What type of materials can be used for fire barriers in buildings?

Fire barriers are critical components in building construction designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of a building. The key aspect of fire barriers is their ability to withstand high temperatures and fulfill specific fire-resistance ratings, which are essential for maintaining safety and code compliance.

Concrete is a widely used material for fire barriers due to its inherent fire-resistive properties. It does not burn, can withstand significant heat, and has the ability to resist the spread of flames and smoke. This makes it an ideal choice for fire barrier construction, especially in areas where fire safety is a major concern.

While wood is a common construction material, it has lower fire resistance compared to concrete and is more combustible. In building codes, wood components used in fire barriers typically require fire-retardant treatments or must be engineered in such a way to enhance their fire-resistive qualities. However, even with such enhancements, wood cannot consistently match the fire-resistive performance of concrete.

Thus, the correct choice emphasizes that concrete is a suitable and dependable material for fire barriers, effectively fulfilling the building requirements for fire safety.