The Yeti – Page 9 – Construction Yeti

When starting any design of new building construction or even a renovation one of the first steps is to determine the building’s Occupancy Classification. This is very important because each classification has specific Dos, Don’ts, and regulations specific to the classification and groups. The code uses Occupancy Classifications, which represent varying levels of hazard and risk to building occupants and adjacent properties, to classify buildings by their primary use and purpose. In this post, we will assume your local jurisdiction has adopted the International Building Code (IBC) as it is the most popular model code in the USA and adopted in many countries worldwide. The IBC organizes and categorizes buildings into 10 main Occupancy Classifications and when you consider subgroups there is a total of 26 groups. For many buildings, it can be quite easy and straightforward to determine the building’s Occupancy Classification. You simply go to the IBC Chapter 3 and find the building group listing that most closely matches your building’s usage. For example if you are planning to design and build an office building then you would find that Section 304 “Business Group B” includes buildings uses for office, professional, or service-type transactions. Similarly if you are planning a hotel you would find under section 310, “Residential Group R” specifically list Hotels and Motels as Residential Group R-1. ICC provides FREE access to all of their model codes. See our post for free links to all of the ICC codes such as IBC, IRC, IEBC, etc. Why does the IBC have Occupancy Classifications? The International Building Code (IBC) uses the occupancy group classifications to ensure buildings are designed and built to appropriate safety standards. The occupancy classifications are grouped primarily based on their relative fire hazard and life safety properties such as how many people will be in the area, are there hazardous materials or manufacturing, and are people sleeping, cooking, living etc. The rest of the codebook uses the occupancy classification to organize requirements like allowable building height, appropriate types of construction as well as occupant safety requirements such as means of egress, fire protection systems, fire rated wall separations and devices. All Occupancy Groups and Examples The information provided below is for general use only, additional information is available in the International Building Code specifically Chapter 3 Use and Occupancy Classifications. You should also consult your Local Building Official or a Design Professional in determining the appropriate Classification for your situation. Occupancy ClassificationExamplesAssembly Group A-1Movie Theaters, Concert HallsAssembly Group A-2Restaurants, Bars, CafeteriasAssembly Group A-3Churches, Gymnasiums, LibrariesAssembly Group A-4Arenas, Indoor Swimming PoolsAssembly Group A-5Outdoor StadiumsBusiness Group BOffices, Colleges, BanksEducational Group EK-12 Schools, Daycare FacilitiesFactory and Industrial Group F-1Moderate-hazard FactoriesFactory and Industrial Group F-2Low-hazard FactoriesHigh Hazard Group H-1High-hazard DetonationHigh Hazard Group H-2High-hazard Accelerated BurningHigh Hazard Group H-3High-hazard CombustionHigh Hazard Group H-4High-hazard HealthHigh Hazard Group H-5High-hazard SemiconductorsInstitutional Group I-1Assisted living, Halfway Houses(Greater than 16 occupancts)Institutional Group I-2Hospitals, Nursing HomesInstitutional Group I-3Prisons, Detention CentersInstitutional Group I-4Adult or Child care facilitiesMercantile Group MDepartment or Drug Store, MarketsResidential Group R-1Hotels, Boarding HousesResidential Group R-2Apartments, Dormitories, Live/ Work UnitsResidential Group R-3Single family homes, Duplex homesResidential Group R-4Assisted living, Halfway Houses(Between 5 and 16 occupants)Storage Group S-1Storage of Books, Furniture, LumberStorage Group S-2Storage of Glass, Metals, FoodUtility and Miscellaneous Group UBarns, Carports, Sheds Below is much greater detail of each occupancy classification and more examples from the IBC. Assembly Group A (IBC Chapter 3, Section 303) Assembly Group A occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation. The codebook further breaks down Group A into smaller subgroups, A-1 through A-5. Exceptions: An assembly building or space with an occupant load of less than 50 persons or less than 750 square feet (70 square meters) shall be classified as a Group B occupancy. A room or space used for assembly purposes that is associated with a Group E occupancy is not considered a separate occupancy. Accessory religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums with occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space are not considered separate occupancies. Assembly Group A-1 Group A-1 occupancy includes assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts or motion pictures. Examples of IBC Assembly Group A-1 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Motion picture theatersSymphony and concert hallsTelevision and radio studios admitting an audienceTheaters Assembly Group A-2 Group A-2 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption. Examples of IBC Assembly Group A-2 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Banquet hallsCasinos (gaming areas)NightclubsRestaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities(including associated commercial kitchens) Taverns and bars Assembly Group A-3 Group A-3 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for worship, recreation or amusement and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group A. Examples of IBC Assembly Group A-3 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Amusement arcadesArt galleriesBowling alleysCommunity hallsCourtroomsDance halls (not including food or drink consumption)Exhibition hallsFuneral parlorsGreenhouses for the conservation and exhibition of plants that provide public access.Gymnasiums (without spectator seating)Indoor swimming pools (without spectator seating)Indoor tennis courts (without spectator seating)Lecture hallsLibrariesMuseumsPlaces of religious worshipPool and billiard parlorsWaiting areas in transportation terminals Assembly Group A-4 Group A-4 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for viewing of indoor sporting events and activities with spectator seating. Examples of IBC Assembly Group A-4 Occupancies include, but not limited to: ArenasSkating rinksSwimming poolsTennis courts Assembly Group A-5 Group A-5 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for participation in or viewing out-door activities. Examples of IBC Assembly Group A-5 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Amusement park structuresBleachersGrandstandsStadiums Business Group B (IBC Chapter 3, Section 304) Business Group B occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional or service-type transactions, including storage of records and accounts. Examples of IBC Business Group B Occupancies include, but not limited to: Airport traffic control towersAmbulatory care facilities Animal hospitals, kennels and poundsBanksBarber and beauty shopsCar washCivic administrationClinic, outpatientDry cleaning and laundries: pick-up and delivery stations and self-serviceEducational occupancies for students above the 12th gradeElectronic data processingFood processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities not more than 2,500 square feet (232 square meters) in area.Laboratories: testing and researchMotor vehicle showroomsPost officesPrint shopsProfessional services (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers, etc.)Radio and television stationsTelephone exchanges Training and skill development not in a school or academic program (this shall include, but not be limited to, tutoring centers, martial arts studios, gymnastics and similar uses regardless of the ages served, and where not classified as a Group A occupancy) Education Group E (IBC Chapter 3, Section 305) Educational Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, by six or more persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade. Examples of IBC Education Group E Occupancies include, but not limited to: Public and private K-12 schoolsReligious educational rooms (accessory to places of worship with 100 or more occupants) Religious auditoriums (accessory to places of worship with 100 or more occupants) Day care facilities (more than 5 children older than 2 ½ years of age) Factory Group F (IBC Chapter 3, Section 306) Factory Industrial Group F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair or processing operations that are not classified as a Group H hazardous or Group S storage occupancy. The codebook further breaks down Group F into two smaller subgroups, F-1 and F-2. Factory Group F-1 - Moderate-Hazard Factory Industrial Group F-1 occupancy includes all buildings that are not classified as F-2, low-hazard factory industrial. Examples of IBC Factory Group F-1 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Aircraft (manufacturing, not to include repair)AppliancesAthletic equipmentAutomobiles and other motor vehiclesBakeriesBeverages: over 16-percent alcohol contentBicyclesBoatsBrooms or brushesBusiness machinesCameras and photo equipmentCanvas or similar fabricCarpets and rugs (includes cleaning)ClothingConstruction and agricultural machineryDisinfectantsDry cleaning and dyeingElectric generation plantsElectronicsEngines (including rebuilding)Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities more than 2,500 square feet (232 square meters) in area.FurnitureHemp productsJute productsLaundriesLeather productsMachineryMetalsMillwork (sash and door)Motion pictures and television filming (without spectators)Musical instrumentsOptical goodsPaper mills or productsPhotographic filmPlastic productsPrinting or publishingRecreational vehiclesRefuse incinerationShoesSoaps and detergentsTextilesTobaccoTrailersUpholsteringWood; distillationWoodworking (cabinet) Factory Group F-2 - Low-Hazard Factory Industrial Group F-2 occupancy includes factory industrial uses that involve the fabrication or manufacturing of noncombustible materials that during finishing, packing or processing do not involve a significant fire hazard Examples of IBC Factory Group F-2 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Beverages: up to and including 16-percent alcohol contentBrick and masonryCeramic productsFoundriesGlass productsGypsumIceMetal products (fabrication and assembly) High-Hazard Group H (IBC Chapter 3, Section 307) High-hazard Group H occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that constitute a physical or health hazard in quantities in excess of those allowed in control areas. The codebook further breaks down Group F into five smaller subgroups, H-1 through H-5. Group H can be a very complicated group to navigate and it is recommended to contact your local Building Official for assistance. Exceptions: Hazardous materials stored, or used on top of roofs or canopies, shall be classified as outdoor storage or use and shall comply with the International Fire Code.An occupancy that stores, uses or handles hazardous materials as described in Section 307.1 shall not be classified as Group H, but shall be classified as the occupancy that it most nearly resembles. See Table 307.1 for Maximum Allowable Quantities for the hazardous material. The table gives guidance on what H group you fall into if the maximum allowable quantity is exceeded. Group H-1 - High-Hazard Detonation Group H-1 occupancy includes buildings and structures containing materials that pose a detonation hazard. Group H-2 - High-Hazard Deflagration or Accelerated Burning Group H-2 occupancy includes buildings and structures containing materials that pose a deflagration hazard or a hazard from accelerated . Group H-3 - High-Hazard Combustion or Physical Group H-3 occupancy includes buildings and structures containing materials that readily support combustion or that pose a physical hazard. Group H-4 - High-Hazard Health Group H-4 occupancy includes buildings and structures which contain materials that are health hazards. Group H-5 - High-Hazard Semiconductor, Research and Development Group H-5 occupancy includes semiconductor fabrication facilities and comparable research and development areas in which hazardous production materials are used and the aggregate quantity of materials is greater than the allowable quantities in table 307.1. Institutional Group I (IBC Chapter 3, Section 308) Institutional Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which people are cared for or live in a supervised environment, having physical limitations because of health or age are harbored for medical treatment or other care or treatment, or in which people are detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. The codebook further breaks down Group I into smaller subgroups, I-1 through I-4. Group I-1 - Institutional Personal Care Services Group I-1 occupancy includes buildings, structures or portions thereof for more than 16 persons who reside on a 24-hour basis in a supervised environment and receive custodial care. The persons receiving care are capable of self-preservation. Examples of IBC Institutional Group I-1 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Alcohol and drug centers Assisted living facilities Congregate care facilities Convalescent facilities Group homes Halfway houses Residential board and custodial care facilitiesSocial rehabilitation facilities Group I-2 - Institutional medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing or custodial care Group I-2 occupancy includes buildings used for medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing or custodial care for persons who are not capable of self-preservation Examples of IBC Institutional Group I-2 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Detoxification facilities Foster care facilities Hospitals Nursing homes Psychatric hospitals Group I-3 - Institutional restraint or security Group I-3 occupancy includes buildings and structures that are inhabited by more than five persons who are under restraint or security. An I-3 facility is occupied by persons who are generally incapable of self-preservation due to security measures not under the occupants' control. Examples of IBC Institutional Group I-3 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Correctional centers Detention centers Jails Pre-release centers Prisons Reformatories Group I-4 - Institutional care facilities Group I-4 occupancy includes buildings and structures occupied by persons of any age who receive custodial care for less than 24 hours by individuals other than parents or guardians, relatives by blood, marriage or adoption, and in a place other than the home of the person cared. Examples of IBC Institutional Group I-4 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Adult care facility Child care facility Education Group M (IBC Chapter 3, Section 309) Mercantile Group M occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure or a portion thereof, for the display and sale of merchandise and involves stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible to the public. Examples of IBC Mercantile Group M Occupancies include, but not limited to: Department storesDrug storesMarketsGreenhouses for display and sale of plants that provide public access.Motor fuel-dispensing facilitiesRetail or wholesale storesSales rooms Residential Group R (IBC Chapter 3, Section 310) Institutional Group R includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for sleeping purposes when not classified as an Institutional Group I. The codebook further breaks down Group R into smaller subgroups, R-1 through R-4. Residential Group R-1 Group R-1 occupancy containing sleeping units where the occupants are primarily transient in nature. Examples of IBC Residential Group R-1 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Apartment housesCongregate living facilities (nontransient) with more than 16 occupantsBoarding houses (nontransient)ConventsDormitoriesFraternities and sororitiesMonasteriesHotels (nontransient)Live/work unitsMotels (nontransient)Vacation timeshare properties Residential Group R-2 Group R-2 occupancy containing sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature. Examples of IBC Residential Group R-2 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Apartment housesCongregate living facilities (nontransient) with more than 16 occupantsBoarding houses (nontransient)ConventsDormitoriesFraternities and sororitiesMonasteriesHotels (nontransient)Live/work unitsMotels (nontransient)Vacation timeshare properties Residential Group R-3 Group R-3 occupancy is buildings where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2, R-4 or I. Examples of IBC Residential Group R-3 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Adult or Child care facilities (five or fewer persons of any age for less than 24 hours) Congregate living facilities (16 or fewer persons) Boarding housesConventsDormitoriesFraternities and sororitiesMonasteriesDuplex dwelling units Single family dwelling units Residential Group R-4 Group R-4 occupancy includes buildings where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and are arranged for, more than 5 but not more than 16 persons, excluding staff, who reside on a 24 hour basis in a supervised environment and receive custodial care. The persons receiving care are capable of self-preservation. Examples of IBC Residential Group R-4 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Alcohol and drug centers Assisted living facilities Congregate care facilities Convalescent facilities Group homes Halfway houses Residential board and custodial care facilities Social rehabilitation facilities Storage Group S (IBC Chapter 3, Section 311) Institutional Group S includes buildings for storage that is not classified as a hazardous occupancy. The codebook further breaks down Group S into two smaller subgroups, S-1 and S-2. Storage Group S-1 - Moderate-hazard Group S-1 occupancy containing buildings occupied for storage uses that are not classified in Group S-2. Examples of IBC Storage Group S-1 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Aerosols, Levels 2 and 3 Aircraft hangar Bags: cloth, burlap and paper Bamboos and rattan Baskets Belting: canvas and leather Books and paper in rolls or packs Boots and shoesButtons Cardboard and cardboard boxes Clothing Cordage Dry boat storage Furniture Furs Glues, mucilage, pastes and size GrainsHorns and combs Leather Linoleum Lumber Mattresses Motor vehicle repair garages Photo engravings Resilient flooring Silks Soaps Sugar Tires Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and snuff Upholstery Wax candles Storage Group S-2 - Low-hazard Group S-2 occupancy includes buildings used for the storage of noncombustible materials such as products on wood pallets or in paper cartons with or without single thickness divisions; or in paper wrappings. Such products are permitted to have a negligible amount of plastic trim, such as knobs, handles or film wrapping. Examples of IBC Storage Group S-2 Occupancies include, but not limited to: Asbestos Beverages up to and including 16-percent alcohol in metal, glass or ceramic containers Cement in bags Chalk and crayons Dairy products in nonwaxed coated paper containers Dry cell batteries Electrical coils Electrical motors Empty cans Food products Foods in noncombustible containers Fresh fruits and vegetables in nonplastic trays or containers Frozen foods Glass Glass bottles, empty or filled with noncombustible liquids Gypsum board Inert pigments Ivory Meats Metal cabinets Metal desks with plastic tops and trim Metal parts Metals Mirrors Oil-filled and other types of distribution transformers Parking garages, open or enclosed Porcelain and pottery Stoves Talc and soapstones Washers and dryers Utility and Miscellaneous Group U (IBC Chapter 3, Section 312) Utility Group U occupancy includes buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy. Examples of IBC Utility Group U Occupancies include, but not limited to: Agricultural buildings Barns Carports Fences more than 6 feet high Greenhouses (not classified as another occupancy)Livestock shelters Private garages Residential aircraft hangars Residential grain silosRetaining walls Sheds Stables Tanks Towers Related Questions What if my building does not match an exact Occupany Group Classification? When a building’s usage purpose does not fit neatly into one of the prescribed groups the IBC tells us that the structure shall be classified “in the occupancy it most nearly resembles based on fire safety and relative hazard.” Although it is typically the Architect’s responsibility to determine the Occupancy Classification, it should be remembered that the ultimately the Building Official will make the final call. However if the code official makes a determination that you do not agree with there are means for appealing the decision. What if my building has mixed use? Buildings, such as a mall (with restaurants, shops, and maybe even a hotel) that have more than one occupancy group intended are called mixed occupancy buildings. Section 508 of the IBC has guidelines on Mixed Use Buildings and establishes guidelines for allowable height, area of the building, and separation. Can you change a building’s Occupancy Classification? Yes, you can change a building’s Occupancy Classification and you should do so if the buildings use is changing. Your architect or engineer will need to submit to the city, county or other jurisdiction and request the change. Typically this includes the design professional creating new stamped and sealed drawings and will typically require a permit from the building department. The drawings should at a minimum, include a building code analysis sheet, site plan, floor plans of each level, stair details, and cross sections to illustrate wall types, insulation, ceiling heights and the relationship to the outside grade and interior floor elevations. You should keep a few things in mind when changing an occupancy. The change may trigger some code-required upgrades such as accessibility improvements, seismic upgrades, and some life safety improvements such as fire sprinklers and/ or rated wall partitions. In addition, you find that the code requires more parking for your new occupancy and you simply may not have the space required to add the additional parking.