Fire-resistance-rated separation is not required between a food court and adjacent tenant places or the mall. This statement is:

The statement regarding the requirement for fire-resistance-rated separation between a food court and adjacent tenant places or the mall is considered correct. In many building codes and fire safety regulations, food courts are designed as assembly areas, which typically do not necessitate the same level of fire-resistance-rated separation as other types of occupancies, depending on the overall construction and occupancy configuration.

This aligns with the intent to create a safe environment while allowing for a more open design that encourages usage and access. However, adjacent occupancies with different use types may require appropriate fire separation depending on factors like occupancy load, type of materials used, and the potential fire hazard presented by each different tenant space.

Therefore, in many cases, fire-resistance-rated separations may not be mandated between these types of spaces, reinforcing the statement's accuracy.