What does compartmentation in fire protection primarily aim to do?

Compartmentation in fire protection is a critical strategy used to limit the spread of fire and smoke within a building. This method involves creating physical barriers—such as walls, floors, and doors—that help contain a fire to a specific area, thereby preventing it from spreading throughout the entire structure. By doing so, compartmentation not only enhances the safety of occupants by creating areas where people can evacuate more safely, but it also provides additional time for the fire department to respond and extinguish the fire.

In this context, limiting the spread of fire and smoke is essential for protecting both life and property. Compartmentation is designed to establish separate fire zones that can be more easily controlled and managed, which ultimately supports the overall fire safety strategy of a building. While evacuation routes, aesthetics, and structural integrity are important aspects of building design and safety, they do not directly align with the primary goal of compartmentation, which is to contain fire and smoke effectively.