Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) Practice

In the case of new ambulatory healthcare facilities that are non-sprinklered, the requirement for corridors providing access to exits is that they must have a 1-hour fire resistance rating. This requirement is established to enhance safety by ensuring that individuals have adequate time to evacuate the facility in the event of a fire.

A 1-hour fire resistance rating means that the corridor can withstand fire exposure for a minimum of one hour, thus limiting the spread of fire and smoke to allow for safe egress. This is particularly critical in healthcare settings, where vulnerable populations such as patients and elderly individuals may require additional time and accessibility during an emergency.

The other options do not meet the necessary safety standards for corridor construction in non-sprinklered healthcare facilities. For instance, the no rating required option does not provide any fire protection, making it unsuitable for ensuring the safety of occupants. Similarly, a ½ hour rating is insufficient for maintaining effective fire-resistance barriers in a facility where life safety is paramount, and a continuous rating from the floor to the roof, while potentially beneficial, does not directly address the specific timeframe for fire resistance necessary for safe evacuation. Therefore, the correct answer is the requirement for a 1-hour fire resistance rating for corridors