FORCIBLE ENTRY�TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

INDIANAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT COMPANY TRAINING

Logging This Training in NinthBrain

• Category – Company Training
• Course Code under Ladder Co: Forcible Entry (3100)
• Select Conventional Forcible Entry Through Doors (3105)
• Record as 2.5 hrs of Company Training

Topics for discussion

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• Try Before You Pry
• Entry Size-up
• Tools
• Techniques
• Advantages & Disadvantages

Once an individual has mastered

the skill of using the axe and Halligan Tool

(Irons), most doors, even those that are well

Secured, can be forced quickly.

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With the combination of the axe and Halligan, It is a simple matter of technique and leverage.

Before attempting to force any door, make sure the door isn’t open

Try Before you Pry!

Try Before You Pry

• Prior to forcing a door: The Forcible Entry Team should: TRY THE DOOR to determine “IS THE DOOR LOCKED?”

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• Too many times over-aggressive individuals have forced an unlocked door.

Entry Size-up

Entry Size-up

• TRY THE DOOR
• Is it locked?
• Type of Door and the Locking Devices
• Hollow or solid door
• Steel or wood
• Inward or outward swinging
• Hinges visible or on the other side?
• Type of lock and location on the door
• Prevailing Conditions
• Is this an imminent emergency or do we have time?
• Conditions determine tools to be used for entry.
• K-tool versus Irons

Entry Size-up

Entry Size-up

Entry Size-up

Entry Size-up

Finding locks and securing devices

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• “Sound” the door or check for resistance
• Strike the door at the top, center and bottom of door.
• This may give you and idea as to where the locking devices are secured.

Entry Size-up

Entry Size-up

Tools and Their Components

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Tools and Components

Halligan Bar

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Tools and Components

Halligan Bar

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• Also called a Halligan tool, Hallagan, or Hooligan tool
• It was designed by Hugh Halligan, First Deputy Commissioner of NYFD in 1948.
• The department did not initially purchase the tool because of a perceived conflict of interest in buying from a member of the department.

Chief Hugh Halligan

Tools and Components

Halligan Bar

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• The Halligan is a multipurpose tool for prying, twisting, punching, or striking.

Tools and Components

• It consists of a fork, adze (blade), tapered pick, and anvil.

Fork

Pick

Adze

Anvil end

Techniques for Use

Techniques for Use

• Either the adze or fork can be forced between the door and door jamb, pry the two apart, and break the door lock or its components.

Adze end

Fork end

Techniques for Use

Forcing an Outward Swinging Door

• Place the adze between the door and door frame.
• Strike the anvil to force the adze in place
• Pry the door open

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Techniques for Use

• Remember that using the adze offers the least amount of leverage.
• Less leverage = less power
• The adze is also weaker than the fork
• It may be better to use the adze to gain a “purchase” in a door rather than to open it.

Techniques for Use

Prying Using Forks

Techniques for Use

• Prying with the forks offer the largest amount of leverage from the tool.
• Because the fork is thicker than the adze, it is also harder to get it in between the frame and door.

Techniques for Use

• Gain a purchase and “gap” the door using the adze in between the door and frame.

Techniques for Use

• Set the fork of the tool in the gap of the door

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Techniques for Use

• Call for a second person to strike the adze on command from a kneeling position

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Techniques for Use

• The person controlling the tool should keep his eyes on the FORK end of the Halligan Tool where it is being driven into the Gap.

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Techniques for Use

• When the Halligan is nearly perpendicular to the door, drive in forcefully.
• The FORK end of the tool is driven past the inside of the frame.
• This will insure the tool being “locked” into position and not slipping when pressure is applied.

Techniques for Use

Outward swinging Door

• As soon as the tip of the fork is past the edge of the door, sharply push the tool away from the door.
• “Spring” the door away from the frame and maintain pressure on the tool to prevent the tips from striking the frame.

Techniques for Use

Inward Swinging Doors

• Push the Halligan tool sharply towards the door

Techniques for Use

Mechanical Advantage.

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• An axe can be used as a wedge to keep a purchase made with the adze.

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• An axe head can be used as a mechanical advantage for a lever by filling a gap.

Techniques for Use

TO MAINTAIN CONTROL

• Use short chopping blows.
• Perpendicular to the adze.
• In line with the shaft.
• Person striking should be on one knee.

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Techniques for Use

• The pick can be placed into the shackle (or eye) of a padlock or hasp and twisted or pried to break it free.
• The fork can be placed around the shackle and twisted

Removing a Lock

Techniques for Use

K-Tool

Thru-the-lock Tools

K-Tool

• This tool was developed for pulling a lock cylinder (Thru-the-Lock entry) on a door.

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• It is used with an axe and Halligan Tool to remove a lock cylinder.

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• Key tools open the bolt

Thru-the-lock Tools

Thru-the-lock Tools

Pulling the Cylinder

• Pulls all types (rim, mortise, tubular) of lock cylinders

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• It is lightweight and can be carried in a small pouch or in the pocket of a turnout coat.

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• Entry is performed the same way on a door that opens out as it is on a door that opens in.

Thru-the-lock Tools

There are two common types of locking devices that employ the use of cylinders.

• Rim lock--uses a rim cylinder
• Mortise lock--uses a mortise cylinder

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Rim cylinder

Mortise cylinder

Thru-the-lock Tools

Using the Key Tools

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Each cylinder has a specific part on the rear of the cylinder that (when the key is turned) moves in a circular fashion and opens the lock.

1. Rim cylinder--has a stem
2. Mortise cylinder--has a cam

Thru-the-lock Tools

Using the Key Tools

• Sliding the lock bolt into the open position.
• Mortise lock--5 0'clock 7 o'clock principle
• Rim lock--screw driver principle.

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Mortise Lock

5 o’clock to 7 o’clock

Press down and move from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock

Rim Lock or tubular lock

Advantages or Disadvantages of Entry Tools

Advantages & Disadvantages

Irons

• Fast and Efficient
• Destructive
• Will destroy door and locking mechanism
• Needs strength and energy
• Need practice to be efficient

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K-Tool

• Slow and methodical
• Saves the door
• Destructive only to lock
• Strength is not necessary
• Need an understanding of lock mechanisms

Other Tools Available

Hydra-Ram

$1,624.95

• one person hydraulic emergency entry tool.

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• 10,000 pounds of force is presented by 138 pounds of pumping to acquire 3/4" inch stroke to a maximum thrust opening of 4 inches.

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• The Hydra-Ram can be placed in any position, even upside down, without any effect on its operation

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• 13" and only 12 pounds

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• No hoses, tanks or pumps so there is no maintenance or leaking fluid.

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• Jaws are made of stainless steel with 220,000 psi tensile strength.

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• Kit includes Hydra-Ram tool, mallet, carrying sling and bag.

Hydra-Ram

Rabbit Tool

K-12 Saw

Between $1,500 - $2,500

Duckbill Lock Breaker

Bam-Bam Tool:

• This tool was primarily used in body

shops to pull dents out of automobiles.

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• It has proven quite successful in pulling lock cylinders from many padlocks.

Battering Ram

Questions?