal cutting

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composite blade or a diamond-impregnated saw blade. First we’ll try our trusty “Irons”. With a little practice this operation can be done as a 1 person operation thus leaving our partner the “Sawyer” free to be working on another operation simultaneously to increase the efficiency of our team. Irons Method 1: Place the pike end of the Halligan through the shackle of the lock with the striking portion of the Halligan exposed either from the top or the side. One or two good strikes with your axe or maul on the striking surface, and the lock should fail. Irons Method 2: Place the fork end of the Halligan over the shackle of the lock so it straddles it. One or two good strikes with your axe or maul at the base of the fork end and the lock should fail. If these methods are unsuccessful due to the construction of the lock or if we are simply doing two operations simultaneously to maximize efficiency, we can utilize the Rescue Saw to cut through the shackles or the closest chain link to the padlock and/or hasp. Circular/Rotary Saw method: Using a set of vice grips and a rotary saw with an abrasive blade, capture the padlock at its base to ensure that it does not flap around wildly when the saw contacts the shackle. This can safely be done by securing a leash or piece of webbing to the vice

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grips and pulling it taut. Have another firefighter assist with this. However, when operating independently, you can secure the tension by stepping on the leash/webbing with one foot, and you will be able to perform this same maneuver solo. Make contact on the shackle of the lock at full throttle and complete your cut. If vice grips and webbing are not available, an alternate method is to have your partner capture the lock, or preferably the chain, with the Halligan keeping the Halligan clear of the cut zone and applying tension to the chain/lock.

Bolt Cutters: Most cutters will NOT be able to cut through case-hardened metal (severe damage to the blades will result). Bolt cutters will shear through components of the lock (softer metal shackle), hasp and other security features. By utilizing our skills as Firefighters and the proper tools (Saws, striking, cutting tools AND Irons) we can quickly, efficiently and safely defeat any number of Forcible Entry objectives. Hockey Puck Locks: With a hockey puck padlock (or hidden shackle, American 2000

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE FORCIBLE ENTRY 11-1-17 PAGE 4 OF 7 Security Hardware 409.00 Revised 06-25-19

or others), a rotary saw or cutting torch will be effective if the cut is made toward the top third (opposite side of keyway). A large pipe wrench (with approved breaker bar is necessary to provide additional leverage) can also be used to twist these locks off their mounting tabs. To prevent this, installers will use a metal shroud or strap (as shown) and place around the lock to eliminate the use of a pipe wrench. In this case, use the rotary saw or cutting torch to cut the lock apart. Security Screen Doors:

Security doors over (sometimes also

found on the interior of an exit door)

exterior doors are not solid to the

structure and must swing outward

(normally) to allow access through the

door opening. These “initial” entry

access consists of two basic parts: a

metal door jamb that is secured do the

doorway opening, and a metal door

frame (multiple door design, meshing,

horizontal and/or vertical supports and

locking systems) which is connected to

the jamb my hinges.

The lock assembly that is mounted in the door frame is usually found in three different

configurations: Key in the Knob, Tubular Deadbolt (with up to a 2” bolt), or a

combination of both. Typically the lock assembly will be covered by a metal plate that

covers the gap between the frame and jamb, protecting the access to the deadbolt

and/or latch.

Force Entry Methods:

Try before you pry

Use set of irons (fork or adz or Halligan) to widen the gap between the metal frame

and door,

Establish a gap between metal frame and door, use circular saw and cut the

deadbolt and latch through the metal protection plate,

Use circular saw and cut into both door and metal door jamb above and below the

locking assembly,

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE FORCIBLE ENTRY 11-1-17 PAGE 5 OF 7 Security Hardware 409.00 Revised 06-25-19

IF there is room between the metal screen door and the main door, cut the

meshing/screen next to the locking assembly large enough to access the deadbolt

and knob lock (be aware the deadbolt may require a key on both sides of the lock).

Use a circular saw to cut the hinges between the door and door frame

Fences:

Fences are typically be made of the following:

Wood, Plastic, Masonry, Chain-link wire fabric,

Ornamental metal. Some fences are topped

with barbed wire or razor ribbon. Personnel

must often decide whether it is most

advantageous to force entry through the fence

or the fence gate. Emphasis should be placed

on creating an adequate size opening in the

least amount of time and closet to the incident.

Size-up will determine the most efficient tools

and techniques for forcing entry. In rural areas

electrified type fences are used to contain

livestock and/or pets. De-energize these

fences before cutting & take insulation

precautions to avoid electric shock. Default to

finding other means of entry if needed

To cut the fence, use a circular saw and make

a vertical cut as close to a post. Start the cut

one foot (1’) below the top part of the fence to

keep the fence from falling onto the sawyer

while the cut is completed. While the cut is

being make, additional personnel should be

used to keep tension on the portion of the

fence being cut. This will keep the saw blade

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from binding and stabilizing the section being cut. Once completed, cut the remaining

top portion of the fence.

Caution: Any fencing material that is stretched tight can recoil when cut and

cause injury

If a larger opening is needed beyond the

distance between two posts, cut the inside

vertical cuts of the farthest posts and any posts

in-between, cut near the very bottom /closest to

the ground, (typically used to drive an

apparatus through).

Due to the fence design and material , two

ground ladders can also be secured together to

gain access. Care must be used of there is

additional security wire such as barbed or

razor.

Gates:

Gates are used for many access points for all different types of assemblies. Padlocks

or chains with multiple hinges typically secure fence gates. Other types of gates are

opened by a means of a mechanical chain driven motor or ride on a track with attached

wheels. Accordion or Scissor gates used in store fronts will ride in a folding track and

secured with a padlock or hockey puck

lock.

Force Entry Methods

Cases where there’s a padlock or

chain used as part of the locking

assembly, a circular saw, set of irons

and/or bolt cutters can be used as

stated in previous methods.

In gates where the hinges are clamped

to a post, the quickest method is to use

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a set of irons to drive the “pin” hinges out of the holders that are clamped to the posts.

Gates that ride on a track can be removed by bending the roller guard outward, allowing

the gate to be removed from the track.

Mechanical driven horizontal gates can be open via Knox key system or cutting (or

disabling) the drive chain, which is the shortest length of the chain, attached to the

fence.

With an accordion or scissor gate,

remove the locking assembly as

previously mentioned or use a circular

saw and make a vertical cut from top to

bottom as close to the locking frame,

then slide the gate open and secure.