Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) Practice Exam

What wall type should separate renovation space from occupied space in a non-sprinklered facility?

1. 2-hour rated wall

2. 1-hour rated wall

3. Barrier wall

4. Partition wall

The correct answer is: 1-hour rated wall

In a non-sprinklered facility, it is crucial to have an effective barrier to separate renovation space from occupied spaces to ensure the safety of occupants and prevent the spread of fire. A 1-hour rated wall is designed to withstand fire for at least one hour, making it suitable for areas where construction or renovation activities may pose a risk to those in adjacent occupied spaces. This level of fire resistance is generally adequate for maintaining safety in less hazardous non-sprinklered environments while still allowing for necessary renovations to be carried out without endangering other building occupants. A 2-hour rated wall, while providing a higher level of fire resistance, is usually reserved for more critical applications or larger areas where occupancy levels or the potential for more hazardous situations warrant it. A barrier wall serves a broad purpose in construction, typically indicating a more generic protective partition, while a partition wall is not specifically designed for fire resistance and does not meet the necessary safety requirements for this scenario.