If a fire alarm said break glass could you kick the glass instead of using the hammer?

Question

I've heard from someone that you could kick the glass on a fire alarm in a fire instead of using a hammer. How is it that one would kick the glass instead of breaking it with the hammer even if the hammer was present? Would it take longer kicking it? Could it take a couple of good kicks for the glass to break? Also after kicking the glass do you need stand back while the glass breaks? How would you clear the remaining glass to reach the handle?

With tennis shoes how many kicks would it take for the glass to break? Should I keep kicking or put my foot down after every kick? Do I still need to use the hammer in addition to the kicking? Would I back away until the glass broke before pulling the handle?

Answer 1

How many kicks does it take to get the the center of a fire alarm?

a one...

a two...

a three...

*CRUNCH*

Three!

BTW - as long as the glass breaks, there's nothing to hold the button in... the fire alarm will trip. Sure you could kick it, hit it, elbow it, or use the HAMMER that's attached to the pull station.

Are you going for a record for crazy fire alarm questions?

Answer 2

I have never kicked one, but I certainly punched the glass out with my fist. Did not even occur to me that I was bleeding until after I was done trying to put the fire, which was already too much for the small fire extinguisher I was using.

Answer 3

Hey if you are contemplating all this I hope there isn't really a fire and waiting for answers I bet the building will burn to the ground In the heat of the moment all will be revealed I am sure! but why would you need to know this?

Answer 4

Or you can just wait and let the heat from the fire break it.

Answer 5

if you kick the glass, make sure you have your boots on.