Classification of Work

[mcfd]

Forgive me this probably beginner's question, but when considering a building undergoing a change of occupancy, am I correct that that becomes the official 'classification of work'? In other words, change of occupancy is its own distinct classification, not an added consideration under say Level 3 Alterations. (I know that using the Change of Occupancy classification you have to reference previous requirements.)

Thanks much.

 

[RLGA]

If an area of a building is being altered, but its use does not change, then it is an alteration. For example, a floor in an office building is being remodeled to provide a more efficient plan by eliminating many small offices and create open office areas, then that is an alteration.

If an area of a building is being altered, but its use of space will change, then it is a change of occupancy. For example, a big box store (Group M) is being converted into a K-12 school (Group E). Even though it is an alteration, the change of use makes it a change of occupancy and is only subject to the change of occupancy requirements (which typically are a bit more restrictive than a Level 3 Alteration).

A change of occupancy does not necessarily require a change in the occupancy group. For example, A restaurant (Group A-2) may change into a nightclub (also a Group A-2); however, the application of the code changes because of the change in use (more occupants for nightclubs, means larger means of egress and more plumbing fixtures, and may require a sprinkler if one did not previously exist).

Some portions of a building may have alterations with no change in use (Alteration), while other portions of the same building will have alterations that do have a change in use (Change of Occupancy). Each area with a different type of work classification is subject to the requirements of only that work classification.

 

[mcfd]

Thanks Ron,
We definitely are doing a change of occupancy, but my question is whether or not 'Change of Occupancy' is the full 'Classification of Work'. Or does that even make sense? In other words, if it's a change of occupancy, then it wouldn't be classified as any type of Alteration Level; sound about right?

It's for the entire building in this case, changing from F-1 to a mixed-use, B and M.

Thanks for the point about a change of occupancy within an occupancy group; I'm filling that away with other useful pieces of knowledge for future reference.

 

[RLGA]

Thanks Ron,
We definitely are doing a change of occupancy, but my question is whether or not 'Change of Occupancy' is the full 'Classification of Work'. Or does that even make sense? In other words, if it's a change of occupancy, then it wouldn't be classified as any type of Alteration Level; sound about right?

It's for the entire building in this case, changing from F-1 to a mixed-use, B and M.

Thanks for the point about a change of occupancy within an occupancy group; I'm filling that away with other useful pieces of knowledge for future reference.

Each work area only has one classification. If the entire floor area of the building is classified as Type F-1 and is now being split into Groups B and M, then the entire building is the work area and the classification of work is considered a change of occupancy--no other classification would apply.

 

[mcfd]

Good, exactly what I thought.

Thanks again,
Matt

 

[Balletman]

A change of occupancy does not necessarily require a change in the occupancy group. For example, A restaurant (Group A-2) may change into a nightclub (also a Group A-2); however, the application of the code changes because of the change in use (more occupants for nightclubs, means larger means of egress and more plumbing fixtures, and may require a sprinkler if one did not previously exist

If occ group is staying the same and prior and new business have different uses with slightly different occupancies but less than 50 total, would that trigger a change of occupancy.

for example prior tenant was beauty salon less than 50 (group B) and new tenant is a karate studio less than 50 (group B) but had different occupancy load calcs, would that trigger the change of occupancy. New at this. Thanks!

 

[findingarch]

wow, this is the exact question that I was asking yesterday...thank you! We were discussing a project that is to be a change of occupancy and folks kept discussing it in terms of alteration level 1, 2, 3....

 

[steveray]

Each work area only has one classification. If the entire floor area of the building is classified as Type F-1 and is now being split into Groups B and M, then the entire building is the work area and the classification of work is considered a change of occupancy--no other classification would apply.

To clarify....the classification would not apply (kinda sorta), but the requirements do...

1001.2.1 Change of use. Any work undertaken in connection
with a change in use that does not involve a change of
occupancy classification or a change to another group
within an occupancy classification shall conform to the
applicable requirements for the work as classified in Chapter
5 and to the requirements of Sections 1002 through
1011.
Exception: As modified in Section 1205 for historic
buildings.

 

[findingarch]

I am still struggling with how to define the work area if you by chance have a change of occupancy that requires little to no "reconfiguration of space". Is the work area still defined solely on the fact that it is a change of occupancy and not related to any alterations that may or may not be occuring as a result of that change of occupancy?

Based of what's been said above, how would the following exception ever apply? Is it applicable only to partial changes in occupancy?

305.4 Change of Occupancy

Existing buildings that undergo a change of group or occupancy shall comply with this section.

Exception: Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the Building Code of New York State are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities undergoing a change of occupancy in conjunction with alterations where the work area is 50 percent or less of the aggregate area of the building.

 

[classicT]

In a change of occupancy, the work area is the entire space that is changing use.

 

[harmonics]

Each work area only has one classification. If the entire floor area of the building is classified as Type F-1 and is now being split into Groups B and M, then the entire building is the work area and the classification of work is considered a change of occupancy--no other classification would apply.

Are you sure this is correct? The IEBC 2015 Code and Commentary - Chapter 10 - General Comments states that:

"As a general rule, when a change of occupancy classification occurs, the requirements of Chapter 9 for Level 3 alterations apply, along with all of the provisions
of Section 1012. However, there are exceptions to this rule as well, as provided in Section 1012.4, which deal with a change of occupancy where the change is clearly to a lesser hazard."

Did something change in the 2018 edition?

 

[RLGA]

Are you sure this is correct? The IEBC 2015 Code and Commentary - Chapter 10 - General Comments states that:

"As a general rule, when a change of occupancy classification occurs, the requirements of Chapter 9 for Level 3 alterations apply, along with all of the provisions
of Section 1012. However, there are exceptions to this rule as well, as provided in Section 1012.4, which deal with a change of occupancy where the change is clearly to a lesser hazard."

Did something change in the 2018 edition?

The question was whether the "Change of Occupancy" is the classification or if any other classification would also apply. Only one classification applies, but other requirements for other classifications may be applicable. For example, a "Level 3 Alteration" requires compliance with Levels 1 and 2, but you do not refer to it as a "Level 1, 2, and 3 Alteration," you just call it a "Level 3 Alteration." The same applies to a change of occupancy. You would classify it as a "Change of Occupancy" (which, as you pointed out, requires compliance with some requirements for Level 3 Alterations), and not as a "Level 3 Alteration, Change of Occupancy."

Regarding the Commentary's statement that "As a general rule, when a change of occupancy classification occurs, the requirements of Chapter 9 for Level 3 alterations apply," I find this blanket statement somewhat misleading. Chapter 9 (Alterations -- Level 3) is only applicable to the extent it is referenced in Chapter 10.

Section 1012.1.1.1 (2015 IEBC) requires compliance with Chapter 9 throughout a building when the fire protection threshold is different per the IBC and the change of occupancy work area is not separated from the rest of the building with fire barriers. In this case, the "Change of Occupancy" classification is applied to the area where the change of occupancy occurs, and the rest of the building would be classified as a "Level 3 Alteration."

If the change of occupancy work area is separated per Section 1012.1.1.2, the application of Chapter 9 only applies to the change of occupancy work area. Thus, the work area is classified as a "Change of Occupancy" and the rest of the building, or portions thereof, are classified according to their types of work.