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Window Tint Shop

DTBarch

SAWHORSE
Joined
Nov 1, 2010
Messages
78
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Given: IBC 2012

Automotive window tinting business considering lease of a 3,379sf retail shop space, part of a larger shopping center. Their space would consist of approx. 518sf of retail sales/showroom, a 161sf customer waiting room, and a 2,700sf installation shop.

Would this be considered a Group M occupancy in it's entirety, or would the install shop be a Group B or F-1, or even S-1 Classification? (remember motor vehicle repair garages are classified as S-1)

Vehicles are brought into the shop, tint applied, then rolled back out. There is no automotive servicing or repair, so no NEC 511 classifications should apply.
 
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DTBarch,

What materials & volumes will be stored in the installation area,
and [ realistically ], how many vehicles will be inside at a given
time [ i.e. - the fuel loads of the fuel tanks, or other solvents,
flammable liquids \ materials ] ?

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I'd lean towards B for the entire use, assuming no overnight/long term parking of vehicles inside..
 
Commentary: "The key characteristics that differentiate occupancies classified in Group M from those classified in Group B are the larger quantity of goods or merchandise available for sale and the lack of familiarity of the occupants with the building, particularly its means of egress. To be classified in Group M, the goods that are on display must be accessible to the public. If a patron sees an item for sale, then that item is generally available for purchase at that time (i.e., there is a large stock of goods). If a store allows people to see the merchandise but it is not available on the premises, such as an automobile showroom, then the occupancy classification of business (Group B) should be considered. A mercantile building is open to the public, many of whom may not be regular visitors. A business building, however, is primarily occupied by regular employees who are familiar with the building arrangement and, most importantly, the exits. This awareness of the building and the exits can be an important factor in a fire emergency."
 
Most window tint places around here host all sorts of services. From shocks to sun roof....you can hear them from a block away.

Cars are there overnight. It's storing a car or three forever....just different cars every few days. Their long term parking is people that didn't pay the bill.
 
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Considering the amount of vehicles at any one time
[ and the fuel loads ], might this Tint Shop be an S-1 ?


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