What structural feature is essential to prevent smoke hazards in high-rise buildings?

The structural feature that is essential to prevent smoke hazards in high-rise buildings is having walls rated for fire protection. These fire-rated walls are designed to withstand high temperatures and provide a barrier to the spread of smoke and flames. By containing smoke and heat within a limited area, they protect the building's occupants and provide a safe evacuation route. Fire-rated walls can also help maintain the integrity of escape routes, such as stairwells, which are critical for occupants to exit the building safely during a fire emergency.

In high-rise buildings, the design and materials used in construction play a significant role in fire safety. Fire-rated walls are an integral part of code-compliant construction because they help ensure that fire and smoke do not rapidly migrate from one area to another, thus providing crucial time for evacuation and for firefighters to manage the situation effectively.

While smoke alarms on every floor, effectively sealed vertical channels, and air conditioning systems all contribute to overall safety and fire prevention strategies, the presence of properly constructed and maintained fire-rated walls fundamentally supports the building's primary defense against smoke hazards. These walls act as a passive fire protection measure, which is essential in a high-rise environment where conditions can quickly change in the event of a fire.