Florida Building Code Practice Exam

What building material is used to resist the passage of flame through concealed spaces?

1. Fire wall

2. Fire partition

3. Fire damper

4. Fireblocking

The correct answer is: Fireblocking

Fireblocking is a critical building material designed to impede the passage of flames through concealed spaces within a structure. This material is strategically installed in various areas, such as at the intersection of walls and ceilings, within floor framing, or around pipe penetrations, to create a barrier that slows the spread of fire and smoke. By using fireblocking, builders aim to compartmentalize areas of a building, which not only helps in containing the fire but also provides occupants with valuable extra time for evacuation. Fireblocking materials can include specific types of insulation, caulking, or solid wood blocking, all intended to prevent flames from traveling through concealed cavities. In contrast, other choices like fire walls, fire partitions, and fire dampers serve distinct but different purposes in fire protection and building safety. Fire walls provide a higher degree of protection by creating a barrier that can withstand fire for a substantial amount of time, while fire partitions are meant to separate different occupancy areas but may not offer the same level of fire resistance. Fire dampers, on the other hand, are mechanical devices that close off air ducts when heat is detected, but they do not address the passage of flames through structural elements. Hence, fireblocking is specifically tailored to address the issue of concealed spaces