In a compartmentalized floor area of a building, which elements subdivide the space with fire-resistive properties?

• A. Doors or Curtains
• B. Carpet or Drapes
• C. Lumber or Doorways
• D. Partitions or Walls

Answer: (D)

Compartmentation relies on fire-resistive barriers that enclose and divide space. The walls and partitions of a building are designed and rated to resist heat and flame for a specified time, creating separate, protected areas and slowing the spread of fire and smoke. That’s why the elements that subdivide a compartment with fire-resistive properties are partitions or walls.

Carpets, drapes, and other textiles are typically fuels and don’t serve as the fire-resistive boundary that defines a compartment. Lumber is also combustible and not used as the primary fire-resistive divider. Doorways are openings between compartments and, while doors can be part of a rated assembly, the dividing feature itself is the wall or partition.