A severe fire breaks out in a crowded shopping mall due to a short circuit. Why is it advised to crawl close…

A severe fire breaks out in a crowded shopping mall due to a short circuit. Why is it advised to crawl close to the floor rather than walk upright while escaping through the smoke?
  1. Smoke and hot poisonous gases rise upwards, leaving cleaner cooler air near the floor
  2. Crawling helps you move much faster than running
  3. The floor is completely fireproof and will not catch fire
  4. Smoke only affects the eyes if a person is standing upright

Solution

Hot smoke and dangerous toxic gases are lighter than air and rise towards the ceiling, so the air near the floor remains cooler and safer to breathe.

Asked in: Homi Bhabha Practice

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