Section 203 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

[BG] 203.1 Occupancy classification. Occupancy classification is the formal designation of the primary purpose of the building, structure or portion thereof. Structures shall be classified into one or more of the occupancy groups specified in this section based on the nature of the hazards and risks to building occupants generally associated with the intended purpose of the building or structure. An area, room or space that is intended to be occupied at different times for different purposes shall comply with all applicable requirements associated with such potential multipurpose. Structures containing multiple occupancy groups shall comply with Section 508 of the California Building Code . Where a structure is proposed for a purpose that is not specified in this section, such structure shall be classified in the occupancy it most nearly resembles based on the fire safety and relative hazard. Occupiable roofs shall be classified in the group that the occupancy most nearly resembles, according to the fire safety and relative hazard, and shall comply with Section 503.1.4 of the California Building Code .

1. Assembly: Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5.

2. Business: Group B.

3. Educational: Group E.

4. Factory and Industrial: Groups F-1 and F-2.

5. High Hazard: Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5.

6. Institutional: Groups I-1, I-2, I-3 and I-4.

7. Mercantile: Group M.

8. Residential: Groups R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4.

9. Storage: Groups S-1 and S-2.

10. Utility and Miscellaneous: Group U.

[BG] 203.1.1 Use designation. Occupancy groups contain subordinate uses having similar hazards and risks to building occupants. Uses include, but are not limited to, those functional designations specified within the occupancy group descriptions in Section 203.1. Certain uses require specific limitations and controls in accordance with the provisions of this code and Chapter 4 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.2 Assembly Group A. Assembly Group A occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation or Motion Picture and Television Production Studio Sound Stages, Approved Production Facilities and produc- tion locations. Any building or structure or portion thereof used or intended to be used for the showing of motion pictures when an admission fee is charged and when such building or structure is open to the public and has a capacity of 10 or more persons.

[BG] 203.2.1 Small buildings and tenant spaces. A building or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons shall be classified as a Group B occupancy.

[BG] 203.2.2 Small assembly spaces. The following rooms and spaces shall not be classified as Assembly occupancies:

1. A room or space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons and accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of that occupancy.
2. A room or space used for assembly purposes that is less than 750 square feet (70 m [2] ) in area and accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of that occupancy.

[BG] 203.2.3 Associated with Group E occupancies. A room or space used for assembly purposes that is associated with a Group E occupancy is not considered a separate occupancy.

[BG] 203.2.4 Accessory to places of religious worship. Accessory religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums with occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space are not considered separate occupancies.

[BG] 203.2.5 Special amusement areas. Special amusement areas shall comply with Section 411 of the California Building Code

[BG] 203.2.6 Assembly Group A-1. Group A-1 occupancy includes assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts or motion pictures, including but not limited to:

Motion picture and television production studio Sound Stages, Approved Production Facilities and production locations. (With live audiences.)

Motion picture theaters

Symphony and concert halls

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DEFINITIONS

Television and radio studios admitting an audience

Theaters

[BG] 203.2.7 Assembly Group A-2. Group A-2 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption, including but not limited to:

Banquet halls

Casinos (gaming areas)

Nightclubs

Restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities (including associated commercial kitchens)

Taverns and bars

[BG] 203.2.8 Assembly Group A-3. Group A-3 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for worship, recreation or amusement and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group A, including but not limited to:

Amusement arcades

Art galleries

Bowling alleys

Community halls

Courtrooms

Dance halls (not including food or drink consumption)

Exhibition halls

Funeral parlors

Greenhouses for the conservation and exhibition of plants that provide public access

Gymnasiums (without spectator seating)

Indoor swimming pools (without spectator seating)

Indoor tennis courts (without spectator seating)

Lecture halls

Libraries

Museums

Places of religious worship

Pool and billiard parlors

Waiting areas in transportation terminals

[BG] 203.2.9 Assembly Group A-4. Group A-4 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for viewing of indoor sporting events and activities with spectator seating, including but not limited to:

Arenas

Skating rinks

Swimming pools

Tennis courts

[BG] 203.2.10 Assembly Group A-5. Group A-5 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for participation in or viewing outdoor activities, including but not limited to:

Amusement park structures

Bleachers

Fixed guideway transit systems. [SFM] Fixed guideway transit system buildings shall conform to the requirements of this code for their occupancy classification in addition to the provisions set forth in Section 443 of the California Building Code.

Grandstands

Stadiums

Subterranean spaces for winery facilities in natural or manmade caves. [SFM] For fire and life safety requirements, see Section 446 of the California Building Code.

[BG] 203.3 Business Group B. Business Group B occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional or service-type transactions, including storage of records and accounts. Business occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Airport traffic control towers

Ambulatory care facilities

Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds

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DEFINITIONS

Banks

Barber and beauty shops

Car wash

Civic administration

Clinic-outpatient

Dry cleaning and laundries: pick-up and delivery stations and self-service

Educational occupancies for students above the 12th grade, including higher education laboratories

Electronic data entry

Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities not more than 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area.

Laboratories: testing and research and [SFM] instruction.

Lithium-ion or lithium metal battery testing, research and development

Motor vehicle showrooms

Post offices

Print shops

Professional services (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers, etc.)

Radio and television stations

Telephone exchanges

Training and skill development not in a school or academic program (This shall include, but not be limited to, tutoring centers, martial arts studios, gymnastics and similar uses regardless of the ages served, and where not classified as a Group A occupancy.)

[BG] 203.3.1 Airport traffic control towers. Airport traffic control towers shall comply with Section 412.2 of the California Build- ing Code .

[BG] 203.3.2 Ambulatory care facilities. Ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Section 422 of the California Building Code .

Group C (CAMPS, ORGANIZED). An organized camp is a site with programs and facilities established for the primary purpose of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational or recreational objectives, for five days or more during one or more seasons of the year. See California Building Code Section 450, Group C occupancy.

[BG] 203.3.3 Higher education laboratories. Higher education laboratories shall comply with Section 428 of the California Build- ing Code .

[BG] 203.4 Educational Group E. Educational Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, more than six persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.

Exception: A residence used as a home school for the children who normally reside at the residence. Such residences shall remain classified as Group R-2, or Group R-3 occupancies.

[BG] 203.4.1 Accessory to places of religious worship. Religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums, which are accessory to places of religious worship in accordance with Section 303.1.4 of the California Building Code and have occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space shall be classified as Group A-3 occupancies.

[BG] 203.4.2 Group E, child- care facilities. This group includes buildings and structures or portions thereof occupied by more than six children 36 months of age and older who receive educational, supervision or personal care services for fewer than 24 hours per day.

Exception: [SFM] A child-care facility not otherwise classified as a Group R-3 occupancy, where occupants are not capable of responding to an emergency situation without physical assistance from the staff shall be classified as Group I-4. Infants and toddlers are allowed in a Group E child care when the requirements of California Fire Code Section 203.4.2.1, 203.4.2.2, 203.4.2.3, or 203.7.4.1 are met.

[BG] 203.4.2.1 Within places of religious worship. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such day care during religious functions shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy where not licensed for child-care purposes by the Department of Social Services.

[BG] 203.4.2.2 Five or fewer children. A facility having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.

[BG] 203.4.2.3 Five or fewer children in a dwelling unit. A facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall comply with the California Residen- tial Code .

[BG] 203.4.3 Storm shelters in Group E occupancies. Storm shelters shall be provided for Group E occupancies where required by Section 423.4 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.5 Factory Industrial Group F. Factory Industrial Group F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair or processing operations that are not classified as a Group H hazardous or Group S storage occupancy.

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DEFINITIONS

[BG] 203.5.1 Moderate-hazard factory industrial, Group F-1. Factory industrial uses that are not classified as Factory Industrial F-2 Low Hazard shall be classified as F-1 Moderate Hazard and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Aircraft (manufacturing, not to include repair)

Appliances

Athletic equipment

Automobiles and other motor vehicles

Bakeries

Beverages: over 20-percent alcohol content

Bicycles

Boats

Brooms or brushes

Business machines

Cameras and photo equipment

Canvas or similar fabric

Carpets and rugs (includes cleaning)

Clothing

Construction and agricultural machinery

Disinfectants

Dry cleaning and dyeing

Electric generation plants

Electronics

Energy storage systems (ESS) in dedicated use buildings

Energy storage systems (ESS) and equipment containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries

Engines (including rebuilding)

Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities more than 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) in area

Furniture

Hemp products

Jute products

Laundries

Leather products

Lithium-ion batteries

Machinery

Metals

Millwork (sash and door)

Motion picture and television production studio Sound Stages, Approved Production Facilities and production locations (without live audiences)

Motion pictures and television filming (without spectators)

Musical instruments

Optical goods

Paper mills or products

Photographic film

Plastic products

Printing or publishing

Recreational vehicles

Refuse incineration

Shoes

Soaps and detergents

Textiles

Tobacco

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DEFINITIONS

Trailers

Upholstering

Vehicles powered by lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries

Water/sewer treatment facilities

Wood; distillation

Woodworking (cabinet)

[BG] 203.5.1.1 Aircraft manufacturing facilities. Aircraft manufacturing facilities shall comply with Section 412.6 of the Cali- fornia Building Code .

[BG] 203.5.2 Low-hazard factory industrial, Group F-2. Factory industrial uses that involve the fabrication or manufacturing of noncombustible materials that during finishing, packing or processing does not involve a significant fire hazard shall be classified as Group F-2 occupancies and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Beverages: up to and including 20-percent alcohol content

Brick and masonry

Ceramic products

Foundries

Glass products

Gypsum

Ice

Metal products (fabrication and assembly)

High-hazard Group H occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that constitute a physical or health hazard in quantities in excess of those allowed in control areas complying with Section 5003.8.3, based on the maximum allowable quantity limits for control areas set forth in Tables 5003.1.1(1) and 5003.1.1(2). Hazardous occupancies are classified in Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5 and shall be in accordance with this code and the requirements of Section 415 of the California Building Code . Hazardous materials stored or used on top of roofs or canopies shall be classified as rooftop storage or use and shall comply with this code.

203.6.1. Occupancy exemptions. Storage, use and handling of hazardous materials in accordance with Table 307.1.1 of the Cali- fornia Building Code shall not be counted as contributing to maximum allowable quantities and shall not cause classification of an occupancy to be Group H. Such storage, use and handling shall comply with applicable provisions of this code.

203.6.2 Hazardous materials. Hazardous materials in any quantity shall conform to the requirements of this code and Section 414 of the California Building Code .

203.6.3 High-hazard Group H-1. Buildings and structures containing materials that pose a detonation hazard shall be classified as Group H-1. Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Detonable pyrophoric materials

Explosives:

Division 1.1

Division 1.2

Division 1.3

Division 1.4

Division 1.5

Division 1.6

Organic peroxides, unclassified detonable

Oxidizers, Class 4

Unstable (reactive) materials, Class 3 detonable and Class 4

203.6.3.1 Occupancies containing explosives not classified as H-1. The following occupancies containing explosive materials shall be classified as follows:

1. Division 1.3 explosive materials that are used and maintained in a form where either confinement or configuration will not elevate the hazard from a mass fire to mass explosion hazard shall be allowed in Group H-2 occupancies.
2. Division 1.4 explosive materials shall be allowed in Group H-3 occupancies.
3. Articles, including articles packaged for shipment, that are not regulated as a Division 1.4 explosive under Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulations, or unpackaged articles used in process operations that do not propagate a detonation or deflagration between articles shall be allowed in Group H-3 occupancies.

203.6.4 High-hazard Group H-2. Buildings and structures containing materials that pose a deflagration hazard or a hazard from accelerated burning shall be classified as Group H-2. Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

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DEFINITIONS

Class I, II or IIIA flammable or combustible liquids that are used or stored in normally open containers or systems, or in closed containers or systems pressurized at more than 15 pounds per square inch gauge (103.4 kPa)

Combustible dusts where manufactured, generated or used in such a manner that the concentration and conditions create a fire or explosion hazard based on information prepared in accordance with Section 414.1.3 of the California Building Code.

Cryogenic fluids, flammable

Category 1A flammable gases

Category 1B flammable gases having a burning velocity greater than 3.9 inches per second (99 mm/s)

Organic peroxides, Class I

Oxidizers, Class 3, that are used or stored in normally open containers or systems, or in closed containers or systems pressurized at more than 15 pounds per square inch gauge (103 kPa)

Pyrophoric liquids, solids and gases, nondetonable

Unstable (reactive) materials, Class 3, nondetonable

Water-reactive materials, Class 3

203.6.5 High-hazard Group H-3. Buildings and structures containing materials that readily support combustion or that pose a physical hazard shall be classified as Group H-3. Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Class I, II or IIIA flammable or combustible liquids that are used or stored in normally closed containers or systems pressurized at 15 pounds per square inch gauge (103.4 kPa) or less

Combustible fibers, other than densely packed baled cotton, where manufactured, generated or used in such a manner that the concentration and conditions create a fire or explosion hazard based on information prepared in accordance with Section 414.1.3 of the California Building Code

Consumer fireworks, 1.4G (Class C, Common)

Cryogenic fluids, oxidizing

Category 1B flammable gases having a burning velocity of 3.9 inches per second (99 mm/s) or less

Flammable solids

Organic peroxides, Class II and III

Oxidizers, Class 2

Oxidizers, Class 3, that are used or stored in normally closed containers or systems pressurized at 15 pounds per square inch gauge (103 kPa) or less

Oxidizing gases

Unstable (reactive) materials, Class 2

Water-reactive materials, Class 2

203.6.6 High-hazard Group H-4. Buildings and structures containing materials that are health hazards shall be classified as Group H-4. Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Corrosives

Highly toxic materials

Toxic materials

203.6.7 High-hazard Group H-5. Semiconductor fabrication facilities and comparable research and development areas in which hazardous production materials (HPM) are used and the aggregate quantity of materials is in excess of those specified in Tables 5003.1.1(1) and 5003.1.1(2) shall be classified as Group H-5. Such facilities and areas shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section 415.11 of the California Building Code .

203.6.8 Multiple hazards. Buildings and structures containing a material or materials representing hazards that are classified in one or more of Groups H-1, H-2, H-3 and H-4 shall conform to the code requirements for each of the occupancies so classified.

[BG] 203.7 Institutional Group I. Institutional Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which care or supervision is provided to persons who are or are incapable of self-preservation without physical assistance or in which persons are detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall be classified as Group I-2, I-3 or I-4. Restraint shall not be permitted in any building except in Group I-2 occupancies constructed for such use in accordance with Section 407.1.1 of the California Building Code and Group I-3 occupancies constructed for such use, in accordance with Section 408.1.2 of the California Building Code.

Where occupancies house both ambulatory and nonambulatory persons, the more restrictive requirements shall apply.

[BG] 203.7.1 Institutional Group I-1. Not used. (See Group R-2.1 or Section 310.1 of the California Building Code)

[BG] 203.7.2 Institutional Group I-2. Institutional Group I-2 occupancy shall include buildings and structures used for medical care on a 24-hour basis for more than five persons who are incapable of self-preservation or classified as nonambulatory or bedrid- den . This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Foster care facilities

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DEFINITIONS

Detoxification facilities

Hospitals

Nursing homes

Psychiatric hospitals

[BG] 203.7.2.1 Occupancy conditions. Buildings of Group I-2 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Sections 203.7.2.1.1 and 203.7.2.1.2 and shall comply with Section 407 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.7.2.1.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall include facilities that provide nursing and medical care but do not provide emergency care, surgery, obstetrics or in-patient stabilization units for psychiatric or detoxification, including but not limited to nursing homes and foster care facilities.

[BG] 203.7.2.1.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall include facilities that provide nursing and medical care and could provide emergency care, surgery, obstetrics or in-patient stabilization units for psychiatric or detoxification, including but not limited to hospitals.

[BG] 203.7.2.2 Five or fewer persons receiving medical care. A facility with five or fewer persons receiving medical care shall be classified as Group R-3 .1 or shall comply with the California Residential Code provided an automatic sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 of this code or Section R313 of the California Residential Code .

[BG] 203.7.3 Institutional Group I-3. Institutional Group I-3 occupancy shall include buildings or portions of buildings and structures that are inhabited by one or more persons who are under restraint or security. A Group I-3 facility is occupied by persons who are generally incapable of self-preservation due to security measures not under the occupants’ control which includes persons restrained . This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Correctional centers

Courthouse holding facilities

Detention centers

Detention treatment rooms

Jails

Juvenile halls

Prerelease centers

Prisons

Reformatories

Secure interview rooms

Temporary holding facilities

Buildings of Group I-3 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Sections 203.7.3.1 through 203.7.3.5 and shall comply with Section 408 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.7.3.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed from sleeping areas and other spaces where access or occupancy is permitted to the exterior via means of egress without restraint. A Condition 1 facility is permitted to be constructed as Group R.

[BG] 203.7.3.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed from sleeping areas and any other occupied smoke compartment to one or more other smoke compartments. Egress to the exterior is impeded by locked exits.

[BG] 203.7.3.3 Condition 3. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed within individual smoke compartments, such as within a residential unit comprised of individual sleeping units and group activity spaces, where egress is impeded by remote-controlled release of means of egress from such smoke compartment to another smoke compartment.

[BG] 203.7.3.4 Condition 4. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Remote-controlled release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments.

[BG] 203.7.3.5 Condition 5. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Staff-controlled manual release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments.

203.7.3.6 Condition 6. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing only one temporary holding facility with five or less persons under restraint or security where the building is protected throughout with a monitored automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and where the temporary holding facility is protected throughout with an automatic fire alarm system with notification appliances. A Condition 6 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy.

e or_ less persons under restraint or security where the building is protected throughout with a monitored automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and where the temporary holding facility is protected throughout with an automatic fire alarm system with notification appliances. A Condition 6 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy.

203.7.3.7 Condition 7. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing only one temporary holding facility with nine or less persons under restraint or security where limited to the first or second story, provided the building complies with Section 408.1.2.6 of the California Building Code. A Condition 7 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy.

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DEFINITIONS

203.7.3.8 Condition 8. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing not more than four secure interview rooms located within the same fire area where not more than six occupants under restraint are located in the same fire area. A Condition 8 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy, provided the requirements in Section 408.1.2.7 of the Califor- nia Building Code are met.

[BG] 203.7.4 Institutional Group I-4, day care facilities. Institutional Group I-4 shall include buildings and structures occupied by more than six clients of any age who receive custodial care for fewer than 24 hours by persons other than parents or guardians, relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption, and in a place other than the home of the clients cared for. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Adult day care

Child day care (not classified as a Group E)

[BG] 203.7.4.1 Classification as Group E. A child day care facility that provides care for more than six but not more than 100 children under 36 months of age, where the rooms in which the children are cared for are located on a level of exit discharge serving such rooms and each of these child care rooms have an exit door directly to the exterior, shall be classified as Group E.

Special provisions. See Section 452.1.4 of the California Building Code for child-care locations above or below the first story.

[BG] 203.7.4.2 Within a place of religious worship. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such care during religious functions shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.

[BG] 203.7.4.3 Five or fewer persons receiving care. A facility having five or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.

[BG] 203.7.4.4 Five or fewer persons receiving care in a dwelling unit. A facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and having five or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall comply with the Cali- fornia Residential Code .

[BG] 203.8 Mercantile Group M. Mercantile Group M occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure or a portion thereof, for the display and sale of merchandise, and involves stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and where the public has access. Mercantile occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Department stores

Drug stores

Greenhouses with public access that maintain plants for display and sale

Markets

Motor fuel-dispensing facilities

Retail or wholesale stores

Sales rooms

[BG] 203.8.1 Quantity of hazardous materials. The aggregate quantity of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid hazardous materials stored or displayed in a single control area of a Group M occupancy shall not exceed the quantities in Table 5704.3.4.1.

[BG] 203.8.2 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall comply with Section 406.7 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.9 Residential Group R. Residential Group R includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for sleeping purposes when not classified as an Institutional Group I or when not regulated by the California Residential Code in accordance with Section 101.2 of the California Building Code . Group R occupancies not constructed in accordance with the Califor- nia Residential Code as permitted by Sections 310.4.1 and 310.4.2 of the California Building Code shall comply with Section 420 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.9.1 Residential Group R-1. Residential Group R-1 occupancies containing sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily transient in nature, including:

Boarding houses (transient) with more than 10 occupants

Congregate residences (transient) with more than 10 occupants

Hotels (transient)

Motels (transient)

Lodging houses with more than five guestrooms

[BG] 203.9.2 Residential Group R-2. Residential Group R-2 occupancies containing sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature, including:

Apartment houses

Large family child care Small family child care

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DEFINITIONS

Congregate residences (nontransient) with more than 16 occupants

Boarding houses (nontransient)

Boarding houses (nontransient)

Convents

Dormitories

Emergency services living quarters

Fraternities and sororities

Monasteries

Hotels (nontransient) with more than five guestrooms

Live/work units

Motels (nontransient) with more than five guestrooms

Vacation timeshare properties

203.9.2.1 Residential Group R-2.1. Residential Group R-2.1 occupancies shall include buildings, structures or parts thereof hous- ing clients, on a 24-hour basis, who because of age, mental disability or other reasons, live in a supervised residential environment that provides personal care services.

This occupancy may contain more than six nonambulatory and/or bedridden clients. (See Appendix Chapter 4, Section 435 Special Provisions for Licensed 24-Hour Care Facilities in a Group R-2.1, R-3.1 or R-4 occupancy). This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Assisted living facilities such as:

Residential Care Facilities Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) Adult Residential Facilities Congregate Living Health facilities Group homes Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill Congregate Living Health Facilities for the Terminally Ill

Social rehabilitation facilities such as:

Halfway houses Community Correctional Centers Community Treatment Programs Work Furlough Programs Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities

203.9.2.2 Residential Group R-2.2 (CDCR Only). Residential occupancies operated by CDCR in a community located facility that provides housing and community based program services for non-transient ambulatory participants in a non-licensed facility with 24/7 supervision Community Correctional Reentry Centers.

[BG] 203.9.3 Residential Group R-3. Residential Group R-3 occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3.1, R-4 or I, including:

Buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling units

Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons receiving care

Congregate residences (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants

Boarding houses (nontransient)

Convents

Dormitories

Emergency services living quarters

Fraternities and sororities

Monasteries

Congregate residences (transient) with 10 or fewer occupants

Boarding houses (transient)

Lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms

Adult care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours.

Licensing categories that may use this classification include, but are not limited to: Adult Day Programs

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DEFINITIONS

Child-care facilities that provide accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age for less than 24 hours.

Licensing categories that may use this classification include, but are not limited to: Day-Care Center for Mildly Ill Children Adult Day Programs Infant Care Center School Age Child Day-Care Center.

Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery homes (ambulatory only)

Family Day-Care Homes that provide accommodations for 14 or fewer children, in the provider’s own home for less than 24-hours.

Adult care and child-care facilities that are within a single-family home are permitted to comply with the California Residential Code.

Hotels (nontransient) with five or fewer guestrooms

Motels (nontransient) with five or fewer guestrooms

[BG] 203.9.3.1 Care facilities within a dwelling. Care facilities for five or fewer persons receiving care that are within a singlefamily dwelling are permitted to comply with the California Residential Code provided an automatic sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 of this code or Section P2904 of the California Residential Code .

[BG] 203.9.3.2 Lodging houses. Owner-occupied lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code or the California Residential Code, provided that facilities constructed using the California Residential Code are protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section R313 of the California Residential Code .

203.9.3.3 Residential Group R-3.1. Residential Group R-3.1 occupancies may include facilities licensed by a governmental agency for a residentially based 24-hour care facility providing accommodations for six or fewer clients of any age. Clients may be classified as ambulatory, nonambulatory or bedridden. A Group R-3.1 occupancy shall meet the requirements for construction as defined for Group R-3, except as otherwise provided for in Appendix Chapter 4, Section 425, Special Provisions For Licensed 24- Hour Care Facilities in a Group R-2.1, R-3.1 or R-4 occupancy. This group may include:

Adult Residential Facilities

Congregate Living Health Facilities

Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled Habilitative

Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled Nursing

Nurseries for the full-time care of children under the age of six, but not including “infants” as defined in Chapter 2

Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs)

Small Family Homes and Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill

Exception: Group Homes licensed by the Department of Social Services which provide nonmedical board, room and care for six or fewer ambulatory children or children two years of age or younger, and which do not have any nonambulatory clients shall not be subject to regulations found in Appendix Chapter 4, Section 435.

Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13143 with respect to these exempted facilities, no city, county or public district shall adopt or enforce any requirement for the prevention of fire or for the protection of life and property against fire and panic unless the requirement would be applicable to a structure regardless of the special occupancy. Nothing shall restrict the appli- cation of state or local housing standards to such facilities if the standards are applicable to residential occupancies and are not based on the use of the structure as a facility for ambulatory children. For the purpose of this exception, ambulatory chil- dren do not include relatives of the licensee or the licensee’s spouse.

ess of the special occupancy. Nothing shall restrict the appli-_ cation of state or local housing standards to such facilities if the standards are applicable to residential occupancies and are not based on the use of the structure as a facility for ambulatory children. For the purpose of this exception, ambulatory chil- dren do not include relatives of the licensee or the licensee’s spouse.

[BG] 203.9.4 Residential Group R-4. Residential Group R-4 shall include buildings, structures or portions thereof for more than five but not more than six ambulatory clients, excluding staff, who reside on a 24-hour basis in a supervised residential environment and receive custodial care. Buildings of Group R-4 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Section 203.9.4.1 or 203.9.4.2. Group R-4 occupancies shall meet the requirements for construction as defined for Group R-3, except as otherwise provided for in the California Building Code . The persons receiving care are capable of self-preservation. Group R-4 occu- pancies shall meet the requirements for construction as defined for Group R-3, except as otherwise provided for in the California Building Code. This occupancy classification may include a maximum six nonambulatory or bedridden clients (see Appendix Chapter 4, Section 435, Special Provisions For Licensed 24-Hour Care Facilities in a Group R-2.1, R-3.1 or R-4 occupancy). This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Alcohol and drug centers

Assisted living facilities such as:

Residential care facilities Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) Adult Residential Facilities Congregate Living Health facilities Group homes

Congregate care facilities

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DEFINITIONS

Group homes

Halfway houses

Residential board and care facilities

Social rehabilitation facilities such as:

Halfway houses Community Treatment Programs Work Furlough Programs Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities

[BG] 203.9.4.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which all persons receiving custodial care, without any assistance, are capable of responding to an emergency situation to complete building evacuation.

[BG] 203.9.4.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which there are any persons receiving custodial care who require limited verbal or physical assistance while responding to an emergency situation to complete building evacuation.

[BG] 203.10 Storage Group S. Storage Group S occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for storage that is not classified as a hazardous occupancy.

[BG] 203.10.1 Accessory storage spaces. A room or space used for storage purposes that is accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as part of that occupancy.

[BG] 203.10.2 Combustible storage. High-piled stock or rack storage, or attic, under-floor and concealed spaces used for storage of combustible materials, shall be in accordance with Section 413 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.10.3 Moderate-hazard storage, Group S-1. Storage Group S-1 occupancies are buildings occupied for storage uses that are not classified as Group S-2, including, but not limited to, storage of the following:

Aerosols, Levels 2 and 3, aerosol cooking spray, plastic aerosol 3 (PA3)

Aircraft hangar (storage and repair)

Bags: cloth, burlap and paper

Bamboos and rattan

Baskets

Belting: canvas and leather

Beverages over 20-percent alcohol content

Books and paper in rolls or packs

Boots and shoes

Buttons, including cloth covered, pearl or bone

Cardboard and cardboard boxes

Clothing, woolen wearing apparel

Cordage

Dry boat storage (indoor)

Furniture

Furs

Glues, mucilage, pastes and size

Grains

Horns and combs, other than celluloid

Leather

Linoleum

Lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries

Lumber

Motor vehicle repair garages complying with the maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials specified in Table 5003.1.1(1) (see Section 406.8 of the California Building Code )

Photo engravings

Resilient flooring

Self-service storage facility (mini-storage)

Silks

Soaps

Sugar

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DEFINITIONS

Tires, bulk storage of

Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and snuff

Upholstery and mattresses

Vehicle repair garages for vehicles powered by lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries

Wax candles

[BG] 203.10.3.1 Aircraft hangars. Aircraft hangars used for storage or repair shall comply with Section 412.3 of the California Building Code .

[BG] 203.10.3.2 Motor vehicle repair garages. Motor vehicle repair garages shall comply with Section 406.8 of the California Building Code.

[BG] 203.10.4 Low-hazard storage, Group S-2. Storage Group S-2 occupancies include, among others, buildings used for the storage of noncombustible materials, such as products on wood pallets or in paper cartons with or without single thickness divisions, or in paper wrappings. Such products are permitted to have a negligible amount of plastic trim, such as knobs, handles or film wrapping. Storage uses shall include, but not be limited to, storage of the following:

Asbestos

Beverages up to and including 20-percent alcohol

Cement in bags

Chalk and crayons

Dairy products in non-waxed coated paper containers

Dry cell batteries

Electrical coils

Electrical motors

Empty cans

Food products

Foods in noncombustible containers

Fresh fruits and vegetables in non-plastic trays or containers

Frozen foods

Glass

Glass bottles, empty or filled with noncombustible liquids

Gypsum board

Inert pigments

Ivory

Meats

Metal cabinets

Metal desks with plastic tops and trim

Metal parts

Metals

Mirrors

Oil-filled and other types of distribution transformers

Public parking garages, open or enclosed

Porcelain and pottery

Stoves

Talc and soap stones

Washers and dryers

[BG] 203.10.4.1 Public parking garages. Public parking garages shall comply with Section 406.4 of the California Building Code and the additional requirements of Section 406.5 of the California Building Code for open parking garages or Section 406.6 of the California Building Code for enclosed parking garages.

[BG] 203.11 Miscellaneous Group U. Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy shall be constructed, equipped and maintained to conform to the requirements of this code commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their occupancy. Group U shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Agricultural buildings

Aircraft hangar, accessory to a one- or two-family residence (see Section 412.4 of the California Building Code )

Barns

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DEFINITIONS

Carports Communication equipment structures with a gross floor area of less than 1,500 square feet (139 m [3] )

Fences more than 7 feet (2134 mm) in height

Grain silos, accessory to a residential occupancy

Livestock shelters

Private garages

Retaining walls

Sheds

Stables

Tanks

Towers

[BG] 203.11.1 Greenhouses. Greenhouses not classified as another occupancy shall be classified as Use Group U.

[BG] 203.11.2 Private garages and carports. Private garages and carports shall comply with Section 406.3 of the California Build- ing Code .

[BG] 203.11.3 Residential aircraft hangars. Aircraft hangars accessory to a one- or two-family residence shall comply with Section 412.4 of the California Building Code .

203.12 Laboratories Group L. [SFM] Group L occupancy includes the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof containing one or more laboratory suites as defined in Section 453 of the California Building Code.

203.13 Organized Camps Group C. [SFM] An organized camp is a site with programs and facilities established for the primary purpose of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational or recreational objectives, for five days or more during one or more seasons of the year. See California Building Code Section 450, Group C occupancy.

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CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 3 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

• The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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PART II— GENERAL SAFETY PROVISIONS