Framing Square Video

Here’s another video we shot a while back that we recently came across. This video shows the framing square forcible entry technique. We originally featured this technique a few years ago, click here to see the original write-up. The technique involves using the rotary saw and a framing square to manipulate panic hardware. The benefit to this technique is that this allows the door to be secured afterward. A simple strip of duct tape over the kurf you made in the door and you are good to go. The building will be able to be secured until the building owner can get the door repaired (weld or bondo?) This technique is certainly not something that could, or would be used often but you may find a situation when you could utilize it. This technique WOULD NOT be necessary on a door like the one shown here, this was the only door available at the time.
[flv]http://www.vententersearch.com/videos/flv/framingsquare.flv[/flv]

25 thoughts on “Framing Square Video

  1. DMAN72 says:

    Any excuse to use the sa’r! Kidding, seriously though, I wonder who the first person will be to say “Couldnt you just break the glass and reach down?” because they didn’t read the above? PS I got my hoodie and Im excited as a school girl!

  2. RR E8T says:

    Nice job guys, always thinking. Obviously we wouldn’t need this on the door shown above like you already stated. However maybe on a door that has a significant latch guard bolted to the outside that will slow conventional entry with the irons down. A trick that I know many of us have seen can be done with the irons. We have had no problem doing it in under 45 seconds. Size up and find your point of attack just above where the hardware will be and about a foot and a half off of the jamb. Drive the pike of the halligan through the door, now drive the adze through the same hole and pry to make it bigger. Lastly drive the forks through the same hole and tip the bar up to trip the panic bar. With proper size up and tool placement it can be done very quickly. I do not think it should be your first choice however, most doors that are only locked by a panic bar should be very easy to force conventionally at the jamb. Many of my mentors have reminded/shown me that an aggressive set of irons can get through many obstacles even faster then a saw. Great job brothers, you gotta love this stuff.

  3. Ryan Patrician says:

    Yeah I love my new framing square pocket in the turnout gear my chief just bought me. Awesome job Brothers. I cant wait to try out this new tactic that never we be attempted.

    Website is a joke…to much time on the hands of some wanna be real firefighters!

  4. firefighter_632 says:

    “…to much time on the hands of some wanna be real firefighters!”

    Let’s see here, 9 years field exp, finishing 2nd college degree, obviously career firemedic and I am still not a real firefighter?!?

    You whine yet offer nothing. What new tactics have you come up with lately?

  5. DMAN72 says:

    Just let it go guys. Just some D-bag whose mommy didnt hug him enough or breast fed him until he was 12. He’s just trying to get a reaction from people and who really gives a f@#k what anyone else things. VES is awesome and we love it. And just for the record, an online dictionary defines “firefighter” as a noun, “one who fights or extinguishes fires.” I was unable to find a definition of “real firefighters.” Jimm is half man, half possible centaur. Either way, I wish he was my dad.

  6. pfd27 says:

    Alright, now I’m pissed. All this time I thought this site was interesting and a great source for tips & tricks…now I find out its’ a joke.

    Thank you Ryan.

    Stay safe and Happy New Year (I’d say Bro, but we both know better)

  7. Nate999 says:

    Come on, guys…any real firefighter knows that your framing square first goes into a latex glove before putting it in your turnout pocket.

    …And how did he know I was posting this from the Holiday Inn Express? He must be friends with that meter puller guy.

    Really, though. Even if some may never use it,look at the ensuing posts talking about similar techniques with the irons. Just more to keep in the ol’ noggin.

  8. riley says:

    I bet Ryan took the remote. Ass.

    riley

  9. FitSsikS says:

    Don’t feed the trolls. Ok, maybe just a little.

    Ryan: “Website is a joke…to much time on the hands of some wanna be real firefighters!”

    No way…I save time by never….ever using Facebook.

    Unlike yourself.

    Pdf27: “Stay safe and Happy New Year (I’d say Bro, but we both know better)”

    You hit the nail right on the head there brother! 😉

    To all my bros out there Happy New Year!

    (So you’re not included Ryan)

    Neener neener.

  10. DMAN72 says:

    Eeeasy, FitSsikS, facebook is awesome!

  11. FitSsikS says:

    Umm….I have been told by the creators of Facebook that my face violates their terms of usage.

  12. LuckyToBeFD says:

    Thanks to you guys for another tip to put “in the toolbox”. I, for one, am glad to have a site like this one to exchange tips and ideas with my brothers and sisters in the trade. I’ve been fortunate enough to apply some of the skills I’ve learned from this very site on several “real” incidents. Thanks, Jimm, and all who post. Happy New Year and Stay Safe.

    PS- Ryan, with some of your spare time, why not enroll in an English class. “We be attempted”? WTF does that mean? Oh, and it’s “too much”, not “to much”, you ignorant tool. Thank god the fire service is moving past dummies like you. Get educated or get out. You’re going to get somebody hurt.

  13. LAD288 says:

    Of course… Who doesn’t have a framing square on the rig. I keep mine right next to my leaf blower in the rear compartment.

  14. FF_Goodnight says:

    “Website is a joke” HA haha haha ha ha… uh, I didnt get the punch line. Dont hate Ryan. All in all the job is about figuring out problems and going home after you solve the problem. And if I saw a framing square I would probably put a latex glove over it and told you to pop the meter off while I “Centaur” kicked the door in, whipped out my Incredible Hulk action figure with real action leaf blower, and took a quick picture to post on facebook! … Another good training aid and tip for the trade, solid work brothers.

  15. DMAN72 says:

    OK, this is weird… I swear on my children’s lives that T’ve had an Incredible Hulk action figure in my gear for 16 years!!

  16. FF_Goodnight says:

    Hahaha… I still say the Jenna Jameson action figure is waaaayyyy better!

  17. Brickcity1306 says:

    LAD288 that is some funny stuff!!!! Happy new year everyone,, Ryan oh Ryan LOL what to say ??

    Any way, we make our probie carry a saw, hook & can, framing square and one of those sweet new collapsible ladders all in his pocket of course all are well protected in multiple latex gloves ;-)..

  18. truckman says:

    Like the idea…here is maybe a better refined idea to the saw and framing square. 1/2″ piece of rebar bent in half roughly 90 degrees. Same way as framing square. Instead of using saw take halligan bar and drive through the door, using the pike end drive through the door and stick the rebar through the door and pull panic bar. Now here we go..doors of this type to strong for this and that…whatever another idea using tools that are more accesible because we all now there is always about 9,000 halligans laying in the front yard and around the scene. Take it try it, size it up. Oh and by the way I am fireman not a english teacher so…f*&k O*F

  19. pfd27 says:

    truckman,

    Would that be an original halligan or one of them new fangled pinned ones???

  20. truckman says:

    pfd27,
    I personally do not care for the pinned ones at all, however I don’t see why one of those wouldn’t work if that is what your department has. I know they tend to be a more blunt, however i guess you could just grind it down some.

  21. 608rrvol says:

    We may not all carry the framing square with us at all times, however things such as this are what the fire service is founded on one idea being trained on and new ideas spawning from that. Being closed minded is what stops the progress of the fire service year in and year out. So if you dont like the idea then dont use it but dont just write it off. My suggestion would be if you make it that far with a saw (possibly on the way to the roof) then make what I call an inspection hole and pop the panic hardware yourself. This would be more conventional than carrying the square and would save more time and energy than forcing it with the irons. However keep in mind all of this is assuming your in the same situation as the scenario in question.

  22. youngin says:

    good thinking guys i love it .who woulda thunk it a saw and just a regular framing square . absolutley brillant . i wish i could be a real firefighter hahaha.and to whoever created this site you sir deserve an award .i love this site . i take a lot of the stuff i get off here and try it out some works fore me some dosnt but you never know til you open your eyes

  23. DMAN72 says:

    Award??? Hell Nobel prize! They gave President Obama one! Wait….F#$k it….Vote Walsh 2012!!!!!!!

  24. Mike says:

    Why don’t you just break the glass and do the same thing, you don’t even need a framing square. It would be cheaper to replace the glass than a door plus it would be much quicker. Good idea though.

  25. Eric says:

    Just use the saw to cut the throw of the lock. It takes less than 10 seconds. You will also save your blade for more productive cuts on things like window bars or rolldown gates.

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