Orange County Fire Rescue Department In Service Training Division Outside Operations Revision 7/2009 1
Section Contents Page Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) 3 Controlling Utilities 5 Forcible Entry 7 General Guidelines for Power Saws 9 Cutting Operations 11 Revision 7/2009 2
Outside Operations Putting water on the fire isn t the only method we use to reduce fight a structure fire. Controlling the utilities, forcing entry, overcoming burglar bars and cutting openings are among the basic operations done for firefighter/victim safety and to enhance the overall fireground operations. This drill incorporates the use of specialized training props built by the Back to Basics instructors. Learning Goals: Knowledge: The firefighter(s) shall be able to demonstrate the following: 1. Explain the importance of controlling the gas, electrical and water service to a structure. 2. Explain the steps for forcing entry to a door that swings inward, outward and the methods for through-the-lock entry. 3. Explain the steps for checking and servicing a power saw (chain and circular). 4. Explain the traits of a diamond blade for a circular saw and its uses on the fire ground. 5. Explain the principles for cutting an object under tension, compression and neutral settings. Skills: While working as a team, the fire company shall be able to perform the following skills while following the safety and performance guidelines outlined in this program: 1. Control the gas to a structure and employ proper lock-out/tag-out techniques. 2. Force an inward swinging door. 3. Force an outward swinging door. 4. Cut metal using a circular saw at various heights. 5. Check and service a chainsaw and a circular saw. 6. Cut wood using a chainsaw in various positions and under various situations (compression, tension and neutral). Abilities: Working as a team of at least two people, the firefighter shall be able to safely control utilities, employ lock-out/tag-out techniques, force entry, cut wood, cut Revision 7/2009 3
steel, and properly service all the equipment used for outside fireground activities. Reference: NFPA1001 5.3.4; 5.3.9(A); 5.3.11; 5.3.12; 5.3.18; 5.5.3; Firefighter I and 6.3.2(B); 6.5.2; Firefighter II. Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 5th Edition, IFSTA Safe Firefighting: Levels I and II; McGraw-Hill Revision 7/2009 4
Back to the Basics Forcible Entry and Outside Operations CONTROLLING THE UTILITIES Almost every building has some sort of utility connection that may need to be controlled during an emergency. This control usually means shutting off the electrical, gas and/or water service to the building. The follow up to controlling each service is to notify Command that the utility is controlled and then lockout/tagout the system. Do not get into the habit of saying that the utilities are controlled without first assuring that ALL of the utilities that service the building have been neutralized. Lockout/Tagout Systems: A lockout/tagout system is employed any time we disrupt utilities (gas, electrical, water) or when ordered to keep safe a mechanical process during a rescue. This system ensures that any switch or valve that is meant to remain in its present position is locked into that position with a lock, and that everyone affected by the system is accounted for before the switch or valve is operated again. Gas Service: Many buildings have some sort of gas service that is used for heating, cooking or mechanical processes. The type of gas provided is usually natural gas that is piped in or liquid propane gas that is stored in gas tanks on the property. These tanks can be above ground or below ground. Natural gas service to a building is controlled most often by a quarter-turn in-line valve. Simply put, if the valve flange is in-line with the pipe, then the valve is open and gas is flowing. If the valve flange is perpendicular to the pipe, then the valve is closed and the gas is not flowing. The shut-off flange for gas is made of soft, non-ferrous metal (brass) so that is it non-sparking. Because the metal is soft, it is prone to damage if the valve is frozen and too much pressure is applied to close the valve. Do not strike the valve with a hardened tool, as this could break the valve flange and cause a leak at the valve. Controlling Natural Gas Service: Locate the service meter and flow-regulator piping on the property. These items are usually found along an exterior wall. If the meter and piping are below ground, there will be an access lid on the property. Revision 7/2009 5
Step 2: Find the valve on the piping and turn the valve so that the flange is perpendicular to the pipe. Useful tools for this are a spanner, the forked end of a Halligan Tool, or the slotted end of some of our ceiling hooks. Step 3: Notify the company officer or the Incident Commander that you have controlled the gas and apply a lockout/tagout device. Controlling Liquid Propane Gas Service: Locate the gas tank and assure that it is not leaking before approaching. Step 2: Lift the access lid on the tank and located the shutoff valve. Turn it in a clockwise direction to shut down the flow. Step 3: Notify the company officer or the Incident Commander that you have controlled the gas and apply a lockout/tagout device. Electrical Service: There is usually a main disconnect switch that can be switched into the off position to cut the power to a building. This disconnect switch is usually near the power meter. Commercial buildings will often have a shunt switch, which is accessed by breaking the glass cover, or better yet, simply unscrewing the cover so that the switch automatically opens the circuit and stops the flow of electricity to the building. Controlling Electrical Utilities: When given the direction to control the electricity: Locate the electrical meter and service junction outside the building. If the service is provided by overhead power lines then you can usually follow the service line to the building. Step 2: Take a good look at the meter and breaker box area. If it is flooded with water or the ground below is wet, do not touch the main switch. Also, look for a lockout/tagout. If either of these conditions exist, do nothing and report the situation. Step 3: If the meter and breaker box area are clear, shut down the main switch and report that the task has been completed. SAFETY NOTE: Look out for a downed electrical feed that has burned away during a fire and isolate the area around the line. The power is most likely off if the service has burned away, but the electrical service is still an extreme hazard to anyone to steps near the line. Revision 7/2009 6
FORCIBLE ENTRY If the door is locked, then be prepared to force entry when told to do so and not before. Before you take action, it is important that a charged hoseline is in place and that the fire attack team is ready for the door to be opened. There are two basic maneuvers that help you force open most conventional residential doors; the methods used depends on the directon in which the door swings. When sizing up a door that you are about to force open, look closely at wheter the door swings inward (away from you) or outward (toward you). Generally, if the hinges are visible on the outside, the door swings outward. Next, try the doorknob. The door may not be locked; if it isn t, report this to your company officer and be ready for another order. An unlocked door is noteworthy because it may be evidence for a later investigation by the State Fire Marshall s office. SAFETY NOTE: The door may swing uncontrollably when it is forced. Maintain control of the door with a strap or other method so you can shut it quickly if needed. Forcible Entry Inward Swinging Door (Adze Method) Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Size up the door and check to see if it is locked, the direction it swings and the location of the lock(s). Confirm that the hose team is in place with a charged line and is ready for the door to be forced. Position the adze end of the Halligan bar in the gap between the stop on the jamb and the door, just above or below the lock(s). Pound the adze end into place until it is well seated between the door and the jamb. Apply force to the bar, moving the bar toward the door until the door opens. Expect the doorjamb to shatter when using this method. Forcible Entry Outward Swinging Door (Adze Method) Size up the door and check to see if it is locked, the direction it swings and the location of the lock(s). Revision 7/2009 7
Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Confirm that the hose team is in place with a charged line and is ready for the door to be forced. Position the adze end of the Halligan bar in the gap between the jamb and the door, just above or below the lock(s). Pound the adze end into place until it is well seated between the door and the jamb. Apply force to the bar, moving the bar away from the door until the door opens. Expect the doorjamb to shatter when using this method. Forcible Entry Outward Swinging Door (Hinge First Method) NOTE: This is to be explained, but not demonstrated on the training prop. Step 2: Step 3: Size up the door and check to see if it is locked, the direction it swings and the location of the lock(s). Confirm that the hose team is in place with a charged line and is ready for the door to be forced. Push the forked end of a Halligan tool securely behind the hinge. Pull out on the bar. The screws that hold the hinges in place offer little resistance to the force of the prying tool. Forcible Entry Through the Lock Method Most commercial doors have a very strong mortise style lock that is set in a strong frame. The quickest method for overcoming these types doors is usually the through the lock method. This type of entry involves extracting the key cylinder from the door and manipulating the internal mechanism to move the lock. Extracting the Key Cylinder: Inspect the door to be sure it is locked and feel for extreme heat. Report the location of the door you are going to force and receive confirmation before forcing the door. Step 2: Place the lock pulling tool over the cylinder until it bites and extract the cylinder, exposing the mechanism. You can also use a pipe wrench or large set of pliers to spin the cylinder from the lock. Revision 7/2009 8
Manipulating the Locking Mechanism: Look into the opening and determine the location of the locking mechanism. Step 2: Insert the angled end of the key tool and depress the roller cam or other type of spring-type latch that allows the lock to move. Move the mechanism to either the 5-o clock or the 7-o clock position to open the lock. NOTE: For a rim or tubular lock, insert the appropriate type of key tool and twist the mechanism to operate the lock. Forcible Entry Garage Doors Residential garage doors are either a hinged panel type or a single slab design. Today s garage doors are usually operated by an electric opener that makes is hard to force from outside. If this is the case, the doors can often be opened by pushing a tool between the top of the door and the header, passing it in so that the cord that releases the door can be pulled, or the lever at the top of the garage door mechanism can be hooked and released. Commercial overhead roll-up doors are usually secured by a chain that is often locked. If tasked to open an overhead rolling door that is locked at the chain, do not cut the chain. Instead, cut the lock so that the chain remains intact and can be used to open the door. When exposed to fire, a steel door will warp and become jammed. Making a triangular cut in the garage door is usually the quickest way to access the garage area. We will incorporate that sort of operation in a later drill, but for now we will concentrate on the basics of saw use. General Guidelines for Power Saws: We use chain saws and circular saws in our Department. For the most part, the circular saws are set up for cutting concrete and steel, while the chainsaws are better suited to cut wood. Be sure to follow the manufacturer s instructions when operating a power saw of any type. Both types of saws are driven by a two-stroke engine. This means that oil must be added to the gasoline for operating. Our saws use a 50:1 ratio. The most common problems with starting a saw include stale fuel, flooding from overchoking the engine, a clogged air filter or a fouled spark plug, so these should be checked regularly. Appropriate PPE Revision 7/2009 9
The minimum appropriate personal protective equipment for running a power saw included head, eye, hearing, hand and foot protection, as well as protective pants such as bunker pants or logger s chaps. Checking a Power Saw Make sure the engine is off, the chain stopped and the muffler cool before working on the saw. Step 2: Check all the fasteners on the saw and make sure they are tight. Check all the wear points on the anti-vibration system for wear or bottoming out. On a chainsaw, check the chain brake device for operation. The bar, chain and sprocket on a chainsaw require a lot of cleaning and maintenance, and are wear points on the saw. Step 3: Check the air filter. Clean or replace the filter when needed. Always close the choke on the saw before removing the filter to keep debris from falling into the carburetor. Step 4: Check the blade/chain for tightness, deformities, missing teeth, core cracks on the surface of a blade or other issues. Step 5: Check the fuel level, and the bar oil level if it is a chainsaw. Step 4: Start the saw. If it is a chainsaw, make sure the chain doesn t move while the saw is idling. If it still moves, send the saw in for adjustment. Allow the saw to run until it reaches normal operating temperature, then shut it off and allow it to cool before returning it to the truck. Starting a Power Saw: Note: Start the saw on the ground, then shut it down before moving on a roof or climbing a ladder. Use the chain brake on a chainsaw. Ensure that the saw is safe and ready for service (fluids up, chain or blade tight and you have on the proper PPE). Visually inspect the chain or cutting wheel for deformities. Step 2: Prepare the saw: Move the run/stop switch to the run position. If the saw is cold, pull out the choke fully. If the saw is warm, pull the choke to the half-stop position. If the saw is hot, leave the choke alone. Lock the throttle trigger in the start postion. Revision 7/2009 10
Step 3: With the saw firmly on the deck, brace the saw with your foot or knee and pull the rope sharply until it starts. Immediately put the choke in the off position and move the trigger to the idle position, letting the saw warm to the proper running temperature. Step 4: down. Move the run/stop switch to the stop position to shut the saw Cutting Operations The most common mistake a novice makes when initially cutting with a power saw is making contact with the surface to be cut before hitting the throttle. Pull the throttle trigger, allow the saw to rev up, and then start the cut. Take advantage of the power and momentum of a high-speed blade or saw. Otherwise, you will probably stall the motor and become frustrated. There are basically three situations that the material will be in when you cut it: neutral, compression or tension. For example, a log resting totally flat on the ground is in a neutral state because it is fully supported. However, if the same log was supported on either end and there was open space between the supports, the top of the log would be under compression and the bottom of the log would be under tension. It is best to cut the material on the side that is under tension so that the load falls away from the blade and does not pinch it during the cut. Clear the area around you of any debris, and provide proper footing before you start the saw. Look around you to make sure nobody is nearby or about to walk into the area where you are working. Think about how the item you are cutting will react as it is severed, and allow for the reaction in your cutting plan. Tips for making a cut with a power saw. 1. Always wear the appropriate PPE. 2. Inspect the saw before starting it. 3. Use the right tool for the job. 4. Let the saw do the work. The weight of the saw is usually enough pressure to make the cut. Do not force the saw. 5. Keep your cuts straight and efficient. Revision 7/2009 11
6. Start the saw at the truck to make sure it works. Then shut it off, and perform a warm or hot saw start when you reach the point where the saw will be used. 7. Avoid cutting from the saw s tip to help prevent kickback. 8. Use hand signals during high-noise operations. Two taps on the back means stop. 9. Engage the blade brake when moving with a running saw. 10. Know the difference between compression and tension on the item you are cutting, and act accordingly (cut so that the gap will widen as you go, not pinch the blade). Revision 7/2009 12