Which condition can occur in below-grade locations during fires?

When discussing below-grade locations during fires, oxygen deficiency is a critical condition that can occur. These areas, such as basements or underground parking structures, often have limited ventilation, which can lead to a rapid depletion of oxygen as the fire consumes it and produces smoke and other combustion gases. The lack of fresh air flow exacerbates this problem, allowing the situation to become perilous very quickly.

In such confined spaces, the production of smoke and toxic gases can further reduce air quality, complicating the breathing environment. Firefighters and rescuers must be particularly cautious in below-grade locations because of these risks associated with low oxygen levels, which can lead to disorientation, unconsciousness, or worse in victims trapped in these environments.

While heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation, and structural collapse are serious concerns in fire situations, they do not specifically address the unique hazards that are associated with below-grade environments. Heat exhaustion tends to be more related to prolonged exposure to high temperatures rather than the specific conditions of enclosed spaces. Smoke inhalation is certainly a risk, but it stems from the combustion products present rather than the structural confines themselves. Structural collapse is a possibility, but it can occur in various types of settings, not exclusively in below-grade locations. Hence, oxygen