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Interpretation #6487

Original Request

  • Date: April 13, 2010
  • Requested By: Jim Paleveda
  • Requester E-Mail: jpaleveda@quorumservices.com
  • Code Version: 2007
  • Code: BUILDING
  • Code Description: Building
  • Chapter: 4
  • Section: 423.8.1.2
  • Topic: Occupancy Classification

  • Question: Is it the intent of Florida Building Code - Building Section 423.8.1.2 to classify classrooms for 7th and 8th grade students located on the campus of a community college as a business or assembly occupancy?

Answer on 04/13/2010 at 3:47 PM

Neither. A community college is classified as a Business
occupancy per Florida Building Code - Building Section
304.1. Florida Building Code - Building Section 305.1 states
that an 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. The use of any
portion of a community college building by students below
the 12th grade would be considered a change of occupancy.
Further, the Exception under Florida Building Code -
Existing Building Section 101.2 states that "For the purpose
of public educational facilities and state licensed
facilities, see Chapter 4, Special Occupancy, of the Florida
Building Code, Building" and as such, the use must
comply with the requirements of FBC - Building Section 423
and the State Requirements for Educational Facilities,
(SREF) per Florida State Statute 1013.

Commentary:

In addition to the change of occupancy, consider that the conversion of a portion of a community college building to an Educational occupancy would most likely result in a mixed occupancy building. FBC - Building Section 508 requires fire separation between the educational and business occupancies or requires the entire building to be constructed as a non-separated occupancy. See FBC - Building Sections 508..3.2 and 508.3.3 for additional information.