Partition Wall
The space inside a building has to be subdivided within rooms to serve various functions. This is carried out through partition walls. It ensures privacy, and might also provide insulation against heat and sound. Openings along with door leaves are given in these partitions for giving access. The partitions could be permanent or sometimes, as in offices, it might be desirable to have a system of internal divisions that can be shifted to suit the possible modifications in the use pattern of the spaces. They could be folding or sliding type also. They generally extend from the floor to the ceiling, but in a few offices low partitions are used to afford a limited degree of privacy. They could be solid, louvered or hollow. Partitions could be opaque, transparent or translucent. Internal load bearing walls also serve the reasons of partitions. Non-load bearing partitions could be constructed from a huge variety of materials. The selection would depend on a number of factors such as thickness, weight, cost, sound insulation, ease of construction, necessity to shift, decorative treatment and fire resistance. For support of non-load bearing partitions, such as for half brick masonry, there should be adequate structural arrangement.