Found these pictures of a hidden dead bolt. Have anyone of you guys ever ran across one of these?







Brian Stokke
Gig Harbor Fire

Wow, looks like a job for the old double barrel halligan. This presents and interesting tactical determination. If the structure is vacant, than clearly it's most likely a non-issue (unless not the primary means of in/egress). If it is the primary means, and both locks are activated, it is pretty safe to assume you're looking at an occupied structure. Fork between the two is what I'd try.

_________________
Bryan Martin
THE 16 TRUCK

"Let no man's ghost return to say his training let him down"

"This must be the place!"

Martin,


I'd imagine you wouldn't even know the second deadbolt lock (upper) is there until it's too late. Most likely, you'd figure it out after causing damage to the jamb. I'd be curious, though, to feel how solid that second deadbolt lock is.

Where does the upper bolt get its integrity? You'd think that the keyway being screwed around the bolt and into the thumb turn is what gives the lower deadbolt most of its strength...along with the material the door is made, of course. The door in the picture looks like a small gauge metal covered door found in most homes. Not sure how strong that second deadbolt really is.

_________________
- Rev. Robbie Fisher

"Those without information in this business get themselves or others injured and killed. Modern firefighting is not a game for those who 'dabble' in the field." - Deputy Chief Anthony Avillo

Great point Rob, I hadn't even thought of that. Without the sandwich or the door being built specifically for a one sided lock (which this doesn't appear to be) it would probably fail fairly easy.

Assuming the place is on fire...

On size-up the locks are close enough together that you may or may not notice the upper bolt upon shocking. I would attack this door right between the visible exterior locks conventionally. My guess is that upon the initial force with the forks I would run out of throw and have to switch ends to finish it off due to door flex and my distance from the upper bolt. Who knows, may even have to reposition the tool once the upper bolt is recognized but I kind of doubt it for reasons the Reverend pointed out.

Great pics!

_________________
"Safety in regards to decision making is primarily about knowledge. When you have sufficient knowledge, your ability to make safer decisions is enhanced."

Ray McCormack

Hey guys, you may have already seen this... but if not here is something you may want to consider when looking to force a wood frame, inward swinging door. Go to You Tube and type in BFD Forcible Entry: 1 Baseball Bat technique. This will bring up the video illustrating the technique. The best thing about this technique is that, if done properly, it will completely fracture the wood door jam. This means that it doesn't matter how many "hidden locks" there are. I believe it is a very useful tool to keep up in the tool box. Check it out and see if it would work for you.

_________________
FTM, PTB, DTRT, EGH, RFB, KTF
St. 71 NWFR