DOORSTactical Diagramming

Characteristics of Doors Doors are one of only two moveable

components in a building Doors are the primary means of escape from a

building Most highly regulated of any building

component Size, shape, hardware and which way they

swing are mandated Exit system must be displayed in certain

buildings like schools, hospitals, hotels and motels

Exit system is oriented from inside to outside Field expedient “compass”

Residential Door Facts Typical three-bedroom house will have seven

to eleven interior doors Must have at least two exit doors accessible

from different parts of the house so that one fire cannot block both exits

Swinging door (hinged) most common, followed by pocket doors

Garages will have at least two doors Vehicle (7' high—9' wide for one-car, 16'

for two cars) Pedestrian (entrance to house or exit to

outside)

Residential Doors Designed to allow access

while screening visitors All residential doors are

about 80" (6'8") tall Exterior doors are nearly

all 36" (3') wide and 1-3/4" thick (solid core)

Interior doors vary between 28" and 32" and 1-3/8" thick (hollow core)

80"6'8"

Exterior 36" Interior 28-32"

Doors are “appliances” 36" door requires about

14 square feet to open 180° Hardware

Privacy Locks Passage Locks

No door may cover a light switch Light switch is nearly always near the

doorway on the wall on knob side of the doorway

Breaking a door against the jamb takes approximately 50 times the force as against the latch!

Exterior Doors—Business Part of an exit system

Must be clearly marked If occupancy load of ≥50 must:

All doors that are part of the system must swing toward the outside (Field expedient compass)

Be equipped with nonmanipulable handles(“panic locks”) Inside

Outside

36-48"

Exterior Doors—Residence All houses require two exit doors Front “entrance” door leaves (>95%=36 wide“) Most are single doors, multiple doors look for:

Peephole & Doormat—identify moving leaf Mail slot—in fixed leaf

Rear door may be hinged (~30-32"), but also French or Sliding Patio Doors

Inside

Outside

36-48"1-3/4" solid core

Exploiting “Terrain ” Interior doors swing into the

roomand against walls

Exceptions (few) are verysmall rooms such as closets

Adjust stack from hinge side Visually acquire >90% of

a typical room from thethreshold

Light switch on wall withdoor and same side asdoor handle but slightly higher

Practical Application #1You are outside of a residence. This is a door in a side of the house away from the main door. 1.Which way do you

think the door should swing?

2.What type of room might you expect upon entering?

Practical Application # 2

You are outside of a residence. This is a door in the back of the house.3. Which way do you

think the door should swing?

4. What type of room should you expect on the other side?

Practical Application #3You are outside of a residence. This is the main door.5. Which one is the live leaf and which way

does it swing?6. What type of room

should you expecton the other side?

7. What are somestrong clues?

Practical Application #4

You are inside of a residence. This is a door in a side of the house away from the maindoor. 8. Which way do you think

the door should swing?9. What should you expect

on the other side?

Practical Application #5

You are in a hallway in a large house. There is a bedroom immediatelyadjacent to this door.10.Which way do you expect

this door to swing?11.What type of room should

you expect on the otherside?

12.Where is the closestinterior wall?

Practical Application #6You are standing outside a large multi-story apartment building in an older section of a large city. This is the only door in this side of the building.13.Which way do you

think this door should swing?

14.What is likely to be on the other side?

Practical Application #7You are standing near the entrance door to one of a number of apartments. 15.Which way do

you expect the door to swing?

16.What type ofroom is most likely on the other side?

Practical Application #8You have just entered a small apartment and are in the living room. This door is on the far wall.17.Which way do you expect

this door to swing?18.What type of room

should you expect on the other side?

19.Can you turn on the lights without entering the room?

Practical Application #9

You have entered the kitchen of an older, single-story, single-family house when you see this door in the far corner.20.Which way is this door

most likely to swing?21.What should you expect

on the other side?

Practical Application #10You have entered the master bedroom from the main hallway of an older house when you see this door on the opposite wall.22.Which way do you

expect this doorto swing?

23.What type ofroom do youexpect on the other side?

Practical Application #11You are about to force entry through this door, which you suspect is a bedroom. 24.From a tactical standpoint,

on which side of the doorshould you expect to encounter the suspect?

25.How would you suggestyour entry team be formed?

BONUS QUESTIONS!What is the typical size andcomposition of the door?

QUESTIONS?