What type of wall is designed primarily to resist the spread of fire?

A fire wall is specifically designed to resist the spread of fire between buildings or different sections of the same building. Its primary function is to provide a barrier that can hold back flames and heat, thereby preventing a fire from propagating beyond a designated area for a certain amount of time, as specified by building codes. Fire walls must be constructed of non-combustible materials and are often tested to determine their fire-resistance rating. This makes them a crucial element in fire prevention strategies, especially in large buildings or structures situated close to one another.

In contrast, load-bearing walls provide structural support for the building but are not specifically designed to resist fire. Partition walls often serve as dividers within a space, separating rooms or areas but typically do not have fire-resistant properties. Exterior walls, while they may provide some degree of fire resistance based on materials used, mainly serve to enclose the structure and are not primarily constructed for fire protection purposes. These differences highlight the unique role of fire walls in safeguarding lives and property from fire hazards.