Which zone is designated for decontamination activities?

• A. Hot zone
• B. Warm zone
• C. Cold zone
• D. Control zone

Answer: (B)

Decontamination is performed in the warm zone, the transitional area between the heavily contaminated hot zone and the clean cold zone. This zone is set up with decontamination stations where people and equipment are washed, inspected, and where PPE is doffed in a controlled way. The goal is to remove contaminants before anyone moves into the clean environment, preventing the spread of contamination. The hot zone contains the source of contamination and is the most dangerous area, while the cold zone is kept clean for command, staging, and medical activities. The term control zone refers to organizational boundaries and incident management, not the decontamination space.