What is the purpose of a fire stop in fire safety?

The purpose of a fire stop in fire safety is to slow the vertical progress of a fire up a wall. Fire stops are critical elements in building construction designed to compartmentalize fire and limit its spread through walls, floors, and ceilings. When correctly installed, they help to thwart the movement of flames and smoke from one compartment to another, thereby increasing the time available for occupants to evacuate and for firefighting efforts to commence.

By creating a barrier that a fire must overcome, fire stops are essential in maintaining the integrity of the building’s fire-resistance-rated assemblies. This is vital not only for occupant safety but also for protecting assets and reducing the extent of fire damage.

The other options, while important aspects of building safety, do not directly define the primary purpose of fire stops. Enhancing airflow is not only unrelated to fire safety but could actually promote the fire's spread in some contexts. Preventing electrical hazards pertains more to electrical safety measures rather than fire stop functionality, and providing structural support, while important for a building's design, does not relate to the fire containment purpose served by fire stops.