/CODE/ Occupancy

Accessory occupancy

Space or room that is ancillary to the main occupancy but that does not exceed 10% of the floor area of the main occupancy (small gift shop in a hospital). Not required to be separated by a fire barrier except for the following cases: live/work units, hazardous occupancies (H) and incidental accessory occupancy.

Control areas

Spaces within a building where quantities of hazardous materials not exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area are stored, dispensed, used or handled. Allows multiple parts of a building to contain an array of hazardous materials when areas are propertly separaed and the quantity of materials within each area meet the specified maximums for each type of material.

Mixed occupancy groups

When a building or area of a building contains two or more occupancies (B office and A auditorium). Each occupancy must be separated from other occupancies with a fire barrier of the hourly rating as defined by the particular code that applies. If not, there are restrictions on the area and height.

fire zones

Zoning in a city based on fire hazard. Based on *density, access to fire fighting equipment, existing building heights etc.* Dense CBD would be Zone 1. <? thought it was based on low, moderate, high hazar)d

Occupancy Group A

*ASSEMBLY*>50 people A1- assembly area usually with fixed seats intended for viewing performing arts or motion pictures. Light levels may be low and people may panic in emergency situations. A2-assembly area where food and drinks are consumed. Presumes that alcoholic beverages may be served thus impairing occupants responses to an emergency. Presumes chairs/tables will be loose and may obstruct egress. A3- does not fit into first two categories. Includes spaces for worship (<100), recreation, amusement, conference rooms. A4- viewing indoor sporting events A5- viewing outdoor sporting events

Occupancy Group B

*BUSINESS* Offices, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care facilities, Outpatient Clinic (not incapable of unassisted self preservation), Ambulatory Care Facility (patients stay less than 24 hours Labs can cross into Group H depending on how much hazardous material there is. Educational facilities for junior colleges, universities, and continuing ed for classes above 12th grade are Group B not E. If occupancy >50 people for conference/meeting rooms then it crosses into Group A. People incapable of unassisted self-preservation may also be clssified as I-2 occupancies based on duration of stay.

Occupancy Group E

*EDUCATION* >6 people for classes up to 12th grade. Includes daycare (>6 children over the age of 2.5) <6 children in a dwelling unit is Grouped as R-3

Occupancy Group F

*FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL* F1: Moderate Hazard F2: Low Hazard, manufacturing materials that are noncombustible Ex: Distillery making alcohol<16% are F2, >16% are F1 May cross into Group H depending on material manufactured.

Occupancy Group H

*HIGH HAZARD* Categorized on types and quantity of hazardous materials H1-H4, H5 Some hazardous materials can be sold in Group M without it changing Occupancy. Cleaning supplies can be kept in Group B without changing Occupancy.

Occupancy Group I

*INSTITUTIONAL* People have special restrictions placed on them. Subdivided based on people's ability to take care of themselves in an emergency. Considers number of occupants, ages, health, personal liberty, how long they are in facility. I1: >16 people under 24 hour supervision or receiving custodial care (assistance with day to day living tasks such as cooking, medications, bathing, using toilet etc. Occupants who evacuate at a slower rate and have mental and psychiatric complications). Ex: halfway houses, assisted living facilities, group homes. If 6<occupants<16 then R4, if <5 then R3. I2: >5 under supervised conditions and 24 hour medical care. Incapable of unassisted self preservation and cannot respond to emergencies without assistance from staff. Includes: hospitals, mental hospitals, detox facilities, nursing homes. If <5 <24 hours then R3. I3: >5 people under 24hour security. Example: prisons, detention centers, mental hospitals. I4: >5 people, supervised/custodial care<24hours. Example: adult day care, child day care (6<occupants<100 children <2.5years old, on 1st floor is Group E), <5 may be Group R3

Occupancy Group M

*MERCANTILE* Retail facilities. Includes incidental storage. Larger storage areas would be classified as group S.

Occupancy Group R

*RESIDENTIAL* Housing units. Distinguished by total number of occupants. R1: <30days sleeping in rooms. Assumes occupants are not familiar with the surroundings. Example: hotels, transient boarding houses. R2: more than 2 dwelling units, >30 days. Examples: apartments, dormitories, long term boarding houses. R3: permanent, not R1, R2, or I. Examples: single family residences, duplexes. Daycare<5 people. Congregate living facilities with <16 people. R4: residential care, assisted living use, 5<occupants<16, receiving custodial care.

Occupancy Group S

*STORAGE* S1: high hazard (aircraft hangers) S2: low hazard, noncombustible material

Occupancy

*Type of use* of a building or interior space, such as an office, a restaurant, a private residence, or a school. Uses are grouped by occupancy based on *similar life safety characteristics, fire hazards, and combustible content.*

Occupancy Group U

*UTILITY AND MISC* Used for incidental buildings of accessory nature. Usually unoccupied except for short times during a 24 hour period. Includes fences 6' in height, retaining walls.

Two variations of mixed occupancies

1. accessory occupancy 2. incidental accessory occupancy

10 major Occupancy Groups

A- assembly B - business E- education F- factory and industrial H- hazardous I- institutional M- mercantile R- residential S- storage U- utility

What steps can be taken to increase the allowed area and height specified in IBC based on type of construction and occupancy group?

Add automatic fire sprinklers Build fire walls to subdivide building into smaller portions.

Incidental accessory occupancy

Certain spaces incidental to the main space and classified in the same category as the main space but required to have a fire barrier, automatic fire-extinguishing system, or both. Must be <10% of area. Example: linen collection room on the same floor as hotel rooms, boilers, furnace rooms etc. In some cases automatic sprinkler systems in the incidental spaces may be substituted for the fire barrier. Separations must still be able to resist the passage of smoke.

What factors do Occupancy Groups control that affect safety?

Fire protection requirements Area and height limitations Type of construction restrictions Means of egress

Common incidental occupancy rooms

Furnace room with equipment >400,000 BTUH input Boiler Room with equipment> 15psi and 10hp Refrigerant machineary room Incinerator room Paint shops not classified as an H occupancy in occupancies other than F Labs not clssified as an H occupancy in Group E or I-2 occupancies Laundry rooms>100sf

What is the idea behind Occupancy Groups?

Number of occupants and nature of their activity will require different types of fire-restrictive construction. Example: Nightclubs and theaters have an inherent ly high risk of panic, and therefore need more fire-restrictive construction. Hospital patients and prison inmates are in greater danger than more mobile people and must have greater protection.