accessory space vs under 50 Assembly in Business

[omahawildcat]

So, a conference room or assembly space in a business occupancy that has an occupancy less than 50 does not assume an Assembly occupancy classification, but what if that assembly space is greater than 10% of the floor area, does it then become an assembly occupancy?

 

[steveray]

So, a conference room or assembly space in a business occupancy that has an occupancy less than 50 does not assume an Assembly occupancy classification, but what if that assembly space is greater than 10% of the floor area, does it then become an assembly occupancy?

If you cross a threshold in 303.1, you now may be an accessory (10% or less) or "full" use or occupancy.....

 

[omahawildcat]

If you cross a threshold in 303.1, you now may be an accessory (10% or less) or "full" use or occupancy.....

I'm not crossing a threshold in section 303.1. My assembly occupancy is less than 50 persons but the sq. footage of that occupancy is over 10% of the floor plate.

 

[steveray]

Then you are good...It's part of the B

303.1.2 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.

 

[steveray]

I'm not crossing a threshold in section 303.1. My assembly occupancy is less than 50 persons but the sq. footage of that occupancy is over 10% of the floor plate.

And let's clarify while we are here....10% of the tenant space or 10% of the story?

 

[mtlogcabin]

303.1.2 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 m2) in area and accessory to another occupancy shall be classified as a Group B occupancy or as part of that occupancy.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

even though these small conference rooms are not an assembly occupancy (chapter 3), they are still an assembly function of space as far as chapter 10 is concerned and the occupant load of the rooms needs to be calculated using the 1 person per 15sqft occupant load.

 

[mark handler]

even though these small conference rooms are not an assembly occupancy (chapter 3), they are still an assembly function of space as far as chapter 10 is concerned and the occupant load of the rooms needs to be calculated using the 1 person per 15sqft occupant load.

you are assuming it is Unconcentrated (tables and chairs) and not just seating, or standing.....

 

[MKALLAY]

I go through this with our staff all the time - the term "Space Function" used in chapter 10 to calculate occupant load in a space without fixed seating is an entirely separate concept from "Occupancy Classification" per Chapter 3 (and the difference in terminology is very intentional); so a conference room or similar space may be classified as business occupancy, but may apply an assembly function occupant load factor (concentrated, unconcentrated, or standing) per the tabular values in Section 1004. If the predominant occupancy classification on a floor is B, and other conference or similar spaces (e.g., a break room with not more than 49 occupants) on the floor also are classified as B, then the question of accessory use is not applicable for these spaces - it's all B!

 

[mark handler]

The only way to determine the Occupant load, less than 49, is to look at the room configuration/use, A room set up for Standing or rows of seating (lecture style) is not the same number of occupants as a room with tables and chairs.