NCIDQ IDFX Practice Exam

What type of door rating is often required for occupancy separation?

1. 1-hour door rated

2. 3/4-hour door rated

3. 2-hour door rated

4. 30-minute door rated

The correct answer is: 3/4-hour door rated

In fire-resistance-rated construction, occupancy separation is crucial for limiting the spread of fire between different areas of a building that may have different uses or occupancy types. A door with a 3/4-hour rating effectively meets the requirements for separating occupancies while providing a reasonable level of fire protection. A 3/4-hour door rated at 45 minutes is often used in areas where there is a need to protect from potential fire hazards without requiring the stringent protection of higher-rated doors. This rating allows for some fire resistance combined with lower cost and design flexibility, making it suitable for many standard occupancy separations in various building types. Higher ratings, like 1-hour or 2-hour, generally apply to more extensive fire protection needs or areas where the risk of fire is significantly greater, such as in specific types of high-riser buildings or certain types of industrial facilities. A 30-minute rated door may not provide adequate separation for most occupancy types requiring more robust protections. Hence, the use of a 3/4-hour door rated is an appropriate choice for occupancy separation where moderate fire protection is warranted.