Forcible Entry Tools and Their Safe Operation Firefighter I

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Firefighting Tools Commonly Used for Forcible Entry 3 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Cutting Tools Axes – Pick-head axe » 6- or 8-pound head » Very versatile tool » Often used in ventilation to open up roofs and create ventilation openings » The pick of the axe can also be used to break windows for ventilation – Flat-head axe » 6- or 8-pound head » Used to open up roofs and create ventilation openings » Not as versatile as a pick-head axe 4 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Metal Cutting Tools Bolt cutters – Used on bolts, chains, lock hasps, padlocks, and shackles – Do not use on case-hardened steel Rebar cutters – Hydraulic or manual – Can often cut metal items that bolt cutters cannot – Excellent for use on security bars 5 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Metal Cutting Tools (continued) Cutting torches – Effectively cut materials that other cutting tools cannot – Oxyacetylene Cutting Torch » Burns oxygen and acetylene » Flame temperature of 5,700 degrees F » Unstable gas » Must be kept in an upright position » Use is diminishing in fire service 6 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Metal Cutting Tools (continued) Burning bars – Also called exothermic cutting tools – Can cut through most metallic, semi-metallic, and composite materials – Produces temperatures in excess of 10,000 degrees F – Rods range from ¼ inch to 1 inch in diameter, and from 18 inches to 10 feet long 7 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Metal Cutting Tools (continued) Plasma cutters – Produce temperatures up to 25,000 degrees F – Require a power supply and compressed gas like air, nitrogen, or other inert gas or gas mixture Cutting flares – Cut metal or concrete – Exothermic – Approximately the size of highway flares – Produce temperatures up to 6,800 degrees F – No power supply is necessary – Portable 8 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Saws Handsaws – Carpenter’s handsaw (rip and crosscut) – Hacksaw – Drywall saw – Keyhole saw 9 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Saws (continued) Power saws – Chain saws » Commonly used during ventilation operations » When equipped with a carbide tip they can cut rapidly through many different types of roofing materials 10 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Saws (continued) Rotary saws – have many uses, but if the blade is changed to cut wood, they are effective in ventilation operations 11 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Saws (continued) Reciprocating saws – Powerful – Versatile – Easy to control – Short, straight blade that moves in and out – Use of different blades allows for many different materials to be cut 12 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Saws (continued) Circular saws – Originally designed for construction use – Can be used when power (electrical) is readily available – Small battery units are also available 13 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Pushing/pulling tools Pushing/pulling tools – have very limited use in forcible entry – Pike pole – used for pushing or pulling ceilings down in ventilation operations to provide a path for smoke, heat, and fire gases to exit the building through established ventilation openings 14 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Pushing/pulling tools (continued) – Roofman’s hook – used to sound roofs and can be used to pry roof shingles if necessary – Other pushing/pulling tools Clemens hook Plaster hook Drywall hook San Francisco hook Multipurpose hook Rubbish hook 15 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Prying Tools Manual prying tools – Crowbar – Halligan bar – part of a “set of irons” (when paired with a flat- head axe) – Pry bar – Hux bar – Claw tool – Kelly (through the lock) tool – Pry axe – Flat bar (nail puller) – Ram bar 16 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Prying Tools (continued) Hydraulic Prying Tools – Rescue tools Spreaders used for vehicle extrication can spread up to 32 inches Hydraulic ram bars have a spreading range from 36 to 63 inches Hydraulic door opener 17 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Tool Safety Cutting tools – Make sure you have the correct tool for the job – Wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) while doing the job. Gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection should all be used – Maintain situational awareness – Keep unauthorized people out of the work area 18 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Tool Safety (continued) Metal cutting tools – Firefighters should wear face shields and eye protection to protect their eyes and face – Make sure that they are operated according to the manufacturer’s specifications – Be aware of high temperatures ranging from 5,700 to 25,000 degrees F Cutting torches Burning bars Plasma cutters Cutting flares 19 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Tool Safety (continued) Handsaws – Be aware of sharp edges, and keep hands and extremities away from the blades Power saws – Operate tools in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and safety instructions – Be aware of sharp edges and blades, and keep hands and extremities away from the blades – Wear gloves and eye protection as well as hearing protection 20 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Tool Safety (continued) Pushing/pulling tools – When pushing or pulling ceilings with a pike pole, be aware of falling ceiling and roofing material – Don’t use prying tools as pulling tools or pulling tools as prying tools. Use the tools how they are intended – Maintain tool handles to avoid splinters and other damage 21 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Scene Safety/Life Safety Hazards Associated With Forcible Entry The first consideration is always the safety of both the lives of the firefighters and the building occupants – Understand the different types of security barriers and the hazards associated with each – Select the appropriate tool for the job – Wear the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 22 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Resources , Essentials of Firefighting (5 th Edition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). Photographs used with permission from IFSTA (Slides 6 – 8, 14, 15, 19, 20) 23 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.