When applying hose streams, where must they be directed to effectively remove heat from an exposure building?

Directing hose streams directly on the exposure building is crucial for effectively removing heat and minimizing the risk of fire spread to adjacent structures. When firefighters aim their streams at the sides of an exposure building, they are trying to cool the exterior surfaces that could potentially ignite from radiant heat or direct flame impingement.

This cooling action helps to create a barrier against the heat by reducing the temperature of the building's materials, thus mitigating the likelihood of ignition. Properly applying water to the building's surface can also help protect windows and other openings, which could allow heat to enter and cause fire spread inside.

In contrast, targeting the fire itself is primarily focused on extinguishing the main blaze, while directing streams between the buildings could provide some benefit but is not as focused on protecting the exposure itself. Aiming at the base of the building, while it may have some thermal cooling effect, does not address the need to protect the vertical surfaces that are most at risk from heat exposure. Therefore, the most effective approach involves applying water directly onto the exposure to ensure adequate protection against the heat from a nearby fire.