What is a characteristic of a Class C bulkhead regarding fire safety regulations?

A Class C bulkhead is designed specifically to meet certain fire safety regulations on board a vessel, primarily to prevent the spread of fire and contain smoke in the event of a fire emergency. The characteristic of allowing the passage of smoke and flame indicates that this type of bulkhead does not provide the same level of fire resistance as other bulkhead classifications, such as Class A or B.

Class C bulkheads often provide a means of separation that is less robust but is still necessary for compartmentalizing spaces within the ship. While this partition helps with structural integrity and limiting the spread of flames, it does not provide the complete barrier against smoke and flame that would be expected from higher-rated bulkheads.

In terms of fire safety, the correct understanding of Class C bulkheads is crucial for ensuring that fire prevention measures are adequately taken, particularly in respect to the overall fire safety strategy aboard the vessel. This class of bulkhead is significant in managing smoke movement and temperature control in specific scenarios but lacks the capability to withstand high temperatures or completely prevent the passage of smoke, as indicated in the other options.