What material is a Class A bulkhead primarily made of?

A Class A bulkhead is primarily designed to provide a high degree of fire resistance, and the material used for its construction greatly impacts its performance in this regard. Steel is the correct answer since it has excellent fire-resistant properties, allowing it to withstand high temperatures without collapsing or losing structural integrity.

Steel bulkheads are often used in ship construction and marine applications because they are durable, can be easily molded into shape, and provide significant barriers against fire, smoke, and heat spread. This is essential for maintaining safety in maritime environments where fires can quickly escalate.

While concrete, wood, and aluminum can be used in other types of constructions, they do not meet the same fire resistance standards required of Class A bulkheads. Concrete can be fire-resistant but is less common in bulkhead applications due to weight and construction limitations. Wood has limited fire resistance and is not suitable for applications requiring prolonged structural integrity under fire conditions. Aluminum is lightweight but lacks the necessary fire-resistance characteristics compared to steel, making it unsuitable for Class A applications.