In a covered mall building, an attached garage storing passenger vehicles for a max of 9 persons is considered a separate building if it is separated from the covered mall building by a minimum of ___ hour fire barriers.

The correct answer is that an attached garage storing passenger vehicles for a maximum of 9 persons is considered a separate building if it is separated from the covered mall building by a minimum of 2-hour fire barriers. This requirement is established to ensure that there is adequate fire protection and containment between the garage and the mall structure.

Fire barriers are essential in building design to limit the spread of fire and protect occupants. A 2-hour fire barrier provides a significant degree of protection, allowing time for evacuation and fire response. The specific requirement for a 2-hour barrier helps maintain safety standards set by building codes and fire safety regulations, which recognize that a garage poses unique fire risks due to the presence of vehicles and potential flammable materials.

In comparison, shorter barrier times would not provide sufficient separation under certain conditions, potentially allowing fire or smoke to migrate more easily between structures. Thus, the 2-hour fire barrier requirement is a critical component in ensuring the safety and integrity of both the garage and the connected covered mall.