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1. What is Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction?

Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction is building construction in which the structural members (including walls, partitions, columns, floors, and roof) are used for the separation of adjacent spaces to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building.

2. Why is Fire Resistance Rated Construction important?

A fire-resistive wall, floor or ceiling (assembly) is designed and constructed to create a fire barrier to protect safe passage for people and/or protect an area from fire within a building through containment by firestop, fire-rated wall and floor assemblies such as fire-rated HVAC duct dampers and fire-rated doors.

3. How is it constructed/rated?

Fire-resistance-rated walls and/or ceiling designs have been subjected to specific testing in order to determine the resistance rating (1 hour, 2 hour., etc.). Also, reference the Indiana Building Code Chapter 7: Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction. Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction (PDF)

4. What's the difference between a fire wall and a fire barrier?

Fire Barrier - A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained.

Fire Wall - A fire-resistance-rated wall which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.