Gift shop definition?

[mtlogcabin]

I-2 hospital built under 1970's UBC Type I construction, fully sprinkled and this floor has been updated to quick response sprinkler heads. UBC required corridors serving an OL of over 30 to be rated one-hour. There is an existing coffee bar that also sells bottle drinks, sandwiches, soups, prepackage salads all prepared in the main hospital kitchen. They would like to remove the one-hour rated wall and have the area open to the corridor. 407.2 has an exception that would allow less than 500 sq ft for a "Gift Shop" This area is about 400 sq ft and the Architect would like to say this is a similar use as a "Gift Shop". The hospital also has to comply with NFPA Life Safety 101 if it is more restrictive and I have no idea what it may or may not allow.

Please all thoughts and opinions or code language that will aid in documenting the final decision if this can be permitted or not will be very helpful

407.2.4 Gift shops.
Gift shops and associated storage that are less than 500 square feet (455 m2) in area shall be permitted to be open to the corridor where such spaces are constructed as required for corridors.

 

[TheCommish]

I think of a coffe shop in the airport a small store open to the the main terminal would be a similar arrangement. I would allow it.

 

[ICE]

Corridors are required to be separated by fire partions. There are six exceptions, with gift shops being number four. A ridgid interprutation of the code would not allow a coffee shop to be substituted for a gift shop.

Examining the similarities between a gift shop and a coffee shop ........ Other than money changing hands, there are none. So in what ways are the two different from a use standpoint. A gift shop has few people milling about and mostly in motion....a coffee shop can develop a waiting line and if the line extends into the corridor.... Seating or a standing counter will result in people becoming stationary.

Other than possible congestion the differences seem insignificant. Of course there will be the smell of coffee and food but that's an improvement.

So why is the code so specific that there is a Section for a gift shop? Given that the space shall be constructed as required for corridors it seems illogical to not allow other business endeavors. A shoe store? Greeting cards, handbags, purses and belts? Those qualify as a gift store. But a little mini-mart would not. One difference between a gift shop and a coffee shop would be the activity level. There's just not a lot of people shopping in a hospital gift shop whereas a coffee shop could be gangbusters.

I don't have an opinion one way or the other and I think that there are convincing arguements either way.

There's plenty of stuff to deal with in the codes...

407.2.4 Gift shops. Gift shops and associated storage that are less than 500 square feet (455 m2) in area shall be permitted to be open to the corridor where such spaces are constructed as required for corridors.

407.3 Corridor wall construction. Corridor walls shall be constructed as fire partitions in accordance with Section 708.

708.3 Fire-resistance rating. Fire partitions shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.

1020.5 Air movement in corridors. Corridors shall not serve as supply, return, exhaust, relief or ventilation air ducts.

The NEC and Mechanical Code regulate corridors too.

 

[Genduct]

Trinkets or Triscuits Sounds like they fall under the same Intent of the Code
What extra risk or hazard is anticipated with a snack shop?