What type of assembly is designed to allow air passage but restrict fire movement?

A fire partition is specifically designed to allow for the passage of air while simultaneously restricting the movement of fire and smoke. This is crucial in maintaining the integrity of fire-rated assemblies within a building. Fire partitions are typically constructed in a way that they can be integrated with other components of the building's ventilation system to ensure that while air flow is permitted for proper air circulation and comfort, the spread of fire is hindered. This dual functionality is essential for safety, ensuring that fire cannot easily spread between different compartments or areas of occupancy, effectively controlling hazardous conditions in case of a fire event.

In contrast, a fire wall provides a more robust barrier against fire, generally extending from the foundation to or above the roof, effectively separating entire structures or different occupancy types. Membrane penetration refers to openings in fire-rated assemblies, focusing more on how penetrations are managed to maintain fire resistance, rather than allowing air flow. Lastly, a draftstop is used to limit the movement of smoke and hot gases within concealed spaces but does not allow for the passage of air in the same way a fire partition does. Thus, the function of allowing air passage while controlling fire movement is specifically characteristic of fire partitions.