Sgt. Scott Madden from Loudoun County (VA) sent in an idea he got from one of his brothers at Station 6.
The idea is to use a small spring hand clamp as a door wedge. Scott points out that the clamps work well in a number of different ways, and on various types of doors. Even though its technically not in his pocket, check out the What’s in your pockets page for pictures of the clamps in use.
18 thoughts on “Door Clamps”
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I’m not sure. Seems like it’d be a more expensive proposition for someone who doesn’t happen to have the clamps already. So far the least expensive non wedge chock I’ve see has been the cherry bomb chocks. I made 2 cherry bombs for my whole shift for around 13 bucks.
I made my door wedges out of a Doug Fur Broom Handle and some strong nails. 3 of them cost me around $0.20 and they have never failed me yet. Plus they are small and light unlike Clamps
I’ll use nails. Cheap and easy to use…
How about posting a link with pics for different styles of wedges that everyone uses?
I think the idea here is if you like it use it, if not use what works for you. Think outside the box of wooden chocks.
I have been using the Wedge-It for about two years and they are great, only down side is the cost, about $12/each. My department purchased about 30 of them and the guys took all of them in about a day. I keep 2 on the back of my helmet under the band.
http://www.wedgeit.com/
** I am not associated with these people nor do I, or anybody I know, sell them, just wanted to share a product.
Whatever works.
Have had wood chocks fall out and lock members out and us in.
Have had super maga strong chocks in the door and we had to bail out of the apartment. Were not able to close the door behind us. Got our asses kicked and the engine had its hands full pushing into the public hallway. Many different chocks to use. More ideas the better. Thanks for sharing brother.
I’v been using these for 2 years now, love them and never had a problem. they are relativly inexpensive Home Depot sells the 2″ ones for .99 cents each. Only down side is they are kinda big and can only keep 2 or 3 on you before they start getting in the way.
Great idea! Like some others have said, “whatever works for you”. Thanks for sharing, I like the idea.
I’ve been using these same style 2″ clamps for about 8 months now and love them. They are large enought to be able to handle w/ ease w/ gloves on and do an excellent job of keeping doors open (even w/ auto-closing hinges.) I have noticed though that if a hose line is advanced around the door (typically an outward opening commercial style door) that the friction of the hose can pull the door shut and pop the clamp off when these are used on the door itself. I guess this could be looked at both ways, may close the door behind (bad) you but if a fast bail out is necessary you can still close the door behind you to give you safe refuge (good.) My 2 cents.
Madden!!! Great Idea!! “If the boot fits wear it!” ….. All sorts of ways out there just find one that works best for you and do it… Keep thinkin outside the box and being productive!!!!
I like it. Just another way to skin the cat. If only one guy on the rig carried them, then you could cover all the bases. I’ve been carring something I think is being called a Wichita wedge. I saw it in one of the trade magazines. It’s just a wooden door chock with a one inch chunk sawed out of the middle(from the side). It can be used as a regular wedge or you can hang it over the hinge. It’s worked out well enough that I made a bunch from a single 2×4, and guys from other stations were coming by and swiping them out of my stash. Oh well, one for the team.
These clamps work great for clamping the rails on roll up garage style doors. There have been several incidents out there where garage doors drop down after the springs heat up and cause firefighters to be trapped. They are very cheap at home depot.
Been using the door clamps since I saw this post. Love them. Such a simple idea, and it works great. Thanks
What size clamps are these 1 or 2 inch?
Does it make a difference in getting the clamp to fit the tight space when acting as a chock for a door?
Can also be used to clamp the latch side of door so it can be somewhat closed behind you while searching a room and not locking.
Where can one buy these door clamps?
I wonder if were related lol.
Boca Raton, FL
FF/Paramedic