I have business that is curious about taking over an existing building. The previous use was firearm sales and gunsmithing. The building was built in 1994. However, I do not have any plan sets for any of the previous tenants. The previous 3 tenants were all firearm sales and gunsmithing. In my opinion I believe that the gunsmithing portion of the building would be classified as a F-1 occupancy. I'm open to interpretation on a gunsmithing being an F-1 occupancy. Furthermore, do I classify the proposed use of Vehicle Service Repair as a S-1 Occupancy or keep the existing Occupancy type as the F-1? The dilemma is that if the occupancy is changed to a S-1 occupancy from the existing F-1 occupancy. A Change of Occupancy would be required. which requires a signed and sealed plan. Now the plans would be great for record keeping as at this time there are no existing plans of the building other than the ones from 1994. In-conclusion, my biggest issue is classifying the occupancy type for gunsmithing.
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Gunsmithing to Vehicle Repair shop
- Thread starter Dshaw7575
- Start date
- Featured
steveray
SAWHORSE
S1
steveray
SAWHORSE
Is there a previous CO that gives the legally existing use?
Yankee Chronicler
REGISTERED
Gunsmithing is neither a manufacturing occupancy nor a storage occupancy. It's B - Business, no different from a watch repair shop or an electronics repair shop.
Motor vehicle repair is clearly S-1.
Motor vehicle repair is clearly S-1.
steveray
SAWHORSE
If your concern is avoiding a COO and sealed plans....You are not likely to unless you find a CO with S1 on it....
Group F includes repair, with exceptions as listed in 306.2. (Although, I do not understand why the IBC mentions aircraft does not include repair while "automobiles and other motor vehicles" does not, even though both are listed in Group S-1 for repairs--go figure.)
Firearm sales and gunsmithing would be a Group M occupancy, in my opinion. Many sales shops have repair as a part of their business model (e.g., jewelry, vacuum cleaners, luggage, etc.). I do not see the need to classify the small repair area as anything beyond the accessory storage permitted for Group M per IBC Section 311.1.1 (unless it is a sales shop associated with a large distribution warehouse).
However, let us go back to the OP's question. The new use is definitely a Group S-1, so whether it is currently a Group B, M, or F-1 occupancy, it is still a change of occupancy because the hazard will be greater and requires a different code application (i.e., Section 406.8).
Firearm sales and gunsmithing would be a Group M occupancy, in my opinion. Many sales shops have repair as a part of their business model (e.g., jewelry, vacuum cleaners, luggage, etc.). I do not see the need to classify the small repair area as anything beyond the accessory storage permitted for Group M per IBC Section 311.1.1 (unless it is a sales shop associated with a large distribution warehouse).
However, let us go back to the OP's question. The new use is definitely a Group S-1, so whether it is currently a Group B, M, or F-1 occupancy, it is still a change of occupancy because the hazard will be greater and requires a different code application (i.e., Section 406.8).
Yankee Chronicler
REGISTERED
Firearms sales would, indeed, be an M occupancy. Gunsmithing is not sales, it is B, and the question was how to classify the gunsmithing operation. Gunsmithing is certainly not a storage occupancy. As to what's accessory to what, that would depend on whether it's primarily a gunshop (sales) with a small repair component, or if it's primarily a gunsmith who may occasionally sell a firearm or two. In the town where I work, we have such a gunsmith operation. Firearms dealers from all over the state send guns and customers to this facility for firearms repairs. Any sales they might make represent a tiny fraction of their business.
That's why I phrased it as "Many sales shops have repair as a part of their business model." In this case, sales is the primary function, with repair as an additional service. I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that firearm sales was the primary function and gunsmithing secondary. Sometimes, the repair function occurs back in the stockroom, so I would typically include the repair area as part of the stockroom (an accessory storage use with the Group M occupancy). However, if the store has a separate room for repair services (like they would for an admin office), then I would typically classify it as a Group B occupancy.
This is a 8,000 sqft metal building. The use of the occupancy states "ASSEMBLY OF FIREARMS PARTS AND BUILDING THEM TO COMPLETE WEAPONS." It's not a small gun shop by any means. I'm pretty sure the selling of firearms was secondary to the assembling and building aspect.
I can't find anything in out records that can help me in that as we have just transferred everything into digital so a lot of our Papertrail is a cluster right now.
Tim Mailloux
REGISTERED
sound like an F to me
306.1 Factory Industrial Group F. Factory Industrial Group F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair or processing operations that are not classified as a Group H hazardous or Group S storage occupancy.
This is a 8,000 sqft metal building. The use of the occupancy states "ASSEMBLY OF FIREARMS PARTS AND BUILDING THEM TO COMPLETE WEAPONS." It's not a small gun shop by any means. I'm pretty sure the selling of firearms was secondary to the assembling and building aspect. In conclusion a change of occupancy would be required. My main thing was just verifying that the existing occupancy wasn't a S-1. Thank you!
steveray
SAWHORSE
If 80% of it was storage and 10% smithing and 10% retail...It was S1...You can make it whatever you want when there are no records....
tbz
REGISTERED
- Question 1
- What does the electrical service look like in the building?
- If it is wired for machining equipment I would say they where manufacturing
- If only wired for a single phase & maybe one or two 240 volt outlets
- more about general gunsmithing probably
- What does the electrical service look like in the building?
- Question 2
- Don't answer this but check the internet for the website or facebook page of the previous business
- Even if they are out of business you can normally find something that will give you a better idea which side of the log they fall on.
- Like Ron noted in post #10, it is highly likely a change of use, simplify it, its a change of use, if they don't like the call have them appeal it.
Yankee Chronicler
REGISTERED
I agree with Tim Mailloux -- that sounds like manufacturing, not gunsmithing. "Gunsmithing" is repairing and adjusting of existing firearms, not "building them to complete weapons."
What was the name of the company? It should be easy enough to find out if they were a manufacturer.
mtlogcabin
SAWHORSE
I agree it is manufacturing.
They will have an ATF license just ask for a copy
While there were over 230 federally licensed gunmakers operating in Florida in 2022, the state’s firearm industry is dominated by just a small handful of companies. Only 23 manufacturing facilities in the state produced at least 500 firearms in 2022.
an ATF classification that covers all other categorized firearms or firearm components, including frames and receivers, accounted for 8.0% of Florida’s total output in 2022.
247wallst.com
They will have an ATF license just ask for a copy
While there were over 230 federally licensed gunmakers operating in Florida in 2022, the state’s firearm industry is dominated by just a small handful of companies. Only 23 manufacturing facilities in the state produced at least 500 firearms in 2022.
an ATF classification that covers all other categorized firearms or firearm components, including frames and receivers, accounted for 8.0% of Florida’s total output in 2022.
These Are the Top Gun Manufacturers in Florida
24/7 Wall St. Insights The United States is the largest consumer market for firearms in the world, and to meet demand, there are thousands of federally licensed gunmakers across the 50 states. Due to the presence of a handful of companies, more firearms are manufactured in Florida than in most...
247wallst.com