USCG Exam PracticeFirefighting, damage control, and emergency response
According to the recommended emergency instructions format, what action should be taken regarding the ventilation system when a fire is discovered aboard?
- A. Increase ventilation to clear smoke from the affected compartment
- ✓ Shut off the ventilation system and close hatches, ports, doors, ventilators, and louvers to cut off air supplyCorrect
- C. Redirect ventilation airflow toward the fire to push smoke overboard
- D. Maintain normal ventilation to prevent heat buildup in adjacent compartments
Why B is correct
Cutting off the air supply starves the fire of oxygen. The recommended emergency instructions direct crew to close hatches, ports, doors, ventilators, and louvers and to shut off the ventilation system as the first step in fire response.
Cited:46 CFR §185.512