UNDERSTANDING OCCUPANCY

CLASSIFICATIONS
In Accordance with IBC,2018 & NFPA 101, LSC

Mehboob Shaikh
M. Tech | B.Eng. | AMIE | CFPS | CFI
 Occupancy Classification
The ICC codes and the NFPA codes divide the occupancy classifications slightly differently. However,
the 10 most common occupancy classifications used throughout the various building and life safety
codes.
▪ Assembly occupancies
▪ Business occupancies
▪ Educational occupancies
▪ Factory or Industrial occupancies Pretty Straightforward
▪ Hazardous occupancies right…..?
▪ Institutional occupancies
▪ Mercantile occupancies
▪ Residential occupancies
Not Really..!!!
▪ Storage occupancies
▪ Utility or Miscellaneous occupancies
Three things must be known before the
occupancy classification can be accurately
determined.
1. Type of Activity occurring.
2. Expected Number of occupants
3. Whether any unusual Hazards or risk factors are present.
Example : Activity Effect
• A television Studio : Business Occupancy
• A television Studio with audience viewing : Assembly Occupancy
Example : Number Effect
• A day Care Centre serving fewer than 5 : Residential Occupancy
• A day Care Centre serving more than 5 : Institutional or Educational
Occupancy
Example : Hazard Effect
• A small amount of paint can be stored in any occupancy. However, in
large amounts paint storage would be considered a Hazardous use.
• Low light levels, low awareness or mental capacity, restricted
movement due to security, and similar characteristics can create
potentially unsafe situations
Example : Risk Factor Effect
✓Number of occupants (a large group versus a small gathering)
✓If occupants are at rest or sleeping
✓Alertness of the occupants (considers mental capabilities and inherent
distractions caused by the activities going on in the space)
✓ Mobility of the occupants (considers physical abilities, age, and security
measures)
✓Familiarity of occupants with the space or building
✓Typical characteristics of the space used for a particular activity (includes
fixed seating and aisles, light Levels, noise levels, etc.)
✓Potential for spread of fire (due to airborne flammable particles, storage of
hazardous materials, combustible finishes, decoration or contents, etc.)
 Comparison of Occupancy Classifications
Occupancy ICC NFPA
Classification International Building Code Life Safety Code and NFPA 5000
ASSEMBLY A-1 Assembly, Theaters (Fixed Seats) A - Assembly (variations noted by occupant
A-2 Assembly, Food and/or Drink Consumption load)
A-3 Assembly, Worship, Recreation, Amusement
A-4 Assembly, Indoor Sporting Events
A-5 Assembly, Outdoor Activities
BUSINESS B- Business B –Business
AHC- Ambulatory Health Care
EDUCATIONAL E- Educational (includes some day care) E- Educational

FACTORY/INDS F-1 Factory Industrial, Moderate Hazard I- Industrial, General

F-2 Factory Industrial, Low Hazard Industrial, Special Purpose Industrial,
High Hazard
HAZARDOUS H-1 Hazardous, Detonation Hazard (Included in Group I)
H-2 Hazardous, Deflagration Hazard or Accelerated Burning
H-3 Hazardous, Physical or Combustible Hazard
H-4 Hazardous, Health Hazard
H-5 Hazardous, Hazardous Production Materials (HPM)
INSTITUTIONAL I-1 Institutional, Custodial Care OL* >16 D-I Detentional/Correctional (includes various
I-2 Institutional, Medical Care sub-conditions I-V)
I-3 Institutional, Restrained (includes various Sub-conditions I-5) H- Health Care
I-4 Institutional, Day Care Facilities DC -Day Care
 Comparison of Occupancy Classifications
Occupancy ICC NFPA
Classification International Building Code Life Safety Code and NFPA 5000
MERCANTILE M Mercantile M-A Mercantile, > 3 levels or > 30,000 SF (2800
SM)
M-B Mercantile, ≤ 3 stories or > 3000 SF (280
SM) and ≤ 30,000 SF (2800 SM)
M-C Mercantile, 1 story ≤ 3000 SF (280 SM)
RESIDENTIAL R-1 Residential, Transient R- Residential, Hotels and Dormitories
R-2 Residential, Multi-Dwelling Unit Residential, Apartment Buildings
R-3 Residential, One and Two Dwelling Units Residential, Lodging or Rooming Houses
R-4 Residential, Care and Assisted Living Residential, One- and Two-Family Dwellings
Facilities OL > 5 ≤16 Residential, Board and Care
STORAGE S-1 Storage, Moderate Hazard S Storage
S-2 Storage, Low Hazard
UTILITY/ U Utility and Miscellaneous Special Structures and High-Rise
MISCELLANEOUS Buildings
 How to Handle Multiple
Occupancies ..?
Non Hazardous Office
Storage B Check if it is Horizontally or
S1 3,500 SF
vertically Mixed…?
5,000 SF

Office Space
Retail Store
B
M
3,000 SF
60,500 SF
Large Restaurant Card Shop
A M
2,300 SF 1,200 SF

Plan B – Vertical Mixed

Plan A – Horizontal Mixed

 How to Handle Multiple
Occupancies ..?
As Described by IBC/NFPA

In the IBC , the use cannot exceed 10% of the building These spaces include boiler rooms, furnace rooms, large
area of the floor on which it is located. Incidental use laundry rooms, and other spaces containing hazardous
items or machinery

In this case, the smaller occupancy(ies) may be Check which one of this or
considered an accessory occupancy by the codes Accessory
combination is applicable…?

Non-Separated
Separated Mixed Mixed
Mixed
 How to Handle Multiple
Occupancies ..?
Accessory
occupancy (no Design
separation from Center
main occupancy) B
850 SF

Preschool
(Classrooms + offices) Furniture
E Store
Main Occupancy
5,000 SF (9000 SF)
M

Incidental
occupancy
Laundry (separation or fire
120 SF Protection
required from
main occupancy)

Plan A – Incidental Plan B – Accessory

 How to Handle Multiple
Occupancies ..?
ContructionType -VB

Warehouse
Snack S-1
Bar 9500 SF
(5600
SF)
Why this Warehouse can’t be considered as an accessory to
Discount Store
electronic store although its less than 10% in area …?
M
Hair
135,000 SF
Salon Its exceeding allowable area for this construction type !!!
(800 SF) Electronic
Photo
Shop Store
(350 SF) (98,000 SF)
M
Bakery
(350 SF)

Plan A – Multiple accessory Plan B – No Accessory

 How to Handle Multiple
Occupancies
Requirement based on
..? Requirement based on
mercantile occupancies main occupancy (A-2)
(M)

2 hours rated wall to

Shoe Store Post office separate occupancies
B Large Restaurant Gift
M Shop
4,500 SF A-2
4,500 SF M
8,000 SF
850 SF

Non-Rated wall
for visual reasons Secondary
Requirement based on
only occupancies
business occupancies (B)

Plan A – Separated Mixed Occupancies Plan B – Non-Separated Mixed Occupancies

Fire Area Application Option

FIRE AREA
“A”
Group S-1
10,000 sq. ft
3-Hour Fire Barrier
Warehouse
S-1
20,000 SF

FIRE AREA
“B”
IBC,2018 Section 903.2.9 A sprinkler system is required if Group S-1
a Group S-1 fire area exceeds 12,000 sq. ft. 10,000 sq. ft

OPTION A OPTION B
Fire area > 12,000 sq. ft., Each fire area < 12,000
therefore, sprinkler sq. ft., therefore, sprinkler
system is required system is not required
THANK YOU