Chapter 9

Homework
Forcible Entry
Section A: Key Term
Directions: Type the definition of the terms below on the yellow box provided.
1. Forcible Entry
Techniques used by fire personnel to gain entry into buildings, vehicles, aircraft, or other areas of
confinement when normal means of entry are locked or blocked
2. Adz
A wedge-shaped blade attached at right angles to the handle of the tool
3. Fulcrum
Support or point of support on which a lever turns in raising or moving a load
4. Halligan Tool
Prying tool with a claw at one end and a spike or point at the right angle to a wedge at the other
end
5. Hux Bar
Multi-purpose forcible entry tool that can also be used to open a hydrant
6. Lever
Device consisting of a bar pivoting on a fixed Point (fulcrum), using power or force applied at the
second point to lift or sustain an object at a third point
7. Pike Pole
Sharp prong and hook of steel, on a wood, metal, fiberglass, or plastic handle of varying lengths,
used for pulling, dragging, and probing
8. Battering Ram
Solid steel bar with handles and It is blunt on one for both ends and is used to break down doors
or create holes in walls. The tool weighs 30 to 40 pounds (15 to 20 kg) and can be operated by one

or more firefighters
9. Mortise Latch and Lock
Lock assembly mounted in a cavity in a door’s edge.
10. Cylindrical Lock
Lock having the lock cylinder contained in the knob
11. Rim Lock
Type of auxiliary lock such as a deadbolt mounted on the interior surface of a door
12. Rabbit Tool
Hydraulic spreading tool that is specially designed to open doors that swing inward
13. Tempered Plate Glass
Type of glass specifically treated to become harder and more break-resistant than plate glass or a
single sheet of laminated glass.
14. K-Tool
V-blade tool that is designed to pull lock cylinders from a door with only minimal damage to the
door itself
15. A-Tool
Prying tool with a sharp notch resembling the letter A. The notch has cutting edges machined into
it
16. J-Tool
Device made of rigid, heavy gauge wire designed to fit through the space between

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double-swinging doors equipped with panic hardware
17. Breaching
The act of creating a hole in a wall or floor to gain access to a structure or portion of a structure

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Forcible Entry
Section B: True/False
Directions: Type True or False on the blanks provided; if False, write the correct
statement on the lines provided.
1. If normal means of egress is available, forcible entry should still be used. (p. 371)
False: Do not use forcible entry when normal means of access are available.
2. When using any forcible entry tools, firefighters should always wear appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE), especially hand, eye, and hearing protection. (p. 373)
True
3. Bolt cutters are effective in cutting modern high-security chains, hasps, and padlock shackles. (p.
375)
False: Manual bolt cutters are less effective than they once were because they cannot cut
modern high-security chains.
4. It is safe to use a cutting torch when working near a flammable or explosive environment. (p. 375)
False: Do not use cutting torches in or near a flammable or explosive environment.
5. The longer the handle of a forcible entry tool is, the less the force is produced at the working end.
(p. 378)
False: The longer the handle is, the greater the force produced at the working end.
6. A Rabbit Tool would be an appropriate to use to open inward-swinging doors. (p. 397)
True
7. All prying tools can also be used as striking tools. (p. 379)
False: Some prying tools can also be used effectively a striking tools, although most cannot.
8. The handles of pike poles and hooks are made of wood or fiberglass and may break if used as a
lever. (p. 380)
True
9. There will be a sudden release of energy when a door, window, or wall is opened. (p. 383)
True
10. Using the force of a cheater bar can cause serious injury to a firefighter and/or damage the tool. (p.
384)
True
11. There is a greater chance of injury when using a dull saw blade than a sharp one. (p. 384)
True
12. A pike pole should be carried ahead of the body when outside a structure. (p. 385)
True

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13. An axe head’s performance is directly affected by how well it has been maintained. (p. 386)
True
14. Applying an metal protectant that contains 1-1-1-trichloroethane can make the handle of a tool
stronger. (p. 387)
False: Avoid using any metal protectant that contains 1-1-1-trichloroethane. This chemical may
damage and weaken the handle.
15. When forcing entry through a door, determine the severity of the emergency and the speed needed
for entry. (p. 387)
True
16. Breaking glass will not have the same effect on the flow pathway as opening the door. (p. 396)
False: Breaking the glass will have the same effect on the flow path as opening the door;
however, the glass cannot be “unbroken.”
17. When breaking tempered glass, use a salvage cover against the glass and strike through the cover to
shatter the glass. (p. 398)
True
18. A prying tool that has sharp notch with cutting edges machined to it is called an A-Tool. (p. 401)
True

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Section C: Fill in the Blank
Direction: Type the correct answer on the blanks provided.
1. In order to gain entry into a structure, firefighters must use the correct locationand the proper
technique. (p. 371)
2. Forcible entry refers to the techniques used to gain access into a compartment, structure, facility,
or site when the normal means of entry is locked or blocked. (p. 371)
3. A Pick-head axe is a versatile forcible entry tool that can be used for cutting, prying, and digging. (p.
374)
4. The striking face of a(an) flat-head axe can be used to strike another tool, forcing the bit end into a
doorjamb or windowsill. (p. 374)
5. Bolt cutters designed to cut an energized cable must be insulated. (p. 375)
6. The pressure from a hydraulic door opener usually causes the locking mechanisms or door to fail.
(p. 380)
7. Preincident surveys will help determine which tools will be required to force entry into a particular
building or through a particular door, window, or wall in that building. (p. 383)
8. Hydrocarbons from gasoline fumes can cause saw blades to deteriorate and violently shatter during
use. (p. 384)
9. Soaking a wooden handle in water will cause the wood to swell (p. 386)
10. Use a(an) emery cloth or steel wool to remove dirt and rust from an unprotected metal surface. (p.
387)
11. Rapid-entry systems can provide a way to open loced doors without forcing entry. (p. 388)
12. When forcing entry through a door, the structure’s ventilation profile will change and that could
have a negative effect on fire behavior. (p. 388)
13. Heavy-duty padlocks have case-hardened steel shackles more than ¼ inch in diameter. (p. 394)
14. The location of the hinges on a swinging door determines which direction the door will swing. (p.
396)
15. If a swinging door is metal or metal clad in a frame, a hydraulic door opener, often called a rabbit
tool may be needed to open the door. (p. 397)
16. Tempered glass resists heat and can shatter in thousands of tiny pieces. (p. 398)
17. When a hole is created in a wall, it is known as breaching. (p. 408)

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Section D: Picture Identification
Directions: Type the correct answers in yellow box provides
Part I: Forcible Entry Tools. Identify the striking tools in the image below. (p. 382)

1. Sledgehammer 6. Mallet

2. Maul 7. Hammer

3. Battering Ram 8. Punch

4. Flat Head Axe 9. Chisel

5. Pick

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Part II: Locking Devices. Identify the locking devices in the image below. (p. 395)

1. Drop Bar 4. Surface Bolt

2. Door Limiter 5. Internal-mounted Bolt

3. Door Chain

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Section E: Matching
Part I: Forcible Entry Tools
Match the tools with each description. Answers may be used more than once. (p. 373)
Cutting 1. A torch is considered to be what type of tool?
Cutting 2. The pick-head axe and the flat-head axe are what type of tools?
Prying 3. A Hux bar is an example of what tool?
Prying 4. Which tools use the principle of the lever and fulcrum.
Striking 5. Which type of tool would be used to make openings in walls in brick and
concrete?
Prying 6. What tools receive their power from hydraulic fluid pumped through special
high-pressure hoses?
Prying 7. Hydraulic rams have spreading capabilities which is considered what type of
tool?
Pushing/Pulling 8. A Roofman’s hook is considered to be which type of tool?
Striking 9. Which tools have a weighted head attached to a handle?

Part II: Forcing Windows (p. 406)

Match the ladder marking or label with the appropriate description
Apparatus’ 1. Stenciled on the beam as required by the AHJ.
designation or a
locally assigned
inventory number
Manufacturer’s 2. Includes month and year of maintenance.
name plate
stripe 3. Indicates the balance point.
Designated ladder 4. Must be marked on the beam within 12 inches of the butt plate.
length
white tip or 5. Makes the top of the ladder visible in dark or smoky conditions.
reflective tape
attached to tip

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Section F: Multiple Choice

Directions: Type the correct answer in the yellow box provided.
1. The location of an opening that adds fresh air to a ventilation-controlled fire can:
☐ A. decrease heat
☐ B. decrease oxygen
⌧ C. drastically affect fire behavior
☐ D. have no effect on fire behavior
2. For safety reasons, what should be available when using a rotary saw? (p. 377)
☐ A. Fuel
☐ B. Spare blade
⌧ C. Charged hoseline
☐ D. Replacement spark plug
3. What type of tool would be ideal for cutting structural components on vehicles? (p. 378)
☐ A. Chain saw
☐ B. Flat-head axe
☐ C. Plasma cutters
⌧ D. Reciprocating saw
4. What two common tools, known as “the irons” are used in combination for forcible entry? (p. 383)
☐ A. Hyx bar and Halligan tool
☐ B. Rambar and Hydraulic opener
⌧ C. Flat-head axe and Halligan tool
☐ D. Flat-head axe and Hydraulic opener
5. What substances should be applied to a wooden handle to preserve it and prevent roughness and
warping? (p. 386)
☐ A. Resin
☐ B. Olive oil
⌧ C. Linseed oil
☐ D. Soapy water
6. The BEST method for caring for cutting edges on axes is to: (p. 386)
☐ A. grind them until sharp
☐ B. use a mechanized sharpener
☐ C. use an electric knife sharpener
⌧ D. filing the cutting edges by hand
7. Some of the easiest locks to pry open are:
☐ A. rim locks
⌧ B. key-in-knob locks
☐ C. tubular deadbolt locks
☐ D. mortise latch and locks

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8. Which type of lock is MOST likely to be found in areas that require continuous security and
controlled access?
☐ A. Vertical deadbolt
☐ B. Multiple bolt lock
☐ C. Mortise and latch lock
⌧ D. Electronic keyless lock
9. Which of the following is a dead bolt lock that engages and projects bolts 1 inch into two or more
points on one edge of the door?
⌧ A. Multiple bolt lock
☐ B. Single cylinder lock
☐ C. Mortise latch or lock
☐ D. Double cylinder lock
10. If a termpered glass window must be broken, use the pick end of a pick-head axe and strike the
glass:
☐ A. in the dead center
⌧ B. at a bottom corner
☐ C. in the top left corner
☐ D. in the top right corner
11. Which of the following is a type of sliding door?
☐ A. Hidden door
☐ B. Automatic door
☐ C. High-security door
⌧ D. Interior pocket door
12. Which type of tool was designed to fit through a space between double-swinging doors equipped
with panic hardwire?
⌧ A. J-tool
☐ B. A-tool
☐ C. Keyhole saw
☐ D. Shove knife tool
13. Which tool was developed to force entry on locks manufactured with collars or protective cone-
shaped covers over them?
⌧ A. A-tool
☐ B. J-tool
☐ C. K-tool
☐ D. Shove Knife
14. Which tool is wedge-shaped and will widen and break the shackles of a padlock?
☐ A. Hammerhead pick
☐ B. Locking pliers and chain
⌧ C. Duck-billed lock breaker
☐ D. Hockery puck lock breaker

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15. Which power tool would be appropriate to quickly breach a brick or concrete block wall?
☐ A. Air chisel
☐ B. Sledge-hammer
⌧ C. Rotary saw with masonry blades
☐ D. Chain saw equipped with a diamond-tipped chain
16. The opening when forcing a metal wall should be at least _____ tall.
☐ A. 2 feet
☐ B. 4 feet
⌧ C. 6 feet
☐ D. 8 feet
17. Which type of tool would be used to breach a gypsum wall reinforced with Lexan?
☐ A. Axe
☐ B. Handsaw
⌧ C. Power saw
☐ D. Shave knife

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Section G: Short Answer

Directions: Write the correct answers in the space provided
1. What factors does the Incident Commander (IC) or supervisor use to determine where to force
entry?
Tactics that must be fulfilled
stage of the fire
effort required to force entry
location of the fire or hazard
effect on ventilation

2. What are four precautions that a firefighter can take to prevent injuries when using forcible entry
tools?
Wear appropriate ppe; additional ppe may be required depending upon the incident
Use only undamaged tools
Select the right tool for the type of opening to be made
Position yourself so that your weight is balanced on both feet
Ensure that you have room to operate the tool properly
Be aware that there will be a sudden release of energy when the door, window, or wall is opened
Ensure that other personnel are out of the immediate area
Be aware of the environment to prevent possible gas or vapor ignitions

3. Describe the safest manner in which to carry the following tools: (p. 385)
Axes - If not in a scabbard, carry the axe with the blade away from the body. With pick-head axes,
graph the pick with a hand to cover it. Never carry an axe on the shoulder.
Prying tools - Carry these tools with any pointed or sharp edges away from the body. This can be
difficult when carrying tools with multiple cutting or prying surfaces such as a bit on one end and an
adz on the other.
Combination of tools - Strap tool combinations together. Halligan tools and flat-head axes can be
nested together and strapped
Pike poles and hooks - Carry these tools with the tool head down, close to the ground, and a head
of the body when outside a structure. When entering a building, carefully reposition the tool in carry
it with the head up right close to the body to facilitate prompt use. These tools are especially
dangerous because they are somewhat unwieldy and can severely injure anyone accidentally jabbed
with the working end of the tool.
Striking tools - Keep the heads of these tools close to the ground. Maintain a firm grip. Mauls and
sledgehammers are heavy and may slip from your grasp

4. What are the four basic types of locks?

1. Cylindrical Locksets
2. Dead-Bolt Locks
3. Mortise Locks
4. Drop-Bolt Locks? (just double check these are right)

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5. Describe the two-firefighter method to force entry through a single swinging door. p. 415))
1. Size up the door and lock
2. Firefighter #1: Place the fork of the Halligan just above or below the lock with the bevel side of
the fork against the door.
3. Firefighter #1: Give the command to strike when ready and reposition the Halligan as
necessary between strikes.
4. Firefighter #2: As firefighter #1 commands, strike the Halligan with the back of the flat-head
axe until commanded to stop.
5. Make sure the fork end has penetrated between the door and the door jamb and that
approximately three-fourths of the forked end is extending past the door.
6. Exert pressure on the Halligan tool toward the door, forcing it open.

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