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Interpretation #5527

Original Request

  • Date: January 28, 2008
  • Requested By: David Sorenson
  • Requester E-Mail: dsorenson@genesisarch.com
  • Code Version: 2004
  • Code: BUILDING
  • Code Description: Building
  • Chapter: 10
  • Section: 1016.1
  • Topic: Occupancy classification

  • Question: Is it the intent of Table 1016.1 that the occupancy group classiciation is meant for the 'building' or for the individual space? For instance I have a group B buidling which in turn has an assembly room which contains more than 30 occupants - am I therefore required to provide a rated corridor simply for this assembly occupancy? Comment: The IBC states that Group A occupcanices are exempt from reated corridors when the building is equipped with an NFPA 13 system throughout. Even your Group E has an exception to allow smoke partitions if sprinkled.

Answer on 01/28/2008 at 9:11 AM

Yes and/or no, depending upon additional information,
layout, and so on. Please refer to the attached commentary.

Commentary:

First, you need to determine if this is an assembly occupancy or business, or mixed, and then separated, non- separated or accessory before you can use table 1016.1. To do this look at section 303.1 this defines assembly occupancy. If the space is less than 750 sq ft and less than 50 occupants it is not an assembly occupancy. If you have a building classified as Business and have a small conference room within that space that room has to meet exiting criteria (# of exit access, travel within the area, etc) however, the building, if meeting the requirements, would not have to have the corridors serving that room rated. However, if you have a building classified as business and an area within the building that is classified as assembly and there are corridors within that assembly area, Yes. Because those corridors are specific to that area, they would have to be rated. right or wrong, layout is important Further, the corridor shall be rated based on the occupancy of the space or building depending partially on the layout. Based on section 1004.9 for multiple occupancies in the same building which reads: 1004.9 Multiple occupancies. Where a building contains two or more occupancies, the means of egress requirements shall apply to each portion of the building based on the occupancy of that space. Where two or more occupancies utilize portions of the same means of egress system, those egress components shall meet the more stringent requirements of all occupancies that are served. Corridors serving at least the area of the assembly occupancy would need to be rated to comply with Table 1016.1 and if both occupancies share the same means of egress then it would need to comply with the most stringent requirements which would be the assembly occupancy requirements.