Florida Fire State Practice Exam

What material are firewalls typically made from due to their poor conductivity to heat?

1. Wood

2. Masonry

3. Metal

4. Plastic

The correct answer is: Masonry

Firewalls are typically made from masonry materials such as concrete, brick, or stone because these substances demonstrate poor conductivity to heat. This characteristic is crucial for firewalls since they are designed to resist the spread of fire between different areas of a building. The ability of masonry to withstand and block heat transfer helps to contain fires, allowing for safer evacuation and minimizing property damage. In contrast, wood, metal, and plastic lack the same level of fire resistance that masonry offers. While wood can easily ignite, metal may conduct heat away but can still weaken under extreme temperatures, and plastic would likely melt or emit toxic fumes during a fire. Thus, masonry provides the best performance in terms of fire resistance and structural integrity.