You are in compartment "A", shown in the illustration, and suspect a fire in compartment "B". In order to check for and confirm the fire in compartment "B" you should __________. Illustration SF-0005

Correct Answer: Option A — feel the bulkhead

Feeling a bulkhead is a primary method for detecting fire in an adjacent space. Heat transfer through steel is rapid; a hot bulkhead indicates a fire on the other side. This allows for immediate assessment without the risk of introducing oxygen to a potential fire by opening doors.