Which of the following can be a sign of structural distress during a fire?

Bending beams can indeed indicate structural distress during a fire. When exposed to high temperatures, the material properties of structural components like beams change, leading to potential failure. Steel beams, for instance, can lose their strength and stiffness, while wooden beams can undergo charring or warping, resulting in visible bending. This deformation can compromise the integrity of the entire structure, making bending beams a critical indicator for firefighters to assess when approaching a burning building.

Crumbling walls may also suggest structural damage, but bending beams directly point to a failure in the load-bearing components essential for maintaining the building’s overall stability during a fire scenario. Smoke color is more relevant to fire behavior and potential materials involved rather than immediate structural integrity. Excessive noise might indicate various activities or events occurring within or near the structure but is not a reliable indicator of distress on its own compared to visible structural deformations.