General Contractor Practice Exam

What is the maximum horizontal distance allowed between fire blocking in a concealed space of a wood-framed wall?

1. 8 feet

2. 10 feet

3. 12 feet

4. 15 feet

The correct answer is: 10 feet

In wood-framed construction, fire blocking plays a crucial role in inhibiting the spread of fire within concealed spaces, such as those found in walls, floors, and ceilings. The correct answer specifies a maximum horizontal distance of 10 feet between fire blocking. This distance is stipulated in building codes to ensure that if a fire starts in a concealed space, it is contained and reduced in its ability to spread quickly through the voids created by structural components. The requirement for 10 feet as the maximum distance ensures that fire has a limited area to travel, allowing for effective fire containment measures to be utilized. It aligns with fire safety practices designed to protect occupants and limit property damage. Adequate fire blocking is essential in these spaces to create barriers that stop flames and smoke from moving horizontally. In this context, the other distance options are longer than the specified limit, which would allow greater horizontal spread of fire, thus undermining the purpose of fire blocking. Therefore, the established maximum distance of 10 feet adheres to regulatory guidelines intended to promote safety in wood-framed constructions.