Brennan Q&A January 2004

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TOM BRENNAN has more than 35 years of fire service experience having responded to 33,000 fire alarms. His career spans more than 20 years with the Fire Department of New York as well as four years as chief of the Waterbury (Conn.) Fire Department. He has a bachelor of science degree, summa cum laude, John Jay College; Alumnus of the Year Award, John Jay College; chairman of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and a charter member of the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Service Section. He has delivered courses and seminars throughout the United States and has instructed at the National Fire Academy. He was the editor of Fire Engineering Magazine for eight years, is currently a technical editor, and his column “Random Thoughts,” is a regular monthly feature. He is co-editor of The Fire Chief’s Handbook, Fifth Edition. He is the recipient of the 1998 Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.

JANUARY 2004

Question: A difference of opinion is beginning to develop on how to cut roll-down gates. Some prefer the “tent” or “inverted-V” cut, but others are starting to prefer the “curtain cut.” After personally using both at fire locations, it appears to me that the “inverted V” is more efficient. Could you give me your opinion, based on your experienced reasons to support that choice?

Answer: Every 10 years or so, another large group in any municipal department become the “senior guys” by nature of time in the job and are asked questions by the new junior personnel — since they are the only game in town.

Many basic “truths” get re-tested all the time. Usually, this is because the new senior firefighters want to use their imaginative guesses, rather than experience in the real world, to change things. Among the typical, debated issues are these: fork or adz for forcing inward opening doors, roof operations with people seen trapped, whether to suspend hoseline advance, extinguishment in lieu of a rescue attempt, and more.

To find an answer or settle on a truth, the chosen way or basic practice should have to make sense in a variety of scenarios. Once a new technique becomes an option for a firefighter, instructor or officer, it must offer more benefits than the “older” method before the new is adopted.

Such is the case with the cutting of roll-down, metal security doors.

As is the case with all forcible entries, roll-down doors are opened by getting the locking devices “out of the way” and opening the door as quickly, safely, and effectively as possible, commensurate with fire conditions behind it.

In this case, take the padlocks away by opening, cutting, or breaking them. Then remove the manual latching assemblies that the locks control and open the door much as the owner would — manually, mechanically or electrically.

If you get to the point where you decide (truck people make decisions) to cut the door, you have obviously already settled on one or more of about five or six reasons why removal of padlocks is relatively impossible in this instance.

Most times, the reasons are that fire conditions have deformed the door prior to arrival or the life hazard above the commercial occupancy on fire is so severe (for civilian and searching firefighters) that water must be directed at the interior of the store immediately to protect them from extending fire conditions.

Other reasons that lead to the same decision are:

There are too many locks on the door.
The locks are too protected by other metal devices.
The type of lock is such that forcing is too time-consuming or impossible.
The officer is ordering you to cut the door.

By using the inverted-V method, you have the ability to begin to apply a well-directed stream into the fully involved occupancy as the saw begins to make the second cut. Entry is possible for the engine company when the second cut is complete. Ventilation is then enhanced by pulling the slats from the guide as the locking device position indicates.

This cut is easier and, most importantly, safer; and you can get it done with a carbide-tip blade if you are forced to use it.

With the other type of cut, you are trying to cut a square opening into the door. All three — THREE — cuts must be finished before any other action is done. Some will say use two cuts (that also must be completed) and then pull a slat from the door to create the square opening. Others require you to make a third cut — overhead and horizontal to complete the opening.

The overhead horizontal cut is the most dangerous cut you can make with the rotary saw. The oscillations of the motor action play havoc with vibration-numbed hands, and, if you don’t make this cut first, your arms are becoming super tired and weak.

Remember also that the aluminum oxide blade does not take shear (twisting) stress well and has been known to shatter if the saw twists in the cut to any degree.

Cut the V; get the water where is will do the most good; make an interior advance, if possible; pull slats to increase the opening in the door and to assist horizontal ventilation; and get on with your business.

Only my opinion!

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Write if you agree or don’t agree or on anything. Tbrennan@firenuggets.com

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