What should exit monitors do before allowing occupants to exit?

Before allowing occupants to exit, exit monitors are trained to test exit doors for heat. This is crucial because a fire can create dangerous conditions that might not be immediately visible. Checking for heat helps ensure that the exit pathway is safe for occupants. If an exit door is warm, it may indicate that fire or smoke is present beyond the door, signaling that it is unsafe to use that particular exit. This precaution helps prevent individuals from inadvertently entering a hazardous environment and ensures that their escape route remains clear.

While the other options may seem relevant to overall safety in a high-rise situation, they do not specifically address the immediate risk associated with using exit doors during a fire emergency. For instance, checking lights for functionality or assessing exit doors for water damage can contribute to overall safety, but they do not directly mitigate the critical danger posed by potential fire exposure at exit points. Acknowledging the heat of the door provides a more focused safety measure in the context of a fire evacuation.