Security Grates & Bars

®	March 2000

SECURITY GRATES AND BARS ON WINDOWS: FIREFIGHTER KILLERS

By Dave McGrail, Captain
Denver Fire Department

A Tragic History
On September 28, 1992, at 0203 hours, the Denver Fire Department dispatched a first-alarm assignment to a reported building on fire at 1625 South Broadway Street. The engineer/driver of the first due truck company (Truck Co. #16) was Mark Langvardt. This, unfortunately, would be his last alarm. I dedicate the nuggets of experience gained at the expense of Mark’s death to him and his family, as well as to the prevention of future tragedies.

There were, as I refer to it, “several dominos” that fell on a tragic path to Mark Langvardt’s death. These included a wide range of items such as the lightweight wood-frame construction of the fire building, which failed and collapsed during the operation, and inadequate resources assigned on the first alarm. However, the final “domino” resulting in the death of our brother firefighter was a single metal security grate covering a small window.

Security Grates and Bars on Windows

Security grates and/or bars on windows have become an ever-increasing problem for many firefighters. What was once only a problem for firefighters in urban areas has now grown to include most jurisdictions, suburban and rural included. Regardless of jurisdictional boundaries, security grates and bars on windows can quickly become a death trap for firefighters on the inside. Fighting a fire in a building with security grates and/or bars on windows is the equivalent of fighting a fire in a jail. There may, in essence, be only one way in and one way out for the civilian occupants and firefighters alike. As we all know, a secondary means of egress is a critical concern for firefighters operating on the inside of a burning building.

Most Common Type of Security Grates and Bars on Windows

I have found that there are generally two broad types of security grates and bars on windows. The first and most common type is relatively easy to deal with and can be removed quickly, at least from the outside of a building. This type is usually a one-piece framework, square or rectangle in shape, with heavy-gauge metal angle iron forming the box and either a metal mesh grate or bars forming the web, which is, in turn, anchored to the box frame. This assembly typically has metal tabs protruding from the corners and sometimes the middle of the box for anchor points. The entire assembly is placed over a window and anchored to the wall.

Removal

The primary method of removing this type of security grate or bars is to focus on the anchor points. This works best when it is anchored into some sort of masonry, specifically mortar joints around brick. During installation, this is frequently the location where the grate is anchored, because it is much easier to drill through the mortar than it is to go through the brick itself. It also makes it much easier for firefighters to remove in an emergency situation. The anchors are generally short lag bolts, screwed into lead expansion plugs.

Once this type of security grate or bars has been identified, and if it is anchored in mortar or masonry, firefighters should focus on attacking the anchor points by striking on or near them with a heavy striking tool. It is best to actually strike the box framework of the grate near the anchor point. The shock of striking it in this location is transmitted to the anchor and in most cases quickly loosens it up. Firefighters will generally only need to attack the anchors on one side of the grate, top and bottom, (and middle if an anchor exists at this point) with one or two substantial blows from a heavy striking tool.

Once the anchors on one side have been loosened, use the leverage of the grate itself to pull the anchors on the opposite side out. In other words, loosen the anchors on one side, and simply peel the grate off. Be careful: these grates are heavy, sometimes several hundred pounds or more. Once the grate comes loose it will drop and can seriously injury a firefighter standing below if it strikes him.

Secondary Method of Removal

If the above striking method to loosen the anchors does not work immediately, or if this type of security grate assembly is anchored into wood and the wood is in good condition, firefighters should use a secondary method to remove the grates. The striking method will generally not work when security grates are anchored into wood. In either case, firefighters should move to a power tool, such as a circular saw with a composite metal-cutting blade. It is important to have your Truck and Rescue Companies set up with at least two power saws dedicated to forcible entry/exit operations. One saw should have a metal-cutting blade in place and ready to go for forcible entry and exit operations. Once again, focus on the location near the anchor points, in this case, the short tabs that come out from most security-grate assemblies. Cut the tab at the top and bottom (and middle if it exists). Once again, the grate assembly can simply be peeled away from the window and removed from the wall.

Sometimes the grate will not fall off the wall but will remain anchored on one side. This is acceptable, if a large enough emergency egress opening has been established. However, the concern of the grate falling and injuring a firefighter remains and may have to be addressed. If in doubt, remove it entirely.

A minimum of two firefighters, preferably an entire company of four or more firefighters, should be assembled to serve as an emergency egress team. This team should be equipped with the appropriate forcible entry/exit tools, including at least one substantial striking tool and a power saw with a metal-cutting blade. For above-grade windows, a short ladder will also be necessary.

I have found that two physically and mentally prepared firefighters, equipped with the proper tools, can quickly remove several grates during a fire ground operation involving most small- to medium-sized structures. In many cases, this team of two will be able to quickly take care of an entire building. However, multiple teams of two or more should be established for larger buildings, especially commercial occupancies. In fact, one or more, perhaps even several truck or rescue companies may be needed to effectively accomplish the task of removing security grates and establishing a secondary means of egress at some buildings.

Other Types of Security Grates

The second type of security grate or bars on windows are those that are anchored directly into the building structure itself. This is truly the equivalent of a jail cell. Once these are encountered, it becomes a critical concern for the incident commander. To remove this type

requires very heavy cutting tools, such as saws, hydraulic cutters, and exothermic cutting torches. The removal of this type is very labor intensive and extremely time-consuming. Members should look for an alternate means of establishing a secondary egress. However, we must always be prepared to complete even this most difficult operation. At the very least, the incident commander must always consider an early move to a defensive operating mode if interior crews do not make positive progress quickly, especially in those buildings where there is no obvious civilian life hazard, such as a late-night fire in an unoccupied commercial building.

Another situation, which used to be somewhat unusual but is gaining popularity, are security grates and/or bars anchored on the inside of a building. Needless to say, this presents an even greater problem of removal, because firefighters will generally have to be on the interior to access the anchor points for removal. In smoke and heat conditions, this will be nearly impossible to complete. Therefore, firefighters should first attempt to remove the security grates from the outside, by forcefully striking at the corners in an attempt to drive the grate off the wall and into the building. This will be very difficult in most cases, but it may be the only available option. Firefighters should make every attempt to identify if any occupants or firefighters are located inside near the window area, and be careful to avoid injuring or potentially pinning someone with a security grate as it is forced inward.

The Forcible Exit Tool

The final means of defense against this deadly enemy is for all firefighters operating on the inside to have immediate access to a forcible exit tool. This includes those members operating on engine companies. At the very least, a team of firefighters should equip at least one member with a forcible exit tool. I have found that a reasonably substantial tool can be carried in a leather sheath or any type of appropriate tool belt allowing the hands to be free. This is especially important for engine company members who will be stretching and extending hose lines and need their hands free. However, it is also helpful for truck and rescue company personal who may need their hands free to complete a rescue of other similar task.

For the past decade, I have carried a forcible entry/exit tool with me for all fire ground operations. This includes my time spent as an engine-company captain in which I was generally part of the team stretching and advancing hose lines, specifically when 2½-inch lines were used (DFD operates with four-man crews, including the company officer). I carry a Denver Tool, with a 30-inch handle, and a 6½- pound head. This is a reasonably substantial tool, but is still light and compact enough to carry in a leather sheath attached to my SCBA waist strap. All firefighters should develop something that works for them. The key is, always have a forcible exit tool!

Preplan and Prepare

Firefighters should take a close look at the buildings in their first-in district. Identify which of these buildings have security grates and/or bars on windows. Then take a closer look and identify what type of grates they are, how they are anchored, and what would be the best method to remove them in an emergency situation.

The key is to be very pro-active. Don’t wait for a firefighter or occupant to become trapped behind a security grate or bars on a window to begin the process of removal. You could be too late! As long as your firefighters are operating inside a building with these barriers on the windows, you must initiate steps to provide a secondary means of egress.

The following steps are recommended for fire ground operations:

Call for the necessary resources in order to safely and successfully complete any and all fire ground operations, including the necessary manpower to remove security grates and/or bars on windows. That may require a second alarm in many jurisdictions, or perhaps mutual aid for smaller and rural fire departments.
Note whether the fire building has security grates or bars on windows, which will prevent an emergency egress. This can be done effectively by completing a 360-degree size-up, if possible, or using an exposure officer to size-up the rear of the building and/or any other locations which the incident commander cannot immediately evaluate.
Assign a team with a minimum of two firefighters to remove the security grates or bars found covering the windows of small- to medium-sized buildings. Larger, or perhaps even multiple teams should be established for larger buildings and/or more difficult removals.
Focus on the areas of greatest danger first, those areas where occupants may be located and firefighters are operating and most likely to become trapped.
Once the fire has been brought under control, all searches completed, and any extension of fire has been stopped, the incident commander can discontinue the removal of security grates from the building. This prevents unnecessary damage.
Always assign a team to serve as a Rapid Intervention Team. Don’t wait until “all-hands” are committed and operating to call for and establish a RIT Team. When you need Rapid Intervention to help save a firefighter, you need it now!
Keep in mind that the Rapid Intervention Team is committed to an assignment, even though it may be to simply standby. In addition to this, the incident commander must have an appropriate number of companies and manpower available and standing by in staging. Think, anticipate, and prepare for the worst. You can always send unused companies and manpower back, but once you slip behind the fire ground resource curve, you could already be well on your way to another tragedy.
If you simply do not have the resources available to initiate and complete these recommended tactical procedures, you must seriously consider moving to a defensive operating mode if interior progress is not established quickly.

My primary fire service mentor is my father, Pat McGrail. He spent 42 years on the busiest companies of the Denver Fire Department, gaining a wealth of fire ground experience. He retired from the DFD as the division chief of operations in 1997. I would like to share with you the most important lesson he ever gave me: “The most important fire you will ever go to is the one you’re at right now.”

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