Interpretation #6780

Published June 23, 2011

Original Request

Code Version: 2007
Code: BUILDING
Code Description: Building
Chapter: 7
Section: 708.1
Topic: Tenant Separation

Question

Is it the intent of Section 708.1, Exception #1 to allow adjacent tenant spaces without requiring a separation wall between them to be fire rated providing the total area of the spaces does not exceed 3,000 s.f. and to allow this exception in any Group B occupancy, whether the building is a single classification of Group B or mixed classification?

Answer Published 06/23/2011 at 1:48 PM

Yes. As long as the tenants are both Group B and the total
combined square footage of the two tenants does not exceed
3,000 square feet, no tenant separate is required under
708.1.

Commentary

It is immaterial that there are other occupancy groups outside of the 3,000 square foot area. The only adjacent tenant spaces that may benefit from 708.1.7 ex.1 are Group B and S Occupancies.