According to building code, how is each portion of a building separated by fire walls regarded?

When fire walls are used in a building, they act to separate distinct portions of the structure into independent units from a fire safety perspective. By this separation, each section is treated as its own separate building, which is crucial for maintaining safety standards and preventing the spread of fire throughout the entire construction.

This classification as a separate building allows for more effective regulatory compliance regarding fire protection systems, occupancy limits, and various safety protocols. Fire walls are specifically designed to withstand fire for a designated period, which is determined by the code requirements and aims to ensure that if one portion of the structure were to catch fire, the fire would be contained and would not easily spread to adjacent areas.

The other potential classifications do not accurately reflect the purpose and function of fire walls. For instance, regarding them as one cohesive unit would undermine fire safety measures, while referring to them as an annex or temporary construction does not recognize their critical role in fire protection and overall structural integrity.