What term refers to a wall built to prevent the spread of fire from one area of a structure to another?

• A. Firestop System
• B. Fire Wall
• C. Flex Duct
• D. Hard Wall System

Answer: (B)

Fire walls are built to prevent the spread of fire from one area of a structure to another. They are designed as continuous barriers with a specified fire-resistance rating that subdivides a building into separate fire areas, helping to contain the blaze and protect occupants and adjacent spaces. In practice, a fire wall runs from the foundation up through floors and ceilings, resists heat, and preserves its integrity during a fire, with openings (like doors) that are themselves fire-rated and properly sealed around penetrations with firestop materials. This makes it the correct term for the described wall. Other options relate to components or different concepts: a fire stop system seals openings in a fire-rated wall, not the wall itself; a flex duct is HVAC ducting; a hard wall system isn’t a standard term for fire containment.