Forcible entry tools can be grouped primarily into which category?

Forcible entry tools are primarily grouped into categories based on the methods and mechanics they employ to gain access to locked or secured areas. One of the main categories is striking tools, which are specifically designed to deliver impactful force to break through barriers like doors, windows, or locks.

Striking tools, such as sledgehammers or flat-head axes, rely on kinetic energy generated from a strong swing to overcome the resistance of the material being breached. This method is effective for creating openings quickly in emergency situations where time is critical. The design of these tools facilitates the application of force directly to the target, allowing firefighters to gain access efficiently.

While pulling, prying, and cutting also play essential roles in forcible entry, they represent different techniques and tools that serve specific purposes rather than being the primary method of forcibly gaining entry. Pulling tools may focus on removing components that obstruct access, prying tools exert leverage to open doors or hatches, and cutting tools are employed when material needs to be severed. Striking tools, however, are fundamental in the immediate process of creating entry points through blunt force.