Exterior walls with a fire separation distance greater than 10 feet must be rated for exposure to fire from inside?

The requirement for fire-rated exterior walls is primarily concerned with the fire separation distance, which dictates how much protection is needed for walls based on their proximity to neighboring properties or structures. When the fire separation distance exceeds 10 feet, the concern about exposure to fire from adjacent properties decreases significantly. Therefore, walls that are more than 10 feet away from another building typically do not require a fire-resistance rating because the risk of fire from that distance is considered low.

In this case, the correct distance of 10 feet serves as a benchmark indicating that, beyond this point, the attributes of fire safety and exposure risks change. Walls situated at distances greater than 10 feet do not need to be rated for fire exposure from inside, since the potential for fire spread is considerably less. This understanding is essential for ensuring compliance with building codes designed to protect life and property from the effects of fire.