SECTION 303.1
IBC Interpretation No. 38-03
2003 Edition
Issued: 06-16-04
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 together of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions, recreation, food or drink
consumption or awaiting transportation. A room or space used for assembly purposes by less than 50 persons and accessory to another
occupancy shall be included as a part of that occupancy. Assembly areas with less than 750 square feet (69.7 m2) and which are
accessory to another occupancy according to Section 302.2.1 are not assembly occupancies. Assembly occupancies which are
accessory to Group E in accordance with Section 302.2 are not considered assembly occupancies. Religious educational rooms and
religious auditoriums which are accessory to churches in accordance with Section 302.2 and which have occupant loads of less than
100 shall be classified as A-3.
Assembly occupancies shall includ e the following: (Specific occupancy uses not shown, see published text)
A-1 Assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts or motion pictures
including, but not limited to:
A-2 Assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption including, but not limited to:
A-3 Assembly uses intended for worship, recreation or amusement and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group
A including, but not limited to:
A-4 Assembly uses intended for viewing of indoor sporting events and activities with spectator seating including, but not limited
to:
A-5 Assembly uses intended for participation in or viewing outdoor activities including, but not limited to:
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Q: Is a building or facility used for showing, auctioning, and selling of non-hazardous merchandise classified as a Group
A - Assembly Occupancy?
A: Yes. Any building or facility, or any room or space within a building or facility, used for the gathering of a prescribed
number of people for amusement or recreation meets the definition for a Group A Occupancy. The use of a room or fac ility
where people assemble for the purpose of conducting an auction is classified as a Group A-3 - Assembly Occupancy.
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Are vehicles non-hazardous merchandise?
Controlling the combustion process and the fire environment involves limiting, where possible, the fuel loading in the facility to reduce the potential size and growth rate of a fire that does occur. Prescriptive fire codes have usually dealt with the concept of managing fire impact by controlling the fuel loading within buildings for special hazards. An example of such provisions is the maximum allowable quantities of flammable liquids allowed in nonhazardous occupancies (Chapters 3 and 4 of the International Building Code and Chapters 27 and 34 of the International Fire Code).
