California IDEX Practice Exam

A partition used to separate different occupancies in a mixed-occupancy situation must be a...

1. Brick wall

2. Stone wall

3. Fire barrier

4. Gypsum wall

The correct answer is: Fire barrier

In a mixed-occupancy situation, it is crucial to ensure that the different occupancies are adequately separated to prevent the spread of fire and to protect life safety. A fire barrier serves this specific purpose, as it is designed to resist the passage of fire and smoke for a specified period. Fire barriers are constructed to meet building code requirements and typically have specific ratings based on the occupancy type and potential fire hazards. While brick walls and stone walls can provide substantial physical separation, they may not meet the specific fire-resistance requirements laid out for fire barriers in a mixed-occupancy scenario. Gypsum walls, although they can be effective at providing some level of fire resistance, are not classified as fire barriers unless they are constructed and tested specifically to meet the criteria for fire barriers. Thus, the designation of a partition as a fire barrier is essential when separating different occupancy types, as it helps ensure compliance with safety regulations and protects against potential fire hazards.