ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam 2025 – All-In-One Guide to Exam Success

Spalling is a phenomenon that occurs when materials, such as concrete or masonry, are subjected to high temperatures during a fire. As the heat penetrates the material, it can cause moisture trapped within to vaporize. This rapid expansion of moisture can lead to cracks and fractures, causing pieces of the material—known as spalls—to break away from the surface.

In the context of the choices presented, damage to mortar as a result of heat exemplifies how spalling manifests physically. The mortar may crack and chip away, compromising its structural integrity and possibly affecting the overall stability of the construction.

In contrast, the other options suggest scenarios that are either exaggerated or inaccurate interpretations of spalling. While it is true that extreme fires can consume materials, brick walls typically do not burn completely, and insulting that no damage occurs contradicts the very nature of spalling as a destructive process influenced by heat exposure. Hence, focusing on spalling as a damaging event, specifically in relation to mortar, highlights the correct understanding of the phenomenon during fire scenarios.