An exhauster releases air where?

• A. Into the building's interior.
• B. The outside.
• C. Into the chimney.
• D. Into the basement.

Answer: (B)

An exhauster’s job is to move air out of a space and discharge it outdoors. This outdoors discharge prevents contaminated air from recirculating inside the building, which protects occupants and responders from smoke and heat and helps control the fire environment. Releasing into the interior would push smoke and pollutants back into rooms and corridors. Releasing into a chimney could cause backflow or interference with venting systems, potentially sending smoke back into the building. Releasing into a basement would still contaminate lower areas without effectively removing air from the upper spaces. For safety and effective ventilation, the air should be exhausted to the outside.