What is the primary function of a fire barrier?

The primary function of a fire barrier is to limit the spread of fire and smoke within a building. Fire barriers are constructed to provide a protective separation between different areas to control fire hazards effectively. By restricting fire and smoke movement, they play a crucial role in enhancing the safety of occupants and minimizing property damage during a fire incident. This is particularly important for allowing for safe evacuation routes and for giving fire-fighting efforts a better chance to contain the fire before it spreads further.

The other options focus on aspects that do not align with the primary objective of fire barriers. While aesthetic value and decorative elements may be considerations in overall building design, they do not contribute to fire safety or management. Similarly, although improving air quality might be an ancillary benefit in general building operations, it is not a function of fire barriers specifically.