The differences between fire partitions, enclosure walls, and curtain walls are as follows. Fire partitions are interior walls that do not qualify as fire walls but are used to subdivide a floor or area of a building. They are not required to extend continuously through a building. A fire partition is usually erected from a floor to the underside of the floor above. Fire partitions are typically not required to have as much fire resistance as a fire wall. Fire partitions are constructed from a wide variety of materials such as Lath and plaster, Gypsum wallboard, concrete block, combinations of materials. Enclosure walls are similar to partition walls in their construction but the main difference between the two designations is in their function. The purpose of enclosure walls is to block the vertical spread of fire through a buildings openings, this includes stairwells, stairwell exits passageways, elevator shafts and pipe chases. Enclosure walls are required to have a fire resistance rating of one or two hours depending on the height of the building. Enclosure walls are usually non load bearing. The most common construction materials used for enclosure walls is Gypsum board with steel or wood studs, Lath and plaster, concrete block, Hollow clay tile enclosure walls in older fire resistive buildings. Curtain walls are a style of wall designed to separate the interior environment from the exterior environment. They are used in steel framed high rise buildings and modern curtain walls are frequently used in building with concrete frames. curtain walls serve the following functions. resist environmental loads, control heat loss, limit noise transmission, limit solar radiation. Common materials used in construction of curtain walls include common materials and combinations of steel and glass, stainless steel, aluminum, light weight concrete plastic and fiberglass. Non fire resistive curtain walls frequently extend from the floor to the ceiling of one level.

I agree with the explanation, DE Shadoin. It clearly distinguishes fire partitions, enclosure walls, and curtain walls based on their purpose, fire resistance, and construction. Fire partitions subdivide interior spaces and don’t require full continuity or high fire ratings. Enclosure walls are designed to prevent vertical fire spread and are used around shafts and stairwells, requiring higher fire ratings. Curtain walls are non-load-bearing exterior walls used in high-rise construction, primarily for environmental control, not fire protection. The material distinctions are also well noted.