If not sprinklered, what fire rating is required between Ceramic Shop (F-2) and Veterinary Clinic (B)?

• A. 2-HOUR
• B. 1-HOUR
• C. 0-HOUR
• D. 3-HOUR

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how fire-resistance ratings for separating walls between different occupancies are set when there’s no automatic sprinkler system. The IBC requires a higher level of protection between occupancies with different risk profiles to prevent fire from crossing quickly. For a Ceramic Shop (F-2) and a Veterinary Clinic (B) when the building is not sprinklered, the separating wall must have a two-hour fire-resistance rating. This stronger barrier helps contain a fire in one space, protecting occupants and giving more time for evacuation and control. If sprinklers were present, the required rating would typically be lower, but in a non-sprinklered scenario, two hours is the standard. Zero hours isn’t acceptable between different occupancies, and three hours isn’t the required rating for this pairing. Therefore, the correct rating is two hours.