By Brandon Maurer
Size Up
On initial size-up, firefighters find a metal door, metal frame with a cylinder and collar ring in line with a thumb latch and handle. Looking through the reveal, between the door and frame, we do not see any latch or bolt. However, we do see a metal plate at the same height of the lock cylinder, surface mounted to the jamb. The door swings outward, giving access to the second floor from an interior stairwell. Lastly, not seen in this video, there are mirroring carriage bolts in the upper-right corner on the hinge side.
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General Impression
Based on the information from our size-up, we can formulate a general impression of the door and lock(s). The door is a fire-rated, self-closing, emergency exit that opens out to an interior stairwell. The lock style is likely some kind of panic hardware with a self-closing slam latch. Panic-style locks are surface mounted on the door, approximately 34- to 48-inches up from the floor, per life safety code. In this particular application, a rim-type cylinder and thumb latch have been installed on the exterior of the door. Although we are steering in the direction of a rim-style lock, it is never a bad idea to make note of the keyway orientation. This could be helpful later if it turns out to be a mortise lock.
Choosing a Lock Puller
With the cylinder having a collar ring and being flush on the face of the door, the K-tool would not be able to recess behind to bite around the cylinder. Removing the collar by means of a screwdriver or the pry end of the Rex may provide enough real estate to get a bite with the K-tool in some circumstances. A tool of choice that shows its superiority demonstrated in this application is the Rex lock puller, because we don’t have to remove the collar, saving us time and effort.
Tips for Improving Effectiveness in Forcible Entry, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Pulling the Cylinder
Initially, the Rex is angled down, allowing the tips to be driven behind the cylinder face and collar ring. Once the blades get a good bite, the lock puller can be walked up. Walking the tool is done by pulling up with each hit until the blades are vertical around the cylinder and the ramp/beveled edge of the Rex is flush against the face of the door. This allows for maximum leverage when pulling the cylinder. When set, the lock puller is pivoted upward, thus prying the cylinder out of the door. The cylinder comes out on the initial pry, however, the through bolts are still catching on the interior mounting plate. To overcome this, the Rex is pivoted up once more on the door face to pull them through. If the screws are longer or more leverage is needed to remove them, then the face of an ax head can be placed between the door and lock puller to fill the gap.
Manipulating the Action
Now that the cylinder has been removed, the lock type can be identified. As mentioned during the pull, through bolts can be seen going into the back of the cylinder. Also, the back of the cylinder has a stem that goes through the door. Looking into the cylinder opening, we can see a “+” in the back where the stem inserts into the lock action. All these features are indicators of a rim-style lock. The pick of the Key Tool is used to turn the action; another option would be a 6-in-1 screwdriver for more leverage. The action is rotated to the left multiple revolutions before the thumb latch releases.
Special thanks to Jadon Koehler, Wichita (KS) Fire House 1, for his assistance.
BRANDON MAURER is a 14-year veteran of the Wichita (KS) Fire Department and the senior chauffeur assigned to Truck Company 1, Downtown. He’s an instructor at FDIC International’s Hybrid HOT Program through-the-lock forcible entry class. He also instructs for the Wichita Truck Academy, teaching fire recruits and law enforcement with various instructor cadres, with an emphasis on truck company operations and forcible entry. He has also served with Wichita Police SWAT as a breacher.
