Which of the following helps contain fire, toxic gasses and black smoke to their point of origin in a fire?

Compartmentation refers to the design and use of physical barriers in a building, such as walls and floors, that create distinct sections or compartments. The primary function of compartmentation is to contain fire, smoke, and toxic gases to specific areas, thereby preventing their spread throughout the building. This is crucial for allowing safe evacuation of occupants and minimizing property damage during a fire event.

The use of compartmentation is a fundamental fire protection strategy as it effectively helps to slow down the progression of a fire, giving occupants more time to escape and allowing firefighters more time to respond. When designed correctly, these compartments can withstand fire for a specified period, ensuring that the conditions remain as safe as possible for the duration of the emergency.

In contrast, while containment barriers and fire separations are also integral to fire safety, they often supplement the overall fire protection strategy. Smoke baffles might be helpful in controlling the movement of smoke but do not provide the same level of containment as a well-implemented compartmentation strategy.