Breaking and Breaching

1. Breaking and Breaching

3. Tools Used but NOT in Light Operational Level Cache Air chisels Electric chain saws Skill saws Reciprocating saws Electric drills Hydraulic spreaders Tin snips, linoleum or razor knife

4. Light Frame Structure Design Foundation Concrete slab � flush Cripple wall � raised May not be secured if build prior to 1960 Floors Joists support floor assembly Spaced every 12 or 16 inches Covered with wood, tile, carpet, linoleum or lightweight concrete

5. Light Frame Structure Design Walls Wood or metal studs that provide support to upper floors or roof assembly Covered with stucco. Lath and plaster, sheetrock, wood paneling Roof Joist support to perimeter frame and roof covering materials Spaced every 26 or 24 inches Roof covering materials Wood or asphalt shingles Clay tile, slate, metal

6. Light Frame Construction Materials Wood timber Plywood Light gauge aluminum Light gauge steel Wood lath and plaster Drywall, sheet rock or gypsum Stucco on wire lath Un-reinforced masonry Reinforced masonry Light weight concrete

7. Breaking and Breaching Safety Proper PPE Ensure proper use and limits of tools Use the right tool for the job Use and store fuels safety Maintain good ventilation Be aware of surroundings Trip hazards Location of others and victims Maintain firm control of tools

8. Breaking and Breaching Operations Evaluate area before breaching Collapse potentials Materials to be cut Clear of main support members, pipe, wires Victim location Consider alternate entry possibilities Windows, skylights, existing openings from collapse

9. Breaking and Breaching Operations Remove finish materials from surfaces to be cut Avoid cutting electrical wires and plumbing Do not breach blindly � use inspection holes Install shoring systems if needed Remove smaller debris items first then larger pieces Careful with cutting through some household items Possible tool use in confined spaces Caution operating tools in awkward positions

10. Breaking and Breaching Operations Acceptable to breach through walls and floors of light frame construction Interior and exterior components work together to support breaches Minimize vibrations by breaching near studs and joists Can remove 1 main support in breach Use caution with removal of 2 adjacent main supports

11. Breaking and Breaching Operations Breaking masonry and light weight concrete Use existing fractures and cracks Break at cement joints on brick veneers Break through cell areas with cinder block Enlarge breached holes by breaking material away from the edges of the hole Breaching operations are very time consuming, labor intensive and frustrating

12. Shape and Size of Breached Openings Should allow adequate size for rescuer and victims on stretcher to access Types of Cuts Square Triangle Circle Surfaces Heavy wall Heavy floor Precast concrete

13. Shape and Size of Breached Openings Square Opening � 24� x24� min. Requires 4 cuts Not recommended for masonry walls due to the top of the opening becoming weakened by the cut Triangle � 36� x36� x36� min. Requires 3 cuts Recommended for masonry walls Circle � 24� diameter min. Break with sledge hammer from the center outward OK for masonry walls due to the top of the circle maintaining the arch effect

14. Breaking and Breaching Operations - General Categories Heavy Wall Unreinforced masonry Avoid breaching operations in walls breach floors or ceiling Use existing openings or cracks Reinforced masonry OK to breach walls May have steel rebar in place Basic and light cache tools almost useless Enlarge existing openings or cracks

15. Breaking and Breaching Operations � General Categories Heavy floor and Precast Concrete OK to breach through floors Concrete may be 5 to 8 inches thick with rebar Basic and light cache tools almost useless Enlarge existing openings or cracks Precast concrete � may have post or pre-tension cables Caution cutting tensioned cables Cable movement Further structure collapse