Fire Wall Vs Fire Barrier

The term barrier and partition are frequently thrown around to describe passive smoke and fire management systems.

Fire wall vs fire barrier.

4 3 2 1 1 2 3 3ª 1 1 2 1 1 2 fire barriers having a required fire resistance rating of 1 hour. Fire walls and fire barriershaving a required fire resistance rating greater than 1 hour. Firewalls and fire barriers are both designed to prevent a fire from spreading but these often confused structures are actually quite different. Building and structural firewalls in north america are usually made of concrete concrete blocks or reinforced concrete older fire walls built prior to world war ii used brick materials.

Where a fire wall also serves as a required separation between occupancy groups or fire areas the most restrictive fire resistance rating of either the fire wall or the fire barrier separating wall shall be applied. Unlike fire barriers used as interior fire separations firewalls are exterior walls or internal occupancy separations that run continuously from the base of a building to the roof. To maximize the benefits of these elements it is important to understand the differences between fire barrier vs fire partition. A firewall subdivides a building into separate areas.

However when it comes to building codes the ibc is actually quite particular. This is a type of wall that resists fire from the exterior of the building. The supporting construction for a fire barrier shall be protected to afford the required fire resistance rating of the fire barrier supported. Fire barrier walls are typically constructed of drywall or gypsum board partitions with wood or metal framed studs.

Penetrations penetrations through fire walls such as for pipes and cables must be. Such fire barriers shall be continuous through concealed space such as the space above a suspended ceiling 707 5 1 supporting construction. If a fire breaks out causing the structure of one side of the firewall to collapse these walls remain standing and retain their fire rating. If the fire wall separates buildings of differing occupancy groups the most restrictive rating shall be used.

These are the key factors in understanding the use of firewalls and fire barriers in construction. Ideally firewalls and fire barriers are used together to make a structure as safe as possible. For any fire protection plan a fire barrier and fire partition are vital. Shaft exit enclosure and exit passageway walls 11 other fire barriers 1 3 4 fire partitions corridor walls 1 0 5 1 3ᵇ 1 3ᵇ other fire partitions 1 0 5 3 4.

Both terms get used when referring to fire management systems and passive smoke.