Which strategies are used to control a compartment fire?

• A. Opening doors to create cross-ventilation
• B. Directing all personnel to the exterior
• C. Confinement, ventilation management, and boundary control
• D. Ignoring compartment boundaries and proceeding

Answer: (C)

Controlling a compartment fire relies on three coordinated tactics: confinement to keep the fire within its space; ventilation management to regulate air flow and smoke movement so you don’t feed the fire or trap people; and boundary control to secure doors and openings, slow spread, and protect exposures. Opening doors to create cross-ventilation can unintentionally feed the fire by bringing in more oxygen and pushing hot gases into other areas, making conditions worse. Directing all personnel to the exterior is a safety action, not a fire-control technique. Ignoring compartment boundaries and proceeding ignores containment, allowing the fire and smoke to spread rapidly and endangering occupants and crews. So confinement, ventilation management, and boundary control is the integrated approach.