What must audio circuits installed through fire-resistance rated walls, partitions, or ceilings be?

Audio circuits that are installed through fire-resistance-rated walls, partitions, or ceilings must be fire stopped to maintain the fire-resistive rating of the assembly. Fire-stopping materials are designed to seal openings around cables and conduits to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and gases through these penetrations. This is a crucial safety measure, as it helps to contain a fire to its room of origin and protects the integrity of the structure.

In the context of fire-resistance-rated assemblies, maintaining the rating after installation is vital for overall safety and compliance with building codes. Fire stopping effectively limits the potential pathways for fire to travel between different compartments of a building, thereby enhancing fire safety and protecting the lives and property within that structure.

While securing cables with clamps, insulating circuits, and ensuring vertical alignment may have their own importance in terms of installation quality and regulatory compliance, these factors do not address the critical need for fire containment in fire-resistance-rated assemblies. Thus, fire stopping is the essential requirement in this scenario.