Question 275 Deck General

The correct answer is B) Coal should be surface ventilated only. The key reason is that bulk coal cargoes need to be ventilated to prevent the buildup of methane and the risk of spontaneous combustion, but excessive through-ventilation can actually increase the risk of fire by introducing more oxygen to the cargo. Surface ventilation, where air is circulated across the top of the cargo only, is the recommended approach to safely manage the ventilation of bulk coal. The other options are incorrect because: A) through-ventilation is not recommended, C) ventilation is required regardless of temperature, and D) excluding all oxygen is not a safe approach, as some ventilation is needed.