What is the primary purpose of passive fire protection in building design?

The primary purpose of passive fire protection in building design is to contain or slow the spread of fire. This is achieved through the use of fire-resistant materials and construction methods that create barriers to fire and heat. These barriers can include fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as fire doors that help compartmentalize a building. By containing the fire to a specific area, passive fire protection helps to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building, thus providing more time for occupants to evacuate safely and for emergency responders to control the situation.

Other options, while related to fire safety, do not specifically describe the role of passive fire protection. Rapid extinguishing of fires focuses more on active fire suppression systems like sprinklers and extinguishers. Enhancing visibility in smoke is a concern for maintaining safe escape routes but isn't a function of passive systems. Ensuring quick evacuation relates to overall emergency planning and egress design rather than the passive strategies used to manage fire behavior within a structure.