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Interpretation #8315

Original Request

  • Date: August 23, 2019
  • Requested By: David Plank
  • Requester E-Mail: dplank@acs-architects.com
  • Code Version: 2017
  • Code: BUILDING
  • Code Description:
  • Chapter: CHAPTER 10
  • Section: Table 1004.1.2
  • Topic: Mercantile Occupant Load

  • Question: There appears to be a conflict in the occupant load for mercantile occupancies between the Florida Building Code (60 sf/person) and the Florida Fire Prevention Code, 6th ed., Table 7.3.1.2 (30 sf/person on ground floor). Which is the correct occupant load for ground floor mercantile occupancy under the current versions of the Florida codes?

Answer on 08/23/2019 at 3:29 PM

Both. You have to take each code and review separately for the applicable code provisions of Mercantile use.
Yes, there is a difference of occupant load calculation. Please see the attached commentary

Commentary:

On plans being submitted, often times the designer breaks up the code summary into two charts. One for FBC and one for FFPC. There is no conflict between the FBC and FFPC if you can meet both requirements. If there was a conflict and you could not meet both requirements, then you would use the conflict resolution listed above in the code which requires the use of the one providing the highest degree of life safety. In the case of the mercantile, it comes down to how occupants are determined and sprinkler and other requirements. Based on a conversation with a Fire Protection Specialist, it all works out to be the same at the end of a review. There is no true conflict, just a different way of review.