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A-2 Occupancy Load

JCTxinspector

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Joined
Jun 21, 2024
Messages
6
Location
Austin, Tx
IFC 903.2.1.2 says a sprinkler system is need when the load is over 100 in an assembly group A2.

IFC 1103.5.1 says a sprinkler system is need when alcohol is consumed, the max load is 300 in an assembly group A2.

Can anyone explain the difference? 100 vs 300.

Is the consumption of alcohol the only factor or am I missing something?
 
IFC 903.2.1.2 specifies where fire sprinklers are needed. If the occupancy is less than 100 in an A-2 space, no sprinklers are required unless required elsewhere in code. If over 100, then sprinklers are required in all new buildings, regardless of alcohol consumption.

IFC 1103.5.1 applies to existing buildings only.
 
The Legacy Codes (UBC) used alcohol consumption as a factor when sprinklers where required. The OL for 5,000 sq ft would be 333. So it was rounded down to 300 in the IFC. The Legacy Codes did not include the option of "net area" for assembly uses.
Any number in the code that ends in 0 or 5 is an arbitrary number.

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IFC 903.2.1.2 specifies where fire sprinklers are needed. If the occupancy is less than 100 in an A-2 space, no sprinklers are required unless required elsewhere in code. If over 100, then sprinklers are required in all new buildings, regardless of alcohol consumption.

IFC 1103.5.1 applies to existing buildings only.
For existing building, would all A2 occupancy be a max 300?
 
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