Final answer:
Fire doors prevent smoke intrusion into egress stairwells. They are a key part of passive fire protection systems in buildings, designed to contain the spread of fire and smoke without active measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component that prevents smoke intrusion into egress stairwells during a fire is c) Fire doors. Fire doors are specially designed to resist the spread of smoke and fire. They are an integral part of a building's passive fire protection system, meaning they help contain fire and smoke without action required by the occupants or a fire suppression system. When installed properly, fire doors seal off the stairwell to provide a safe escape route for building occupants.