What is the purpose of compartmentation in building design?

• A. To improve occupant comfort without addressing life safety.
• B. To limit fire and smoke spread by dividing the building into fire-resistant compartments.
• C. To enhance natural lighting.
• D. To reduce construction costs.

Answer: (B)

Compartmentation is about containing a fire within defined, fire-resistant sections of a building. By dividing the structure into fire‑resistant compartments, flames, heat, and smoke are slowed or stopped from spreading to other areas. This gives occupants more time to evacuate and provides firefighters with a safer, more manageable environment to control and extinguish the fire, while helping keep escape routes and other spaces tenable. The practical means to achieve this include fire-resistance rated walls, floors, and ceilings, properly rated fire doors, and firestopping around penetrations to maintain the integrity of each compartment. It isn’t about occupant comfort, natural lighting, or reducing costs; its primary purpose is life safety and property protection through limiting fire and smoke spread.