Michael Riley from St. Augustine (FL) Fire sent these photos of something interesting he found. Each of these windows had a homemade security device on them… On the inside. The bars are made from 5/8 and 3/4 rebar (some windows have different sizes.) The building owner actually painted most of the bars white to match the blinds behind them. This makes the bars somewhat difficult to find at first glance. Since the bars are on the inside, they may go totally un-noticed if the building was changed with smoke. The bars are imbedded into the window frame on each side. from these pictures it’s tough to know exactly how deep the bars are embedded, but they present a problem none the less.
On a related note, something should be mentioned on the radio to all units when bars are found on the structure. This could be done by the first arriving officer performing a 360, the Outside Truck team, or anyone else who may be first to run across them. Regardless of who transmits it, it’s an important piece of information that should be shared.
21 thoughts on “Rebar Security”
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A good swift and well placed Donkey Kick should do the trick here….
I was gonna suggest that. Or a karate chop (with a gloved hand of course).
Chuck Norris laughs at this post.
How deep do you think these bars could be placed? Even if they are sunk the entire way through the window frame, it would not take much to remove them.
Yes, a hinderance. Great catch, something you need to know about. I seriously doubt that they would stand much a chance against a determined outside vent man. Or an engine dude trying to bail out a window.
These are simply placed into the wood frame by the looks of it. I don’t think it’s going to take much to defeat this. If all else fails, call for the partner saw. But again, if this is on the outside, what else can be hiding on the inside?
I agree that it PROBABLY won’t take much. The real issue is recognizing that these are there before it’s too late.
A good OVM will notice these while doing a 360 and relay the information to the IC. It may not be obvious in smoke conditions but if you look it won’t be that hard to see these bars.
Taking them out means taking the window out. Might affect your venting ops depending on where and how you are venting….something to think about.
Also…..sure these are glass….and not Lexan?
Those would definitely suck if you are trying to bail out. Because if you are having to bail, the shit has already hit the fan and you need to be out now. You would have to be standing up in the heat for a lot longer than normal having to wrestle with those bitches, wheras normally you just bust and bail.
These windows and window bars should be out before something goes wrong. You shouldn’t be waiting for something to happen before you take these bars out. When the window goes, the bars go, and everything else inside that space goes. Make every window a door.
Like DMAN72 said:
“The real issue is recognizing that these are there before it’s too late.”
As I have said before in my dept an “urgent urgent” may be announced to draw attention to this dangerous feature..
Being that re-bar does not bend it should be assumed that this is an ensert. Meaning it is a Pre-measured wood frame with bar inserted then the whole rig is fit in place. Many ways to “take” them. K-12, Lobster Tool, and maybe just beating the Sh*& out of each bar could also work. Regardless, I believe that the awareness factor and informing the brothers operating inside is paramount. Knowing before hand keeps us with the upper hand. Good stuff. Keep sharing brothers.
Just think this way, this house is in Florida, wood does not do well in a damp environment filled with crack heads and cops 🙂 I would make sure this is not a block house before you go ASSuming it is a wood frame and it will be a quick shot with the maul. Another case of knowing building construction.
My company had fire in a single family residence and I was doing my outside walkaround of the house the front of the house was going good I forced a rear door for the engine to have a 2nd way out and vented a window and I noticed the burgular bars and I knew the fire wasnt in the room that was barred so I did nothing about it. Once the fire was knocked down the boss got onto me and it was a good learning experience, from now on if its a good working fire and there’s question I’ll take them out unless venting could spread the fire.
Looking for some help on what a Lobster Tool is. Its a new one to me. If anyone can send me anything on it I would be greatful. Thanks again for all the great posts and feedback…I always learn something everytime I come here.
http://fascut.com/Handheld_bar_cutters.htm
This is rather simple to make and just as simple to defeat (hopefully). We actually build this as a training prop at our station from time to time.
To make this, determine the length or height of the wood, determine the length and spacing for the bars and pre-drill the holes in the wood. Then slide the wood over the bars, place the whole assembly in the window frame and screw it in.
Provided the homeowner doesn’t use lag bolts or some other form of heavy duty fasteners this may come out as one big piece after a few good hits with the right tool or by prying the wood away with the haligan.
To PFD023 thanks brother. I have seen that tool before but had no idea what it was called. Thanks again and stay safe my friend!
RT158;
That is what I was saying. Thank you for simplifying it.
However, according to some Florida does not use wood.
I live north of there and Florida to me is going to Disney and Seaworld. Any “floridians” about?
Most homes in Florida, at least in my area, are concrete block or concrete wall. Not going to be easy to get the bars out. But if the owner has done this what else has he done?
Here in St.Augustine, most of the homes/buildings are VERY old (Nations Oldest City). Being that old, most are wood. The newer(?) construction, say 1950’s and newer, are block, or a combo of block and wood. In the downtown, or Historic District, we have buildings dating 200 years old that are still occupied. This building is a Dr.s office, block construction. The bars were made in a wood frame of 2x6s and the frame inserted into the opening. It is anchored by wood screws and nails. It has a drop ceiling, normal exterior and interior doors. Deadbolt locks on the exterior, and no alarm or sprinkler system. There are no other “surprises” that we are aware of (like I havn’t said that before).
Stay Ssafe
riley
Nice post Mike. Just another point proven of paying attention to your area.
One person mentioned above about seeing them on the walk around- add some smoke to the window, and interior bars like that can be obscured.
Take care and stay safe-