Forcible Entry
Complete List of Terms
Adz
A tapered blade on a forcible entry tool, used for prying.
Astragal
A molding that covers the narrow opening between adjacent double doors in the closed position.
Auxiliary Deadbolt
A deadbolt bored lock. Synonymous with Tubular Deadbolt.
Auxiliary Lock
A lock added to a door to increase security.
Awning Window
A type of swinging window that is hinged at the top and swings outward, often having two or more sections.
Backdraft
An explosion caused by an extremely rapid ignition and burning of heated gases within a confined area, usually after a sudden in-rush of air, as when a door is opened.
Backplate
The plate used with a rim lock to secure the lock cylinder to the door.
Balloon-Frame Construction
A type of wood-frame construction in which interior studs are continuous from the foundation to the roof.
Battering
The act of creating an opening in a building component by striking and breaking it with a tool, such as a sledge or ram.
Bored Lock
A lock installed within right-angle holes bored in a door. Synonymous with Cylindrical Lock.
Box Lock
A lock mortised into a door. Synonymous with Mortise Lock.
Brace Lock
A rim lock equipped with a metal rod that serves as a brace against the door.
Breach
To break through, usually with the use of tools, a barrier such as a wall.
Cam
The part of a mortise lock cylinder that moves the bolt or latch as the key is turned.
Case
The housing for any locking mechanism.
Casement Window
A type of swinging window that is hinged on the side and swings outward.
Curtain Door
A door used as a barrier to fire, consisting of interlocking steel plates or of a continuous formed spring steel "curtain".
Curtain Wall
An exterior non-load-bearing wall.
Cylinder
The component of a locking mechanism that contains coded information for operating that lock, usually with a key.
Cylinder Guard
A metal plate that covers a lock cylinder to prevent forceful removal.
Cylinder Plug
The part of a lock cylinder that receives the key. Synonymous with Key Plug.
Cylinder Shell
The external case of a lock cylinder.
Cylindrical Lock
A lock having the lock cylinder contained in the lock. Synonymous with Bored Lock.
Dead Latch
A sliding pin or plunger that operates as part of a dead locking latch bolt. Synonymous with Anti-Shim Device.
Deadbolt
The moveable part of a deadbolt lock that extends from the lock into the door frame to secure the lock in a locked position.
Detention Window
A window designed to prevent exit by the occupants through a window opening.
Drop Bar
A metal or wooden bar that serves as a locking device when placed into brackets across an in-swinging door.
Exit Device
A locking assembly designed for panic exiting that unlocks from the inside when a release mechanism is pushed. Synonymous with Panic Hardware.
Fire Door
A door, usually of metal, made to resist the passage of fire through an opening.
Fire Stop
Solid material, such as wood block, placed within a wall void to retard or prevent the spread of fire through the void.
Fire Wall
A wall designed to withstand severe fire exposure and act as an absolute barrier against the spread of fire.
Fixed Window
A window that is set in a fixed or immovable position and cannot be opened for ventilation.
Flashover
The condition of fire in an enclosed space in which the entire atmosphere within the space becomes so hot that it suddenly becomes totally engulfed in flame.
Flush Bolt
A locking bolt that is installed flush within a door.
Folding Door
A door that opens and closes by folding.
Force
To break open, into, or through.
Forcible Entry
The techniques used to get into buildings or other areas of confinement when normal means of entry are locked or blocked.
Frame
The part of an opening that is constructed to support the component that closes and secures the opening, such as a door or window. Synonymous with Jamb.
Fulcrum
The support or point of support on which a lever turns in raising or moving an object.
Glass Door
A door consisting primarily of glass, usually set in a metal frame.
Glazing
The part of a window that allows light to pass; the glass or thermoplastic panel in a window.
Handtool
A tool that is manipulated and powered by human force.
Hasp
A fastening device consisting of a loop eye or staple and a slotted hinge or bar.
Hinged Door
A door that opens and closes by swinging from one side of its opening. Synonymous with Swinging Door.
Hopper Window
A type of swinging window that is hinged at the bottom and swings inward.
In-Swinging Door
A door that swings away from someone who stands on the outside of the opening.
Jalousie Window
A type of swinging window, usually with small louvered glass sections that open and close by turning a crank.
Jamb
The part of an opening that is constructed to support the component that closes and secures the opening, such as a door or window. Synonymous with Frame.
Jimmy
To pry apart, usually to separate the door from its frame to allow the latch or bolt to clear its strike.
Jimmy-Resistant Lock
An auxiliary lock having a bolt that interlocks with its strike and thus resists prying. Synonymous with Vertical Deadbolt and Interlocking Deadbolt.
Kalamein Door
A door with a metal exterior; may be flush-type or panel-type. Synonymous with Metal Clad Door.
Key Box
A box-like container that contains keys to a building, usually mounted on or in the front wall which requires a master key to open.
Key Plug
The part of the lock cylinder that receives the key. Synonymous with Cylinder Plug.
Key Tool
A tool for manipulating an exposed lock mechanism so that the latch or deadbolt is retracted from its strike.
Key-In-Knob Lock
A lock in which the lock cylinder is within the knob.
Keyway
The opening in a cylinder plug that receives the key.
Laminated Glass
Glass made of layers of glazing bonded to sheets of plastic. Synonymous with Safety Glass.
Latch
The spring-loaded part of the locking mechanism that extends into the strike within a door frame.
Latch Bolt
A latch with a shim or plunger that causes the latch to operate in a manner similar to a deadbolt.
Ledge Door
A door constructed of individual boards, joined within a frame; also called batten door.
Lever
A device consisting of a bar turning about a fixed point (fulcrum), using power of force applied at a second point to lift or sustain and object at a third point.
Leverage
The action or mechanical power of a lever.
Load-Bearing Wall
A wall that is used for structural support.
Lock Mechanism
The moving parts of a lock, which include the latch or bolt, lock cylinder, and articulating components.
Loiding
The method of slipping or shimming a spring latch from its strike with a piece of celluloid (credit card).
Mechanical Advantage
A gain in force when levering by moving the fulcrum closer to the object.
Metal-Clad Door
A door with a metal exterior; may be flush-type or panel-type. Synonymous with Kalamein Door.
Mortise
A notch, hole, or space cut into a door to receive the lock case, which contains the lock mechanism.
Mortise Cylinder
A lock cylinder for a mortise lock.
Mortise Lock
A lock mortised into a door. Synonymous with Box Lock.
Night Latch
A button on a rim lock that prevents retracting the latch from the outside.
Out-Swinging Door
A door that swings toward someone who stands on the outside of the opening.
Overhead Door
A door that opens and closes above a large opening; may be of the rolling, hinged panel, or slab type.
Padlock
A detachable, portable lock with a hinged or sliding shackle.
Panel Door
A door inset with panels, which are usually of wood, metal, glass, or plastic.
Panic Hardware
A locking assembly designed for panic exiting that unlocks from the inside when a release mechanism is pushed. Synonymous with Exit Device.
Parapet
A low wall, usually at the edge of a roof, that extends above the roof line; often an extension of a fire wall, designed to prevent the spread of fire above the roof line.
Patio Door
A sliding glass door, commonly placed in an opening that accesses the rear of a residence.
Pivoting Deadbolt
A lock having a deadbolt that pivots 90 degrees, designed to fit a narrow-stiled door.
Plate Glass
Ground and polished, clear sheet glass; also called Float Glass.
Platform-Frame Construction
A type of wood-frame construction in which exterior studs run from the floor to the ceiling of each story.
Power Tool
A tool that acquires its power from a mechanical device, such as a motor or pump.
Preassembled Lock
A lock designed to be installed as a complete unit within a door that requires no assembly. Synonymous with Unit Lock.
Prefire Plan
A report consisting of information about a building and the business(es) within the building.
Projected Window
A type of swinging window that is hinged at the top and swings either inward or outward.
Pry
To raise, move, or force with a prying tool.
Rail
A horizontal member of a window sash.
Revolving Door
A door made of three or four sections, or wings, arranged on a central point, that operates by rotating within a cylindrical housing.
Rim Cylinder
A lock cylinder for a rim lock.
Rim Lock
A type of auxiliary lock mounted on the surface of a door.
Safety Glass
Glass made of layers of glazing bonded to sheets of plastic. Synonymous with Laminated Glass.
Sash
The framework of a window, made of vertical stiles and horizontal rails, that holds the glazing.
Security Window
A window designed to prevent illegal entrance to a building through a window opening.
Shackle
The hinged part of a padlock.
Shear Line
The space between the shell and the plug of a lock cylinder obstructed by tumblers in the locked posistion.
Shove Knife
A tool for "loiding" a latch.
Skeleton Key
A key for a warded lock.
Slab Door
A door that has the appearance of being made of a single piece of wood; may be either solid-core or hollow-core.
Sliding Door
A door that opens and closes by sliding, usually on rollers, across its opening. Typical of Patio Doors.
Stem
The part of a lock cylinder that activates the bolt or latch as the key is turned. Synonymous with Tail Piece.
Stile
A vertical member of a window sash.
Strike
The metal plate mounted in the door frame that receives the latch or deadbolt.
Surface Bolt
A sliding bolt installed on the surface of a door.
Swinging Door
A door that opens and closes by swinging from one side of its opening, usually on hinges. Synonymous with Hinged Door.
Tailpiece
The part of a lock cylinder that activates the bolt or latch as the key is turned. Synonymous with Stem.
Tempered Glass
A glass made resistant to breaking by a special heating process called "tempering".
Thermoplastic Glazing
A plastic glazing made of acrylic, butyrate, or polycarbonate plastic, and known for its resistance to breakage.
Thumbturn
A part of the lock, other than the key or the knob, used to lock and unlock a door.
Tilt-Up Wall
A precast concrete wall that is raised or tipped up into postition with a crane.
Tin-Clad Door
Similar to a metal-clad door, except covered with a lighter gauge of metal.
Tubular Deadbolt
A deadbolting bored lock. Synonymous with Auxiliary Lock.
Tumbler
A pin in the tumbler-type of lock cylinder.
Unit Lock
A lock designed to be installed in a cut-out within the door without requiring assembly and reassembly of the lock. Synonymous with Preassembled Lock.
Veneer
A surface layer of attractive material laid over a base of common material.
Warded Lock
A simple type of mortise lock that requires a skeleton key to open.
Wired Glass
Sheet glass containing wire netting, which increases resistance to breakage and penetration.