Uploaded November 2017 | Updated September 2026, 51 minutes ago
This skill video demonstrates how to open aircraft doors and hatches.
Roll Up Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
4. Push door in, then up.
5. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
6. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Latched Pull-Out Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
4. Pull door outward.
5. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
6. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Plug Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
4. Push door in and aside.
5. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
6. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Hydraulic Doors
1. Approach the door.
2. Locate the hydraulic control mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
WARNING: Door will open with considerable force. If not prepared the door could hit firefighter or knock firefighter off the wing or platform causing serious injury or death.
NOTE: If the aircraft has no power, you will have to manually open the doors, pumping the hydraulic fluid with a mechanical handle. Be familiar with the location of these pumps in aircraft common to your jurisdiction OR refer to local SOPs.
4. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
5. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Hinged Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Check to see if escape slide mechanism is armed, if aircraft is so equipped. If armed, safety the slide to prevent unintentional inflation (pin the mechanism).
3. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
4. Operate the mechanism.
5. Push door inward, pivot the door, then rotate door outward.
6. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
7. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
This skill video demonstrates how to open aircraft doors and hatches.
Roll Up Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
4. Push door in, then up.
5. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
6. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Latched Pull-Out Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
4. Pull door outward.
5. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
6. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Plug Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
4. Push door in and aside.
5. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
6. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Hydraulic Doors
1. Approach the door.
2. Locate the hydraulic control mechanism.
3. Operate the mechanism.
WARNING: Door will open with considerable force. If not prepared the door could hit firefighter or knock firefighter off the wing or platform causing serious injury or death.
NOTE: If the aircraft has no power, you will have to manually open the doors, pumping the hydraulic fluid with a mechanical handle. Be familiar with the location of these pumps in aircraft common to your jurisdiction OR refer to local SOPs.
4. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
5. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
Hinged Doors
1. Approach the door from ground, ladder, or aerial platform.
2. Check to see if escape slide mechanism is armed, if aircraft is so equipped. If armed, safety the slide to prevent unintentional inflation (pin the mechanism).
3. Locate the latch/locking mechanism.
4. Operate the mechanism.
5. Push door inward, pivot the door, then rotate door outward.
6. If the door is jammed, attempt to pry door open with Halligan, pry bar, or spreaders.
7. If the lock is jammed, cut lock mechanism with power saw using a water or foam stream to suppress sparks.
