Which of the following is true regarding the penetration of ducts in fire walls?

Fire walls are critical components in a building's fire protection strategy, designed to prevent the spread of fire from one area of a building to another or between adjacent structures. One of the fundamental principles of fire wall design is integrity; they must remain unbreached to perform their intended function of containing fire.

When considering the penetration of ducts in fire walls, it's important to understand that allowing any penetration can compromise the fire wall's integrity. This is why the best practice dictates that ducts should not penetrate fire walls. Penetrations can create paths for fire and smoke to travel through, effectively undermining the safety measures in place.

In certain situations, if there is a need for ducts to pass through fire walls, it typically requires specific fireproofing measures and methods to maintain fire resistance ratings. This may include the use of fire-stopping systems. However, in standard practice, the rule is that ducts should not penetrate fire walls to maintain their characteristics and effectiveness as fire barriers. This fundamental principle is crucial for ensuring compliance with building codes and maintaining overall safety in a commercial building.