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Stud walls with a 3-hour rating are prohibited for the protection of equipment in electrical vaults due to their structural inadequacy in environments that require a higher level of fire and physical protection. While stud walls can be constructed to achieve fire resistance, they typically do not provide the same level of durability and physical protection as solid materials such as concrete, brick, or sheet metal. In electrical vaults, which house sensitive and potentially hazardous electrical equipment, the integrity of the surrounding walls is essential to ensure that equipment is protected against fire, impact, and other environmental factors.

Concrete walls offer robust protection and excellent fire resistance, making them a suitable choice for this application. Brick walls also provide both strength and fire resistance, ensuring that the equipment remains safe over time. Sheet metal walls can be used; however, they must meet specific fire resistance ratings and structural requirements. The use of stud walls, even with a fire rating, does not align with the rigorous requirements expected in an electrical vault setting, thereby rendering them insufficient for this critical application.