A fire wall separating a Group F-1 occupancy must have a fire-resistance rating of how many hours?

A fire wall separating a Group F-1 occupancy — which includes moderate hazard factories — must meet specific fire-resistance rating requirements to ensure safety and compliance with building codes. According to the International Building Code (IBC), a fire wall serving as a separation between different occupancy classifications or between different buildings must typically be designed to provide at least a two-hour fire-resistance rating when it separates high-hazard occupancies.

For Group F-1 occupancies, this separation is critical because these facilities may house materials and processes that can pose a significant fire risk. Therefore, a fire wall with a three-hour rating is appropriate in more critical separation scenarios, particularly when the wall also serves to fully separate areas that may have a higher potential risk.

A three-hour fire-resistance rating ensures that the wall can withstand fire exposure for an extended period, allowing for evacuation and potentially preventing the spread of fire to adjacent spaces or buildings. Thus, it is crucial for life safety and property protection in commercial buildings where moderate hazards exist.