Where are self-supporting fire walls most commonly found?

Self-supporting fire walls are most commonly found in 1 and 2 story industrial occupancies due to their purpose in protecting against the spread of fire within large, open layouts often seen in these types of buildings. In industrial settings, fire walls serve as barriers that can compartmentalize areas, helping to contain fires to specific sections and allowing for safe evacuation and fire-fighting efforts. These walls are designed to stand independently and are essential in structures where maintaining fire safety is critical.

In contrast, while high-rise office buildings, single-family homes, and skyscrapers may incorporate fire-rated walls, they do not typically utilize self-supporting fire walls in the same way. High-rise office buildings and skyscrapers often rely on the building’s overall structure for stability and may use other fire protection strategies such as sprinkler systems and more integrated fire-resistive components. Single-family homes usually do not require the same level of fire compartmentalization as industrial occupancies, so self-supporting fire walls are generally not utilized in such residential structures.