By Michael N. Ciampo
In communities across the country, storefronts exist on the first floor of many types of residences. They may be a small convenience store in a two- or three-story frame building or a larger retail store in a multiple dwelling. These occupancies are not to be confused with a “taxpayer” (large one- or two-story commercial occupancy). Unfortunately for us, there usually isn’t enough storage space for the stock, so it’s either in an overstuffed storage room inside the store, in a mezzanine, or in a basement. Reaching the seat of the fire may be difficult in storefront fires.
Pulling up to a working fire as an extra truck, we reported to the command post. Fire had possession of one store and extended into other stores in a large multiple dwelling. We were directed to gain access to the basement to shut down the utilities and check for extension. Companies inside the stores reported they couldn’t locate interior stairs to the basement. Many times there are “hatch” doors in the floors of these occupancies, which get covered by stock that the nozzle’s water stream has knocked down, making them difficult to find. From the street, we could see sidewalk access hatch covers in front of a few stores with attached padlocks or hockey puck locks (disc padlocks) as security devices. We had the foresight to bring both of our saws (irons and roof) and search rope with us to the command post, along with each member’s regularly assigned hand tools. If we didn’t need the equipment, we could leave it there or secure it in another apparatus.
The decision was made to split the team: Two members were assigned to go around the sides of the building and look for access from another direction (many times there are other doors into the basement or store, but they may be heavily fortified to protect the store’s merchandise) while the other members began forcing the sidewalk hatches.
Sidewalk hatchway covers are normally two steel panels that split the opening distance in half, with welded hinges attached to a steel frame set in the sidewalk. They often have a visible locking device closest to the building to prevent people from tripping over them when walking on the sidewalk. If not on the outside, they have some kind of locking device on the inside-a padlock, a security chain or cable, a bar made of wood, or a steel rod going through the inside handles. Firefighters have cut the padlock and pulled up on the recessed handle of the hatch cover only to have opened it a few inches because of an interior locking device. Inserting a hand tool, bolt cutter, or saw into the space isn’t possible because the opening is too narrow. If you’re lucky enough to cut the lock and the hatch opens, know that there may be no stairs leading down into the basement but rather a small vertical access ladder. If the ladder looks deficient, a scissor (folding or suitcase) ladder is a good choice to put into the opening.
Another problem with the hatches is that there may be a slide, stock rollers, or a conveyor belt blocking the entrance. An initial action should be to remove it from the opening if possible. If there are small and narrow stairs, descend legs first with your body facing the stairs so you can quickly retreat if conditions change-you reduce your body’s profile by laying into the stairs and reduce the chance of smacking your head on the frame when facing the building while descending.
There are a few methods of forcible entry if you encounter an interior security device on these hatchway covers. If you have removed the outside padlock with the forcible entry saw and notice that there’s an interior lock or chain, quickly go to one side and attack the hinges. The hinges may lie flat, and it’s better to cut them toward the inside of the panel next to the pin, not on the frame side.
Some hinges may be recessed; you can plunge cut them through the gap between the frame and the panel. Start the saw on low revolutions per minute (rpm) to gain a groove; then bring it up to full rpm during the cut. Once you have completed the cuts, lift the panel; it should pivot and lift toward the opposite side. Use caution: It could be heavy and awkward to lift over the opening. Then you can remove the lock or chain so one panel sits the way it was designed to (supported by the hinges).
Some companies cut all the hinges and pry the whole cover off the opening. Always let companies operating on the scene know that there are unguarded openings on the sidewalk, or station a firefighter near them for safety.
Another method to use on older installations that show signs of deterioration between the sidewalk and the hatch covers is to go around the outside of the frame and smack the concrete with the ax, halligan, or maul; this loosens, separates, or creates a purchase point between the sidewalk and the frame. Next, place the halligan’s adz in the gaps and pry upward in a few places. It may take two halligans in a few places to release the frame from the attachment points set in the sidewalk.
When we finished, the chief noticed the chains on the handles and said, “Nice job, Houdini,” as we headed into the basement.
For related video, go to http://bcove.me/pjrz0iat
MICHAEL N. CIAMPO is a 29-year veteran of the fire service and a lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York. Previously, he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is the lead instructor for the FDIC Truck Essentials H.O.T. program. He wrote the Ladder chapter and co-authored the Ventilation chapter for Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II (Fire Engineering, 2009) and is featured in “Training Minutes” truck company videos on www.FireEngineering.com.
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