Are fire doors required in common walls separating rooms in an R-1 occupancy?

In R-1 occupancies, which typically include transient lodging facilities like hotels and motels, fire doors are indeed required in common walls separating individual guest rooms. This requirement is based on the need to limit the spread of fire and smoke between different units. Fire doors, which are designed to withstand high temperatures and restrict smoke and flames, serve as a crucial barrier in the event of a fire, thereby enhancing occupant safety and providing a means of egress.

The presence of fire doors is part of the overall fire protection strategy mandated by building codes and fire safety regulations. These measures are aimed at ensuring that when a fire originates in one room, it does not quickly spread to other adjoining rooms, potentially endangering the lives of the occupants in those spaces.

This requirement emphasizes the importance of compartmentalization in fire safety, reducing the impact of fire-related emergencies. While there may be certain stipulations under which fire door implementation varies, the general rule within the context of R-1 occupancy mandates these safety features to fulfill the protection objectives outlined in the International Fire Code and related standards.