Are ducts allowed to pass through fire walls without any conditions?

Ducts are not allowed to pass through fire walls without specific conditions being met due to the important safety implications involved. Fire walls are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of a building. If ducts were permitted to pass through these walls unconditionally, they could create potential pathways for fire and smoke to spread, compromising the integrity of the fire barriers.

To maintain the effectiveness of fire walls, any ductwork that penetrates these walls must meet stringent requirements outlined in the NFPA 96 Standard and other applicable standards. Typically, this includes using fire-rated duct systems or fire-stopping materials that can effectively seal the opening against flames and smoke. These precautions ensure that the fire-resistance rating of the wall is preserved, promoting safety in commercial cooking operations and other spaces.

This is why the answer indicating that ducts cannot pass through fire walls without conditions is accurate, as it highlights the necessity of following established safety protocols to protect against fire hazards.