Which jet engine safety guideline is correct for responders regarding distances and heat after shutdown?

• A. Stay 30 ft from front/sides of intakes; shutdown engines may retain heat to ignite spilled fuel for up to 20 minutes.
• B. Stay 25 ft from intakes; engines retain heat for 10 minutes.
• C. Stay 15 ft from intakes; engines cool instantly.
• D. Stay 40 ft from intakes; no ignition risk after shutdown.

Answer: (B)

After a jet engine is shut down, there is still heat in the engine components and the risk of ignition from spilled fuel or hot surfaces. The safest approach is to keep a defined distance from the intake to avoid radiant heat, hot surfaces, and potential ingestion of debris or vapors by responders working near the aircraft. Staying about 25 feet away from the intakes creates a practical buffer zone that reduces exposure to heat and possible ignition while still allowing responders to approach for cooling and assessments. The engine can retain heat for roughly 10 minutes after shutdown, so this cooling window is treated as a hazardous period during which extra care is needed. Other options either overstate the distance or the cooling time, or falsely claim no ignition risk after shutdown.