How should you approach debris removal during overhaul to prevent rekindling?

• A. Remove debris carefully, cool hot spots, and avoid scattering embers; use controlled removal and water as needed.
• B. Jettison debris into the street.
• C. Move debris while it is hot and leave embers to burn out.
• D. Use metal grinding to eliminate debris.

Answer: (A)

During overhaul, the goal is to prevent rekindling by handling debris in a controlled, cooling-driven way. Debris can hide embers or smoldering material in cracks, voids, and beneath surfaces; if you move or discard it without cooling, those hot spots can reignite once air flows back in. The safest approach is to remove debris purposefully, pausing to cool hot spots with water as needed and directing debris and water so embers aren’t spread into still-unsafe areas. This combination—careful removal plus cooling—reduces temperatures, quells hidden embers, and minimizes oxygen where rekindling could occur.

Other options fail because they spread or ignore heat sources: jettisoning debris into the street can scatter embers beyond the controlled area; moving debris while it’s hot and leaving embers to burn out invites rekindling; and using metal grinding creates sparks that can ignite hidden embers or fuels.