In which areas are fire-rated walls often found?

Fire-rated walls are specifically designed to withstand the spread of fire and protect the structural integrity of a building. Elevator shafts are critical vertical openings in a building that can allow fire and smoke to travel between floors. By having fire-rated walls around elevator shafts, it contains fire and smoke, preventing it from spreading to other areas. This is essential for the safety of occupants and for allowing the building to comply with fire safety codes and regulations.

While restrooms, hallways, and offices may have fire safety considerations, they do not necessarily require the same level of fire rating as elevator shafts. Fire-rated walls are particularly important in areas that could facilitate the vertical movement of fire, making their presence around elevator shafts a standard practice in fire protection design.