What does 'compartmentalization' refer to in fire safety?

Compartmentalization in fire safety refers to the practice of isolating a fire to prevent its spread. This is achieved through the design of the structure using physical barriers such as walls, doors, and floors that are specifically constructed to resist fire. These barriers can help to contain a fire within a specific area or "compartment," delaying its spread to other parts of a building and providing more time for occupants to evacuate and for firefighters to respond.

The critical aspect of compartmentalization is that it enhances the overall safety of the structure and its occupants by limiting the fire's ability to grow and affect larger areas. It is an integral part of fire safety design in commercial buildings, ships, and other structures, ensuring that the risks associated with fire can be managed effectively.

While identifying fire hazards, extinguishing flames, and assessing fire detection systems are important elements of fire safety as well, they do not specifically address the concept of controlling the spread of fire within a building or vessel, which is the essence of compartmentalization.