Chocking Doors with Nails

[redepidermis345]

Hey All,

I am going over the many ways to keep a door open either with initial line advancement or search and rescue. But I came across someone who used a nail to keep a door open. Can someone elaborate this technique. It was very interesting

Dennis

[martinj]

The nail technique isn't very complex. Basically you use a nail, putting the head end against the jamb and the point end towards the edge of the door. Push the door back against the nail til it sticks. I know there are a few opinions on the size of nail used. You'd have to ask some others on their size/type preference.

Stay safe.

[Adze39]

I believe the technique (someone correct me if I am wrong) is to place the nail in the wooden door frame or door, then close the door a little to drive hte nail (not too far) into the wood. This way, the remaining part of the nail that sticks out keeps the door from closing all the way.

[Adze39]

I guess Good Ol' Martin beat me to the answer! LOL

[RescuHoppy7]

Yes Adze and martinj you are correct, the point of the trick to use the remaining portion of the nail that sticks out to hold the door open, I personally prefer this method, I use construction nails and have them on my helmet and in my coat

[4bugles]

I use nails too, you can also use them on metal doors by wedging the point into the screw head of the hinge plate, however, as soon as someone bumps into the door, the screw will fall out and the door will shut.

I carry a variety of nails, mostly 8 and 10 penny's but I also keep smaller ones for those occasions when the bigger one's don't work, or when I want to keep a window frame from closing. I keep them in a peice of old rubber from a helmet band that broke. Poke them through in a weave pattern a couple of times and it will hold them nicely.

I have also seen people that drill holes into their wedges and keep the nails in there.

[sheriff101]

see the Hook-Check for your nail solution. It only weighs 1.5 ounce and is easy to use with heavy work gloves. Have you ever tried to pick up a nail with heavy work gloves on?? This door stop is a great solution!!

check it out...

www.hook-check.com

Good luck and be safe!!

[CALFFBOU]

Best $10 I ever spent...

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/category.cfm?cid=456

[blancety]

I keep a rubber band with about 10 or so of the fluted masonry nails in my coat pocket. Not too hard to grab and they work fine. Its another tools in the drawer, nice thing is you can carry a boatload of em in a small package, vs hooks or chocks...

Dave

Eyes open and mouth closed...one of the best ways to learn

[Lewiston2FF]

I carry fluted masonry nails like Dave, but mine are in an Altoids tin in my pocket. It keeps 'em all in one place and I can open it with my gloves on one handed.

[IrishLad]

I just rip the door off!! Out of sight out of mind! Just kidding. I have never heard of the nail trick and it is good to hear of new techniques.

I do have a question though? How does the door close when you have a hose line running through the thresh hold. Not trying to be a smartass, just never had a problem with a door closing after making a hoseline advance. I welcome constructive criticism, after all that is how we better ourselves.

Be safe out there

[Adze39]

Originally posted by IrishLad
I just rip the door off!! Out of sight out of mind! Just kidding. I have never heard of the nail trick and it is good to hear of new techniques.

I do have a question though? How does the door close when you have a hose line running through the thresh hold. Not trying to be a smartass, just never had a problem with a door closing after making a hoseline advance. I welcome constructive criticism, after all that is how we better ourselves.

Be safe out there

If you are advancing an uncharged hoseline, it is very easy for the door to close on top of the hose. Not only is the door closed, but when you need the line charged it is crimped.

[Smokeetr4]

I have used fluted 10d nails exclusivly since my buddy in FDNY engine 94 turned me on to them years ago. They really do the job and the beauty of them is, unlike the fancy chocks you can buy, if you forget about them or leave them in the door, who cares? they're cheap and easy to replace. To answer another question posed here, yes, a door can be pulled closed, or almost closed , on a charged hoseline with deadly consequences. When the line is advanced through the door the line grabs the edge of the door, as the line is pulled forward the door acts like a wedge on the line pinching it between the door and the jamb. This prevents the line from being advanced to the seat of the fire among other disasterous actions. Bottom line here is if your the lead line, CHOCK THE DOOR.

[hwoods]

I use 10d nails also, have for years, they work well for doors and windows. I also carry a couple of doorknob rubbers to prevent doors from locking if the nail or wedge falls out. A doorknob rubber is a piece of Inner Tube rubber about 3 inches wide by 10 inches long, with a two inch hole near each end. pull one end over the doorknob, (knob will be sticking out thru the hole)wrap around the latch, and pull the other end over the other knob. Even if the door closes, it won't lock. BTW, Am I the only one to notice Sheriff101 posted here too? Stay Safe....

[Adze39]

Originally posted by hwoods
I use 10d nails also, have for years, they work well for doors and windows. I also carry a couple of doorknob rubbers to prevent doors from locking if the nail or wedge falls out. A doorknob rubber is a piece of Inner Tube rubber about 3 inches wide by 10 inches long, with a two inch hole near each end. pull one end over the doorknob, (knob will be sticking out thru the hole)wrap around the latch, and pull the other end over the other knob. Even if the door closes, it won't lock. BTW, Am I the only one to notice Sheriff101 posted here too? Stay Safe....

I saw the doorknob rubbers you were talking about a few years back. I was actually thinking a few weeks ago of finding an inner tube and making some.

As far as the Sheriff goes, I think we just did a good job of ignoring him and staying pretty much on topic of nails.


For those who carry nails, some have already said and others have not, how do you carry the nails on/in your gear. For example, RescuHoppy7 said he carries them on his helmet and coat...how do you store them on your helmet and coat?

[blancety]

In a pocket wrapped in a rubber band, or on my helmet held by an innertube....