It is common for an inspection of a structure to begin at the:

• A. Exterior
• B. Interior
• C. Highest level downward
• D. Lowest level upward

Answer: (A)

Beginning an inspection on the exterior lets you quickly assess the building from a safe vantage point and gather essential, non-entry information. From outside you can note signs of fire spread on walls or roof, exterior damage, the location of doors and windows, roof conditions, and any smoke or heat pushing indicators. You also identify safe access points, egress routes, nearby hazards, and the overall construction type, which helps you plan a safer interior approach. Moving inside too soon can expose you to unknown hazards, while the other options describe interior-focused or vertical-first approaches that aren’t the standard starting point for a general structure inspection.