When latent heat is transferred between the two airflows flowing along the respective sides of each partition member, not only a layer of moisture absorbent but also a layer of flame retardant lies in the direction of transfer of the moisture. Thus, even if the moisture is absorbed by the layer of moisture absorbent, the layer of flame retardant resists the moisture transfer so that the amount of transfer of the moisture decreases in that part with a drop in the moisture permeability of the partition member. To solve the problem, there is provided a total heat exchanging element comprising partition members and spacing members having moisture permeable portions provided with moisture permeability and flame resisting portions provided with flame retardancy, the both portions not overlapping with each other within each single member. For example, the partition members have the moisture permeable portions provided with moisture permeability, and the spacing members have the moisture resisting portions provided with flame retardancy.