What should be done with nonessential portable electrical devices during a fire?

• A. Power down and safely isolate or remove them if it's safe to do so per SOP
• B. Keep them on to monitor passengers
• C. Use them to signal others
• D. Hide them to avoid attention

Answer: (A)

During a fire, reducing potential ignition sources and keeping crew focused on safe evacuation is the priority. Nonessential portable electrical devices should be powered down and safely isolated or removed if it’s safe to do so per SOP. This minimizes the risk from battery fires, overheated components, or cables that could worsen the smoke and heat conditions, and it frees space and attention for firefighting and evacuation tasks. Essential equipment that’s needed for communication or safety stays powered as required.

Keeping devices on to monitor passengers can add unnecessary heat and alternate power loads, which is riskier in a fire. Using devices to signal others or hiding them to avoid attention don’t address the immediate fire hazards and can hinder safety actions.