Learn firefighter door entry techniques, from Halligan tools to power tools, for safe, fast access through inward and outward-opening doors during emergencies.

Firefighters often face the challenge of opening locked doors during emergencies. When a door is locked and people are trapped inside a building due to a fire or other emergency, it’s crucial for firefighters to know how to quickly and effectively open the door. Here are some methods firefighters can use to open locked doors:

Understanding Door Locks and Their Structure

Before performing a rescue operation, it’s essential to understand the basic components and structure of door locks.

Lever Handle
A type of door handle that you push up or down to open the door. Another common type is the knob handle.

Latch Bolt
A component that prevents the door from opening unintentionally. It moves when you operate the lever or knob handle. The tip is triangular and fits into a recess in the door frame to keep the door closed.

Deadbolt
A critical part for enhancing door security. When you insert and turn a key, the deadbolt extends from the side of the door into a hole in the door frame, securing the door. The deadbolt is the primary focus when trying to open a locked door.

Understanding the structure and function of these components is key to efficiently and quickly responding in an emergency. Knowledge of these basic door lock mechanisms is essential for safe and effective operations.

Breaking or Cutting the Deadbolt

When opening a locked door, priority should be given to breaking or cutting the deadbolt.

Halligan Tool
The Halligan tool is versatile and highly effective for opening doors.

• Fork
  The fork end can be used as a wedge, fork lever, or punch tool. The two-pronged end can twist and break padlock hinges. It can also pry wood pieces or be pushed between the door and frame to open or ventilate.
• Flat End
  This flat part is used with a hammer to open doors. The most common use is breaking windows, not just as a destructive act but using proper technique to clear the glass efficiently.
• Awl (Pick)
  The pointed part of the Halligan tool, used for making holes or widening small gaps by piercing.

How to Use

Insert the fork or flat end of the Halligan tool into the gap between the door and frame. Use a hammer or axe to drive it deeper. Then, use leverage to deform the deadbolt and door frame to open the door.

Understanding these techniques and tools allows firefighters to perform their duties effectively and ensure the safety of those in need of rescue.

Manual for Forced Opening of Inward-Opening Doors

In Japan, most entrance doors open outward, referred to as “outward-opening” doors. In contrast, in most Western countries, doors open inward, known as “inward-opening” doors.

The primary reason for inward-opening doors in Western countries is for security. In case of an intruder attempting to force entry, an inward-opening door allows the resident to use their full body weight to push and keep the door closed.

When forced entry through an inward-opening door is necessary, it is important to follow a safe and efficient procedure. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Check the Lock

Before attempting to force the door open, verify whether the door is actually locked. Sometimes the door may just be stuck. Try manipulating the doorknob or lever to see if the door will open without forcing it.

2. Contact Site Manager or Security

If possible, contact the site manager or security personnel to request the door to be unlocked. If there is a Knox Box (a secure box with building keys accessible to emergency responders), use the key from there to open the door.

3. Remove the Door Stop from the Door Frame

For wooden doors or wooden frames, you can remove the door stop (the part that the door touches when closed) from the door frame. Use a folding knife or similar tool to manipulate the latch or bolt. This method allows the door to be unlocked without damaging the door or frame.

4. Through-the-Lock Method

This technique involves removing the lock cylinder or using special tools to manipulate the cylinder and unlock the door. Here’s how to do it:

• Prepare the necessary tools (lock pick set or cylinder extraction tools).
• Insert the tool into the keyhole and either turn the cylinder or remove it to release the latch mechanism and open the door.

Forced Opening Methods

1. Using a Halligan Tool

Single Tool Approach

• Use the Halligan tool alone to leverage and apply force directly to the lock mechanism or door itself to open it. Insert the tool into the door gap and pry it open.

Two Tools Approach

• Combine the Halligan tool with an axe or similar striking tool. Use the Halligan tool to widen the gap or access the lock, and strike with the axe to facilitate entry.

2. Using Power Tools

Rescue Saw or Reciprocating Saw

• Use these tools to cut through the lock mechanism between the door and door frame. You can also cut a V-shaped section around the doorknob (pie-cut) to remove the knob and lock.

Central Door Cut

• For extremely sturdy doors, cut the door down the middle to split it and gain entry.

Removing the Door Stop

For wooden doors, removing the door stop with minimal damage is effective. Use the Halligan tool as follows:

1. Insert the flat end or fork of the Halligan tool under or on the side of the door stop and leverage it out.
2. Use a knife or slim tool to manipulate the latch or lock from the keeper (where the latch sits) in the door frame.
3. Once the latch or lock is released, the door can be opened.

Traditional Forced Entry Techniques

• Use an axe and Halligan bar (iron set) to quickly force open most doors. This method relies on basic leverage principles to break the door while maintaining its integrity as much as possible.

Door Striking and Kicking

Striking the Door

• Strike the door at the edges, particularly near the lock side. This area is usually the strongest part of the door. Avoid striking the panels to prevent damage and avoid creating holes that could allow heat, smoke, or fire to escape.

Kicking the Door

• As a last resort, kick the door using a heel kick (“mule kick”) near the lock to break it open. This is only suitable for wooden doors and frames.

Using Power Tools for Forced Entry

Rescue Saw

• Use a rescue saw to cut through locks or latch mechanisms. A V-shaped cut around the lock can also be effective.

Full-Length Cut

• As a final measure, cut the door vertically down the center with a rescue saw. This method is used when other techniques fail.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Halligan Bar Stuck: Adjust the angle or change the position.
• Door Bends but Doesn’t Open: Use an axe to maintain the gap and force the door open.
• Sturdy Lock Resists Opening: Directly attack the lock with the Halligan bar or axe to break it.

These solutions address common issues encountered during forced entry operations. Select the appropriate method based on the situation and proceed safely.

Door Forcible Entry Manual for Outward-Opening Doors

Here are two main methods for forcibly opening an outward-opening door:

Forcible Entry Using a Halligan Tool (Two Tool Approach):

1.Insertion:

• Insert the forked end of the Halligan tool into the gap near the lock or hinge. The fork should face the lock or hinge side.
• Use leverage to create a gap between the door and the frame by pushing the Halligan tool.

2.Setting:

• Use an axe or hammer to drive the fork deeper into the gap until it’s secure.
• Move the tool back and forth to ensure the fork is well set and doesn’t slip out.

3.Forcing Open:

• Apply force by pushing the Halligan tool towards the wall to pull the door away from the frame.
• Ensure you have enough space to use the tool effectively for leverage.

Forcible Entry Using Power Tools:

1.Rescue Saw or Reciprocating Saw:

• Use these tools to cut through the lock or hinge area.
• A “pie cut” technique can be used to cut around the door knob or hinges, disabling the door components and making it easier to open.

2.Cutting the Door:

• If the door is very strong, cutting it in the middle and then forcing it open may be necessary.

Using the Fork End of a Halligan Tool:

1.Insertion:

• Insert the forked end at an angle above or below the lock or hinge, moving it back and forth to create a gap.

2.Setting:

• Drive the fork into the gap using an axe or hammer until the “V” of the fork is no longer visible.

3.Forcing Open:

• Apply leverage by pushing the Halligan tool towards the wall to open the door.

Using the Flat End of a Halligan Tool:

1.Insertion:

• Insert the flat end of the Halligan tool between the door and the frame. Use a hammer or axe to create a gap if needed.

2.Setting:

• Use an axe or hammer to drive the flat end further into the gap.

3.Forcing Open:

• Apply leverage by pushing the tool towards the wall to create a larger gap and open the door.

Forcing Open from the Hinge Side:

1.Removing the Hinge Pins:

• Use a screwdriver and hammer to knock out exposed hinge pins.
• If the hinge is sealed, remove the cap nut with pliers or expose the pin by prying off the snap-on cap.

2.Forcing Open with the Halligan Tool:

• Place the flat or forked end of the Halligan tool under the hinge and apply force to break or loosen the hinge screws.

Using Power Tools on Hinges:

1.Cutting the Hinge:

• If the hinge is too strong, use a rescue saw to cut through the hinge or create a V-cut around it.

2.Barrel Hinges:

• For strong commercial barrel hinges, use a rescue saw to cut around or through the hinge.

These methods should be performed by trained professionals, such as firefighters, who have the appropriate tools and skills to safely and effectively force entry into buildings.

Through-the-Lock Entry

“Through-the-lock entry” is a method of opening a door by manipulating or attacking the lock mechanism directly, without causing significant damage to the door or its frame. This technique is especially useful in emergencies where quick access to a building is necessary while minimizing damage. Below is an overview of this method:

Situation Assessment

1.Type of Residence, Door Type, and Lock Cylinder Position:

• Determine what type of building the door is installed in, what type of door it is (wooden, metal, etc.), and where the lock cylinder is located.

2.Door Opening Direction (Inward or Outward):

• Identify whether the door opens inward or outward. This helps in deciding the method of accessing the lock.

3.Visible Items on the Door (Other than Locks) and Any Abnormalities:

• Check the door for any unusual features or abnormalities, such as a misaligned lock cylinder.

Attacking the Locking Device

1.Using K-Tool or Striking Tools:

• Use tools like a K-tool or striking tools to expose the lock cylinder. This makes it easier to access the locking mechanism.

2.Manipulating with Key Tools or Screwdrivers:

• Once the lock cylinder is exposed, use key tools or screwdrivers to manipulate and unlock the lock, thereby opening the door.

Notes

1.Using Axes, Halligan Bars, Sledgehammers:

• These tools can be used to knock out the knob, allowing the lock to be easily removed. However, cheap locks may break easily, making it difficult to extract the cylinder, necessitating an alternative method.

2.Through-the-Lock Entry:

• This method is effective in minimizing damage during emergencies, but requires proper assessment and the correct use of tools. It may not be applicable in all situations or for all types of locks. It’s important to accurately understand the on-site conditions and choose the most effective access method.

Methods for Different Types of Locks

Key & Knob Locksets

• Method:

1. Use an axe or sledgehammer to strike the knob, and insert a flathead screwdriver into the crescent-shaped hole.
2. Turn the screwdriver to unlock the lock.
3. Alternatively, use the fork of a Halligan bar to pry open the knob from the door.

Deadbolts

• Identification:
• The cylinder protrudes significantly on the outside of the door.
• Method:

1. Pry the deadbolt towards the inside of the door to remove it.
2. Use the flat end of a Halligan bar, striking the lock with a sledgehammer or axe, and then remove it.
3. After removal, turn the bolt with a flathead screwdriver to unlock.

Mortise and Rim Locks

• Identification:
• The cylinder protrudes about 1 to 2 cm from the door.
• Method:

1. Use a K-tool to pull the lock from the metal backing plate efficiently.
2. If a K-tool is not available, use the pick end of a Halligan bar to penetrate the door and manipulate the lock from the inside.
3. Once extracted, use a key tool or screwdriver to operate the latch and unlock.

Padlocks

Structure

• Shackle: The U-shaped or looped part used to lock items.
• Body: The central part where the shackle is attached and the lock mechanism is housed.
• Lock Mechanism: Operated by a key or combination to control the release or fastening of the shackle.

Methods

1.Rescue Saw:

• Equipped with a metal-cutting blade, it is used for removing locks, hardware, and attachments quickly and more safely than striking tools. Expose both sides of the shackle and cut them simultaneously if possible.

2.Bolt Cutters:

• Suitable for cutting padlocks, light chains, cables, and hardware. Be cautious of damaging the blades on sturdy padlocks. Open the handles fully, brace one handle against a surface, and use both hands to cut the hardware. If possible, cut the chain link closest to the lock to preserve the padlock for future security.

3.Halligan Bar and Axe:

• Effective on both light and heavy-duty padlocks. Hardened locks may be resistant to bolt cutters but weak in tensile strength. Use the fork of a Halligan bar to twist the shackle or drive the pick end through the shackle with an axe.

U-Lock Release Method

1. Using a Pull String:

• Tie a pull string to the U-lock.
• Pass the string over the door and pull in the opposite direction of the U-lock to unlock without damaging it.

Reference page: Methods for Opening Shutters at Fire Scenes: Key cutting techniques and essential safety precautions.

References　National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

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