What is the purpose of compartmentation in fire safety design?

• A. To increase building height
• B. To divide into fire-resistance-rated compartments to control fire and smoke spread
• C. To reduce construction cost
• D. To optimize HVAC airflow

Answer: (B)

Compartmentation in fire safety design is the practice of dividing a building into fire-resistance-rated compartments to control fire and smoke spread. By creating barriers such as fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings, and by using rated openings (fire doors, protected wraps around penetrations, dampers, and fire-stopped joints), a fire is confined to the compartment of origin for a period of time. This slows the movement of heat and plume, reduces the rate at which flames and smoke travel to adjacent areas, and preserves the integrity of escape routes and critical structural elements. The result is safer evacuation, more effective firefighting, and less overall damage because you’re limiting the area the fire can quickly affect. This approach isn’t about increasing building height, reducing construction cost, or optimizing HVAC airflow, though it can influence those aspects indirectly.