After completing your route of investigation, what is the next step?

• A. Document findings and retreat
• B. Start opening dogs on hinge side first, starting at the bottom and working your way to the top.
• C. Ventilate the area
• D. Notify supervisor

Answer: (B)

When you finish the route of investigation, you move to the next compartment to continue your search and assessment. Opening doors in a controlled sequence is essential here: start with the doors on the hinge side and work from the bottom up. This makes the door easier to control as it begins to open, helps prevent a sudden slam or swing that could trap you or push heat and smoke into your face, and lets you observe what’s behind the door step by step as you go. By handling the door from bottom to top, you maintain safer, steadier access to the next area so you can identify fire, heat, or hazards and keep advancing your investigation. Ventilation, notifying supervision, or documenting findings are important steps, but they come after you’ve safely opened and checked the next space.