Which building design element is associated with passive fire protection?

• A. Smoke detectors
• B. Fire-resistant walls and floor assemblies
• C. Emergency lighting
• D. Automatic sprinklers in every room

Answer: (B)

Passive fire protection means built-in features of the structure that resist fire without needing systems to activate. Fire-resistant walls and floor assemblies embody this by maintaining compartmentation and carrying capacity during a fire for a specified period. This slows fire spread, protects egress routes, and buys time for occupants and responders.

Detectors, emergency lighting, and sprinklers are active fire protection elements—they require sensing or activation to function. So the element most closely tied to passive protection is the fire-resistant walls and floor assemblies.