What type of door is prescribed for openings in fire separation walls?

A fire door is specifically designed to resist the passage of flames and smoke for a designated period of time, making it crucial for maintaining the integrity of fire separation walls. Fire separation walls are constructed to limit the spread of fire between different areas of a building, and the types of openings within these walls must be sealed with fire-rated doors to achieve the intended fire safety measures.

Fire doors are constructed with specific materials and designs that meet stringent fire protection standards, which ensure they can withstand high temperatures and prevent flames and smoke from moving from one section of a building to another. This capability is essential in preventing the rapid spread of fire, thereby allowing occupants more time to evacuate and reducing property damage.

In contrast, doors classified under other categories—such as emergency exit doors, safety doors, or reinforced doors—do not necessarily provide the same level of fire resistance. Emergency exit doors are primarily concerned with providing a safe means of egress during an emergency, safety doors focus on security and preventing unauthorized access, and reinforced doors are meant to offer increased durability against physical attacks but do not have specific fire resistance capabilities.

Therefore, for openings in fire separation walls, the prescribed option is a fire door, as it directly addresses the need for fire containment and safety in accordance