Before opening a hot door, what should be done first?

In firefighting practice, checking for heat from the other side of a door is crucial before opening it. This step helps to determine if there is a fire or significant heat source on the other side, which could pose a danger to the person opening the door.

If the door is hot, it indicates that there may be fire on the opposite side, which can lead to a flashover if opened abruptly. By feeling the door with the back of your hand, a firefighter can assess the situation and decide on the safest course of action, such as cooling the door or ventilating before attempting to enter. Thus, checking for heat dramatically increases safety by preventing sudden exposure to flames or smoke.

The other options could lead to misunderstandings or unsafe practices. For instance, knocking on the door does not provide information about conditions inside and might alert any occupants, leading to unpredictable behavior. Cooling the door with water might be counterproductive because it can create steam and worsen visibility or conditions on the other side. Opening the door slowly, while generally a good practice once it is deemed safe, does not address the need to understand the risks present before making that motion.