Closet Roll-Up

www.vententersearch.com

Here is another interesting place to find a roll-up door. Lieutenant Brice Reynolds from Augusta (GA) Aerial Truck 1 sent in this picture (taken by Sergeant Bobby Fleming) of something they ran into during a smoke removal operation after a cooking fire in an apartment building. This bedroom closet had a storage building style roll-up door complete with slide type padlock assembly. The occupant stated the roll-up was present when she rented the apartment, and the building owner stated that it could used to keep roommates from disturbing personal items. (Perhaps re-reevaluating your choice in roommates would be in order if you felt this was necessary…)

It’s another example of something unexpected we may come across during the primary search. The fact that this is present (and behind an outward swinging door) should be enough to justify passing it and not searching it during the primary. An announcement of its presence may be appropriate on the radio (depending on department procedures,) and special consideration of checking the area during the secondary should be in order.

23 thoughts on “Closet Roll-Up

  1. Ryan says:

    Going to disagree with not searching it on the primary, sure, we can assume it’s just a closet. But, you never know where you could find someone. Especially a child who could have started the fire. If it’s locked, then yeah..we can bypass it until the secondary is underway, or open it up if overhaul is necessary. Should be a really easy force with irons.

  2. Mike says:

    A big +1 to searching during primary, if unlocked. Or at least having a quick look. You have no idea who or what is behind that. Closet yeah… or illegal subdivision, commercial space, 5,000 rounds of ammo, clan lab… just use usual methods to make damn sure it’s not going to close behind you! It’s unusual enough for me to feel I want to know just what the heck we’re dealing with even at primary.

  3. squad 1 says:

    Seems like something that would be found in an S R O. Always be on your toes.

    stay safe!

  4. Ryan says:

    Yeah, it doesn’t look too large, and with a quality TIC, you shouldn’t even need to enter the room.

  5. Bill says:

    That’s nuts whats next roll up doors in every room of the house ?

  6. DMAN72 says:

    That oughtta keep out those pesky kids who alledgedly hide in closets during fires.

  7. Capt 5 says:

    I am always amazed at some of the finds posted on here. I would never think of finding this in a residential setting. I would have to open it on the primary just to see what is inside.

  8. LAD288 says:

    DMAN – It may keep the kids out. But do you know what it won’t keep out?? Those pesky donkeys that like to go around and kick stuff.

  9. Bulldawg2299 says:

    I have the same set up in my house…..it’s where I store my rubber gloves

  10. Shakey says:

    I am not sure exactly how this type of set up would be locked but dose anyone have any ideas on how to force this. In the first post the Irons were brought up but how would you go about using them?

  11. DMAN72 says:

    Im gonna totally disagree with checking it on a primary, especially if it’s locked from the outside. As far as forcing anything, looks like drywall beside it. Punch a head sized hole beside it and look in.

  12. Ryan says:

    DMAN, as I said in my first post, I would only check it if unlocked.

    Shakey, this is probably secured with a a simple slide lock, meaning it’s just a piece of metal that slides into a small opening in the track, and then it’s all locked with a padlock.

  13. Brandon Roark says:

    My Shakespearian/DesCartes philosophical thoughts of the day:

    To search or not to search, That is the question…

    I search there for I am….thats my answer

    Without searching, nothing can be gained…

    AHHH! Now my head hurts! Time for a “Truckie Nap”.

  14. DMAN72 says:

    Guess I didn’t read those close enough, Ryan. But, after all, I am a fireman. I jump to conclusions and think I know it all and give no one else the benefit that their differing opinion might be a good idea or probable solution.

  15. Ryan says:

    DMAN-it’s all good. If my feelings got hurt that easy
    I’m in the wrong business..haha.

  16. squad 1 says:

    as far as forcible entry goes. The door is probably a light weight wood, metal or even plastic so attacking the locking mechanism is the best way to go. It can be either pryed free of the door or right out of the door jamb for easy access.

  17. Steven Belsky says:

    as a NON EMERGENCY personnel (CIVILIAN) I would take these actions:

    LOCKED

    1. YELL to see if anyone answers.

    2. USE other equipment (IS THERE ANY) (wall penetrating radar) ground penetrating radar used vertically

    QUESTION

    COULD BLASTING CAPS OR AMMO BE SET OFF BY THE RADAR SCAN???

    ASAP SEE Mike August 3rd, 2010 1:37 pm

    UNLOCKED

    1. OPEN

    2. YELL

    3. QUICK SCAN Hazardous _not Hazardous __ NOT SURE

    4. FULL SEARCH

  18. Ryan says:

    Steven Belsky, if you are a civilian…

    1. Why are you here, not taht I care, just seems odd to be on a trade specific site.

    2. Ground or wall penetrating radar? WTF..

    3. COULD BLASTING CAPS OR AMMO BE SET OFF BY THE RADAR SCAN??? What? Why are you even asking this.

    Do you have any concept of what we even do?

  19. firedawg462 says:

    IF THIS WAS A FULLY INVOLVED STRUC.YOU SHOULD CHECK QUICKLY ON PRIMARY,THEREFORE IF THIS DOOR WAS PADLOCKED,I WOULD YELL TO SEE IF I HEARD ANYTHING COMING FROM THIS CLOST OR ROOM(BC ITS DARK OBVIOUSLY UNLESS WE GO IN IT WE DONT KNOW WHAT TYPE OF ROOM IT IS)IF I HEARD NOTHING ITS TIME TO MOVE ON WITH MY WALL SEARCH.SPENDING UNNECCESSARY TIME ON THIS AREA WITHOUT CAUSE COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE IN LIFE OR DEATH FOR A VICTIM ELSEWHERE IN THE STRUCTURE.

  20. Truckie 32 says:

    Ryan you are one funny guy…..

    BLASTING CAPS?? RADAR SCAN??

    Is this guy some type of Fire/police Explorer…..

    Why don’t you just call up Andy and Barney while your at it Mr. Belsky???

  21. ColemanMargaret23 says:

    Don’t have a lot of money to buy a building? Worry not, just because that’s available to get the personal loans to resolve such problems. Therefore take a car loan to buy all you want.

Leave a Reply