ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the ASIS International Professional Certified Investigator Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Equip yourself for success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What occurs during spalling in a fire scenario?

Mortar is damaged by heat
Brick walls are entirely consumed
Exterior paint is scorched
No damage to the structure occurs

The correct answer is: Mortar is damaged by heat

Spalling is a phenomenon that occurs when materials, such as concrete or masonry, are subjected to high temperatures during a fire. As the heat penetrates the material, it can cause moisture trapped within to vaporize. This rapid expansion of moisture can lead to cracks and fractures, causing pieces of the material—known as spalls—to break away from the surface. In the context of the choices presented, damage to mortar as a result of heat exemplifies how spalling manifests physically. The mortar may crack and chip away, compromising its structural integrity and possibly affecting the overall stability of the construction. In contrast, the other options suggest scenarios that are either exaggerated or inaccurate interpretations of spalling. While it is true that extreme fires can consume materials, brick walls typically do not burn completely, and insulting that no damage occurs contradicts the very nature of spalling as a destructive process influenced by heat exposure. Hence, focusing on spalling as a damaging event, specifically in relation to mortar, highlights the correct understanding of the phenomenon during fire scenarios.