What is an indication of secondary damage?

• A. A local leak
• B. A sudden noise
• C. Progressive flooding in another joining compartment
• D. A pressure spike

Answer: (C)

Secondary damage shows up when flooding moves beyond the initial area into a joining compartment. If water is found in another space, it means the breach and floodpath aren’t contained and the damage is spreading. That signals you must act quickly to stop the spread—close watertight joints, isolate the affected space from others, and start pumping to keep from filling more compartments. A local leak stays in one spot, a sudden noise can be a variety of issues, and a pressure spike can have multiple causes; none of these by itself confirms that flooding has progressed to additional spaces.