Final answer:
Office buildings have greater potential for horizontal fire extension due to large, open floor plans, while residential high-rises have greater potential for vertical fire extension due to the presence of vertical shafts and individual kitchens in units.
Step-by-step explanation:
Do office buildings or hotel/residential high rises have a greater potential for horizontal and vertical fire extension? High-rise buildings, whether for office or residential use, share common challenges in fire safety due to their height and complex architecture. However, certain factors may contribute disproportionately to the potential for fire spread in these different types of structures, considering their design and use.
Office buildings often have large, open floor plans which facilitate horizontal fire spread. This can be compounded by the presence of combustible office materials and equipment. Fire can easily travel across these open spaces unless adequately compartmentalized with fire-resistant barriers. Furthermore, modern office buildings are often equipped with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems which, if not properly designed or maintained, can become pathways for smoke and fire to spread both horizontally and vertically.
Hotel and residential high-rises, on the other hand, are typically designed with many separated smaller units which can naturally limit the quick horizontal spread of fire. Nonetheless, these buildings have inherent vertical risks, as they contain vertical shafts for elevators, stairwells, and utility conduits that can act as channels for fire to move upwards. This is especially pertinent considering that people live in these structures, often with kitchens that present a constant source of potential ignition.