What is the purpose of building compartmentation in terms of fire and smoke spread?

• A. To confine fire and smoke to a limited area
• B. To maximize open floor area
• C. To reduce insulation requirements
• D. To improve external appearance

Answer: (A)

Confine fire and smoke to a limited area. This slows the growth of the fire, limits heat and smoke transfer, and preserves tenable conditions in other parts of the building so occupants can evacuate and firefighters can operate more effectively. Achieving this relies on fire-resistance rated barriers, such as fire walls and fire barriers, plus smoke barriers and appropriately rated doors that control air and smoke movement. The goal isn’t to maximize open floor space, reduce insulation needs, or change how the building looks on the outside; those aspects aren’t the purpose of compartmentation.