Describe two signs that a doorway is hot and how to approach it safely.

• A. Push the door open quickly to vent and enter.
• B. Open the door fully and enter immediately with no heat assessment.
• C. Door handle hot to touch and visible warmth at the door—approach cautiously, consider leaving the door closed to delay entry, use a thermal imaging camera to assess heat, and coordinate with interior teams before entering.
• D. Use a mechanical tool to pry the door open and bypass the doorway entirely.

Answer: (C)

When a doorway is hot, the priority is to avoid exposing yourself to the intense heat and potentially dangerous gases behind it. The signs described—a door handle that is hot to touch and visible warmth at the door—point to heat or flames on the other side. That combination means entering without assessing the conditions could lead to flashover, rapid smoke buildup, and severe injury.

The safest approach is to stay outside, keep the door closed to help contain the fire, and not rush through. Look for ways to assess the situation without exposing yourself—use a thermal imaging camera to visualize heat behind the door and coordinate with interior teams before any entry. This staged, information-driven plan reduces risk and allows suppression or rescue operations to proceed under controlled conditions.

Pushing the door open quickly, entering with no heat assessment, or prying the door open to bypass the doorway all ignore the hazards the signs indicate and dramatically increase the chance of harm.