Occupancy Classification & Use

Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• CBC § 1-33 High relevance — show source text

  112 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33

  113 Means of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33

  114 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

  115 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

  CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

  201 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

  202 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

  CHAPTER 3 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE . . . . .3-1

  301 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

  302 Occupancy Classification and Use Designation . . . . 3-3

  303 Assembly Group A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

  304 Business Group B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

  305 Educational Group E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

  306 Factory Group F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

  307 High-Hazard Group H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

  308 Institutional Group I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

  309 Mercantile Group M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

  310 Residential Group R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

  311 Storage Group S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17

  312 Utility and Miscellaneous Group U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

  313 Laboratories Group L [SFM]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19

• CBC § 2.1 High relevance — show source text

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  Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use.

  Chapter 3 provides for the classification of buildings, structures and parts thereof based on the purpose for which they are used. Section 302 identifies the groups into which all buildings, structures and parts thereof must be classified. Sections 303 through 312 identify the occupancy characteristics of each group classification. In some sections, specific group classifications having requirements in common are collectively organized such that one term applies to all. For example, Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5 are individual groups for assembly-type buildings. The general term “Group A,” however, includes each of these individual groups. Other groups include Business (B), Organized Camps (C), Educational (E), Factory (F-1, F-2), High Hazard (H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, H-5), Institutional (I-2, I-3, I-4), Laboratories (L), Mercantile (M), Residential (R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3, R-3.1, R-4), Storage (S-1, S-2) and Utility (U). In some occupancies, the smaller number means a higher hazard, but that is not always the case.

  Defining the use of the buildings is very important as it sets the tone for the remaining chapters of the code. Occupancy works with the height, area and construction type requirements in Chapters 5 and 6, to determine "equivalent risk." The determination of equivalent risk involves three interdependent considerations: (1) the level of fire hazard associated with the specific occupancy of the facility; (2) the reduction of fire hazard based on the fuel load by limiting the floor area and the height of the building; and (3) the level of overall fire resistance provided by the type of construction. The greater the potential fire hazards indicated as a function of the group, the lesser the height and area allowances for a particular construction type.

  Occupancy classification also plays a key part in the appropriate protection measures. As such, threshold requirements for fire protection and means of egress systems are based on occupancy classification (see Chapters 9 and 10). Other sections of the code also contain requirements respective to the classification of building groups. For example, Section 706 specifies requirements for fire wall fire-resistance ratings that are tied to the occupancy classification of a building and Section 803.11 contains interior finish requirements that are dependent upon the occupancy classification. The use of the space, rather than the occupancy of the building, is utilized for determining occupant loading (Section 1004) and live loading (Section 1607).

  Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use.

  Chapter 4 contains the requirements for protecting special uses and occupancies which are supplemental to the remainder of the code. For example, the height and area limitations established in Chapter 5 apply to all special occupancies unless Chapter 4 contains height and area limitations. In this case, the limitations in Chapter 4 supersede those in other sections. An example of this is the height and area limitations for open parking garages given in Section 406.5.4, which supersede the limitations given in Sections 504 and 506.

• CBC § 301.1 High relevance — show source text

  ICC code development note: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [F] will be considered by the IFC code development committee meeting during the 2024 (Group A) Code Development Cycle. All other code change proposals will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.

  SECTION 301—SCOPE

  301.1 General. The provisions of this chapter shall control the classification of all buildings and structures as to occupancy and use. Different classifications of occupancy and use represent varying levels of hazard and risk to building occupants and adjacent properties.

  SECTION 302—OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE DESIGNATION

  302.1 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. 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.

  1. Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5.
  2. Business (see Section 304): Group B. 3. [SFM] Organized Camps (see Section 450): Group C. 4. Educational (see Section 305): Group E. 5. Factory and Industrial (see Section 306): Groups F-1 and F-2. 6. High Hazard (see Section 307): Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5. 7. Institutional (see Section 308): Groups I-2, I-3 and I-4. 8. [SFM] Laboratory (see Section 202): Group B, unless classified as Group L (see Section 453) or Group H (see Section 307). 9. [SFM] Laboratory Suites (see Section 453): Group L. 10. Mercantile (see Section 309): Group M. 11 . Residential (see Section 310): Groups R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-3, R-3.1 and R-4. 12 . Storage (see Section 311): Groups S-1 and S-2. 13 . Utility and Miscellaneous (see Section 312): Group U. 14. [SFM] Existing buildings housing existing protective social care homes or facilities established prior to 1972 (see California Fire Code Chapter 11 and California Existing Building Code).

  302.1.1 Reserved

  302.1.2 Reserved

  302.1.3 Pharmacies; veterinary facilities; barbering, cosmetology or electrolysis establishments; and acupuncture offices. See Chapter 12.

• CBC § 2.1 High relevance — show source text

  The IBC requirements for hazardous materials, fire-resistance-rated construction, interior finish, fire protection systems, means of egress, emergency and standby power, and temporary structures are directly correlated with the requirements of the International Fire Code ® (IFC®). The following table shows chapters/sections of the IBC that are correlated with the IFC:

  IBC/IFC CORRELATED TOPICS	Col2	Col3
  IBC CHAPTER/SECTION	IFC CHAPTER/SECTION	SUBJECT
  Sections 307, 414, 415	Chapters 50–67	Hazardous materials and Group H requirements
  Chapter 7	Chapter 7	Fire-resistance-rated construction (fire and smoke protection features in the IFC)
  Chapter 8	Chapter 8	Interior finish, decorative materials and furnishings
  Chapter 9	Chapter 9	Fire protection systems
  Chapter 10	Chapter 10	Means of egress
  Chapter 27	Section 604	Standby and emergency power
  Section 3103	Chapter 31	Temporary structures

  Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

  Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

  Chapter 2 Definitions.

  Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

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  Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use.

  Chapter 3 provides for the classification of buildings, structures and parts thereof based on the purpose for which they are used. Section 302 identifies the groups into which all buildings, structures and parts thereof must be classified. Sections 303 through 312 identify the occupancy characteristics of each group classification. In some sections, specific group classifications having requirements in common are collectively organized such that one term applies to all. For example, Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5 are individual groups for assembly-type buildings. The general term “Group A,” however, includes each of these individual groups. Other groups include Business (B), Organized Camps (C), Educational (E), Factory (F-1, F-2), High Hazard (H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, H-5), Institutional (I-2, I-3, I-4), Laboratories (L), Mercantile (M), Residential (R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3, R-3.1, R-4), Storage (S-1, S-2) and Utility (U). In some occupancies, the smaller number means a higher hazard, but that is not always the case.

• CBC § 310.2 High relevance — show source text

  1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.2|||X|X||||||||||||||||||||| |310.3|||X|X||||||||||||||||||||| |310.3.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.3.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.4|||X|X||||||||||||||||||||| |310.4.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.4.2|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |310.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310.6|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |313|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |314|||X||||||||||||||||||||||

  The state agency does not adopt sections identified with 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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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 3 provides the criteria by which buildings and structures are classified into use groups and occupancies. Through the balance of the code, occupancy classification is fundamental in the setting of features of construction; occupant safety requirements, especially building limitations; means of egress; fire protection systems; and interior finishes.

  ICC code development note: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [F] will be considered by the IFC code development committee meeting during the 2024 (Group A) Code Development Cycle. All other code change proposals will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.

  SECTION 301—SCOPE

  301.1 General. The provisions of this chapter shall control the classification of all buildings and structures as to occupancy and use. Different classifications of occupancy and use represent varying levels of hazard and risk to building occupants and adjacent properties.

  SECTION 302—OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE DESIGNATION

  302.1 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. 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.

  1. Assembly (see Section 303): Groups A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5.
  2. Business (see Section 304): Group B.
• CBC § 2.1 High relevance — show source text

  2. Business (see Section 304): Group B. 3. [SFM] Organized Camps (see Section 450): Group C. 4. Educational (see Section 305): Group E. 5. Factory and Industrial (see Section 306): Groups F-1 and F-2. 6. High Hazard (see Section 307): Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5. 7. Institutional (see Section 308): Groups I-2, I-3 and I-4. 8. [SFM] Laboratory (see Section 202): Group B, unless classified as Group L (see Section 453) or Group H (see Section 307). 9. [SFM] Laboratory Suites (see Section 453): Group L. 10. Mercantile (see Section 309): Group M. 11 . Residential (see Section 310): Groups R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-3, R-3.1 and R-4. 12 . Storage (see Section 311): Groups S-1 and S-2. 13 . Utility and Miscellaneous (see Section 312): Group U. 14. [SFM] Existing buildings housing existing protective social care homes or facilities established prior to 1972 (see California Fire Code Chapter 11 and California Existing Building Code).

  302.1.1 Reserved

  302.1.2 Reserved

  302.1.3 Pharmacies; veterinary facilities; barbering, cosmetology or electrolysis establishments; and acupuncture offices. See Chapter 12.

  302.2 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 302.1. Certain uses require specific limitations and controls in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 and elsewhere in this code.

  SECTION 303—ASSEMBLY GROUP A

  303.1 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 ; motion picture and television production studio sound stages, approved production facilities and production locations; or 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.

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  303.1.1 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.

• CBC § 203.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  [BG] YARD. An open space, other than a court, unobstructed from the ground to the sky, except where specifically provided by the California Building Code, on the lot on which a building is situated.

  ZONE. A defined area within the protected premises. A zone can define an area from which a signal can be received, an area to which a signal can be sent or an area in which a form of control can be executed.

  ZONE, NOTIFICATION. An area within a building or facility covered by notification appliances which are activated simultaneously.

  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.

• CBC § 1-24 Medium relevance — show source text

  102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

  Part 2—Administration and Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

  103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24

  104 Duties and Powers of Building Official. . . . . . . . . . . 1-25

  105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

  106 Floor and Roof Design Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29

  107 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29

  108 Temporary Structures, Equipment and Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31

  109 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31

  110 Inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31

  111 Certificate of Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33

  112 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33

  113 Means of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33

  114 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

  115 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34

  CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

  201 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

  202 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

  CHAPTER 3 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE . . . . .3-1

  301 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

  302 Occupancy Classification and Use Designation . . . . 3-3

• CBC § 303.5 Medium relevance — show source text

  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

  303.5 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

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  303.6 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

  Grandstands

  Stadiums

  303.7 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.

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

  SECTION 304—BUSINESS GROUP B

  304.1 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

  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)

  304.2 Airport traffic control towers. Airport traffic control towers shall comply with Section 412.2.

  304.3 Ambulatory care facilities. Ambulatory care facilities shall comply with Section 422.

  SECTION 305—EDUCATIONAL GROUP E

  305.1 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.

• CBC § 2-39 Medium relevance — show source text

  WET FUELING. See “Mobile fueling.”

  WET HOSING. See “Mobile fueling.”

  WET-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT. A solution of water and potassium-carbonate-based chemical, potassium-acetate-based chemical or a combination thereof, forming an extinguishing agent.

  WHARF. A structure or bulkhead constructed of wood, stone, concrete or similar material built at the shore of a harbor, lake or river for vessels to lie alongside of, and to anchor piers or floats.

  WILDFIRE RISK AREA. Land that is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location that a fire originating upon it would present an abnormally difficult job of suppression or would result in great or unusual damage through fire or such areas designated by the fire code official.

  WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA (WUI). [SFM] (See California Building Code Chapter 7A, Section 702A for defined term.)

  [BE] WINDER. A tread with nonparallel edges.

  WINERY CAVES. A subterranean space for winery facilities in natural or manmade caves shall be in accordance with Section 446 of the California Building Code.

  WIRELESS PROTECTION SYSTEM. A system or a part of a system that can transmit and receive signals without the aid of wire.

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  DEFINITIONS

  WORKSTATION. A defined space or an independent principal piece of equipment using HPM within a fabrication area where a specific function, laboratory procedure or research activity occurs. Approved or listed hazardous materials storage cabinets, flammable liquid storage cabinets or gas cabinets serving a workstation are included as part of the workstation. A workstation is allowed to contain ventilation equipment, fire protection devices, detection devices, electrical devices and other processing and scientific equipment.

  [BG] YARD. An open space, other than a court, unobstructed from the ground to the sky, except where specifically provided by the California Building Code, on the lot on which a building is situated.

  ZONE. A defined area within the protected premises. A zone can define an area from which a signal can be received, an area to which a signal can be sent or an area in which a form of control can be executed.

  ZONE, NOTIFICATION. An area within a building or facility covered by notification appliances which are activated simultaneously.

  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.

• CBC § 308.4.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  308.4.2 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.

  308.4.3 Condition 3. This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed within individual smoke compartments, such as within a residential unit composed of individual sleeping units and group activity spaces, where

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  OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE

  egress is impeded by remote-controlled release of means of egress from such a smoke compartment to another smoke compartment.

  308.4.4 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.

  308.4.5 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.

  308.4.6 Condition 6. This occupancy condition shall include buildings containing only one temporary holding facility with six or fewer 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.

  308.4.7 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. A Condition 7 building shall be permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy.

  308.4.8 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 is permitted to be classified as a Group B occupancy, provided the requirements in Section 408.1.2.7 are met.

  308.4.9 Condition 9. This occupancy condition shall include buildings where the use of the building is for correctional medical care or correctional mental health care.

  308.5 Institutional Group I-4, day care facilities. Institutional Group I-4 occupancy shall include buildings and structures occupied by more than six clients of any age who receive custodial care for fewer than 24 hours per day 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 Group E)

• CBC § 803.11 Medium relevance — show source text

  Occupancy classification also plays a key part in the appropriate protection measures. As such, threshold requirements for fire protection and means of egress systems are based on occupancy classification (see Chapters 9 and 10). Other sections of the code also contain requirements respective to the classification of building groups. For example, Section 706 specifies requirements for fire wall fire-resistance ratings that are tied to the occupancy classification of a building and Section 803.11 contains interior finish requirements that are dependent upon the occupancy classification. The use of the space, rather than the occupancy of the building, is utilized for determining occupant loading (Section 1004) and live loading (Section 1607).

  Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use.

  Chapter 4 contains the requirements for protecting special uses and occupancies which are supplemental to the remainder of the code. For example, the height and area limitations established in Chapter 5 apply to all special occupancies unless Chapter 4 contains height and area limitations. In this case, the limitations in Chapter 4 supersede those in other sections. An example of this is the height and area limitations for open parking garages given in Section 406.5.4, which supersede the limitations given in Sections 504 and 506.

  In some instances, it may not be necessary to apply the provisions of Chapter 4. For example, if a covered mall building complies with the provisions of the code for Group M, Section 402 does not apply; however, other sections that address a use, process or operation must be applied to that specific occupancy, such as stages and platforms, special amusement buildings and hazardous materials (Sections 410, 411 and 414).

  The chapter includes requirements for buildings and conditions that apply to one or more groups, such as high-rise buildings, underground buildings or atriums. Special uses may also imply specific occupancies and operations, such as for Group H, hazardous materials, and uses with associated combustibility hazards, which are coordinated with the CFC. Unique consideration is taken for special use areas, such as covered mall buildings, motor-vehicle-related occupancies, special amusement buildings and aircraftrelated occupancies. Special facilities within other occupancies are considered, such as stages and platforms, motion picture projection rooms, children’s play structures and storm shelters. Finally, in order that the overall package of protection features can be easily understood, unique considerations for specific occupancies are also addressed.

  Chapter 5 General Building Heights and Areas.

  Chapter 5 contains the provisions that regulate the minimum type of construction for area limits and height limits based on the occupancy of the building. Height and area increases are permitted based on open frontage for fire department access, separation and the type of sprinkler protection provided (Sections 503 through 506, 510). Provisions include the protection and/or separation of incidental uses (Table 509.1), accessory occupancies (Section 508.2) and mixed uses in the same building (Sections 506.2.2, 508.3, 508.4 and 510). Unlimited area buildings are permitted in certain occupancies when they meet special provisions (Section 507). Live/work units are provided for in Section 508.5.

  Tables 504.3, 504.4 and 506.2 are the keystones in setting thresholds for building size based on the building’s use and the materials with which it is constructed. Respective to each group classification, the greater the fire-resistance rating of structural elements, as represented by the type of construction, the greater the floor area and height allowances. The greater the potential fire hazards indicated as a function of the group, the lesser the height and area allowances for a particular construction type.