Which structural component helps to contain a fire within a compartment?

The correct answer is bulkhead because bulkheads serve as vertical partitions between different compartments of a vessel. Their primary function is to limit the spread of fires, smoke, and water by creating fire-resistance barriers. These structural components help contain a fire within a specific area, preventing it from moving to adjacent spaces.

Bulkheads are often constructed of materials designed to withstand high temperatures and are crucial for maintaining a vessel's integrity during emergencies, such as a fire. This containment is vital for both fire control efforts and to protect the safety of personnel on board.

In contrast, while the deck provides horizontal separation and plays a critical role in the overall structure of a ship, it does not specifically contain fire within compartments in the same way that a bulkhead does. Beams support the structure but do not function primarily to contain fires. Railings, meanwhile, are designed for safety and do not contribute to fire containment at all.