compartmentation

plural compartmentations

1. Division into compartments; compartmentalization.
   1. So as to prevent the spread of fire within a structure.

      The fire spread rapidly after the building's compartmentation failed.

      1 more example

      The reason for this compartmentation is FLAMETIGHT INTEGRITY. The purpose should be obvious: Propellent powder in flammable silk bags is always dangerous; compartmentation confines flame and explosive gas to the space in which it originates.

      1958, Gunner's Mate 3: Navy Training Courses, Bureau of Naval Personnel, page 191

   2. So as to prevent the spread of water (or rarely, another fluid) between otherwise watertight compartments (especially on a ship).

      The Titanic's compartmentation did not stop water from entering rooms.

      1 more example

      Compartmentation of the hull.—It has become the accepted practice in conventional rigid-airship construction to subdivide the buoyant gas into numerous independent containers[…]

      1937, “Naval Expansion Program”, in Hearing Before the Committee on Naval Affairs, United States: Government Printing Office, page 238

2. governmentThe dissemination of information and knowledge between different people or organisations on a need-to-know basis, so as to reduce the risk of espionage should one person or organisation be compromised externally; compartmentalization.

   Nevertheless the principles of compartmentation of information and need to know are essential to secrecy.

   1956, Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, volume 1, Washington: Joint Commission on Atomic Energy