What type of wall extends from the floor to the ceiling in a structure?

A wall that extends from the floor to the ceiling in a structure is referred to as a fire partition. This type of wall is specifically designed to resist the spread of fire and smoke within a building, serving as a barrier to protect various sections and ensure safe evacuation. Fire partitions can be essential in creating designated safe zones and protecting stairwells or other critical areas during a fire event.

Fire partitions are commonly constructed with materials that meet specific fire-resistance ratings to effectively contain a fire within a designated area. This helps to prevent the rapid spread of flames and smoke to other parts of the building, enhancing the safety of its occupants.

In contrast, a curtain wall is typically a non-structural exterior wall that does not carry any loads from the building, while an exterior wall is a wall on the outer part of the structure that may or may not extend from floor to ceiling. Fire enclosures are often designed to contain hazardous areas or provide additional fire protection but do not inherently describe all walls that run from floor to ceiling.