IBC 2015 Table 508.4 - what am I missing?

[cda]

Moderate-Hazard factory Industrial, Group F-1
Low-Hazard factory Industrial, Group F-2

Is 'hazard' related to fire load?
Is a low hazard > moderate hazard?
Is a change of occupancy from F-2 to F-1 a change to a less hazardous occupancy?

Thanks for any enlightenment!

Sometimes can be a factor but

Not always

 

[steveray]

F2 to F1 would be an increase from low to moderate.....

 

[sergoodo]

F2 to F1 would be an increase from low to moderate.....

Thanks Steveray, but the terms low & moderate are what now giving me scruples since RLGA's B occ comment of a higher fire load than F-2 occ. Yet F-1 hazard is comparable to Group B.

Metal is listed in both F occupancies:
F-1 Metals
F-2 Metal product (fabrication and assembly)

B occupancy 'sign company' (print shop) can have a laser engraver and/or CNC for metal signs. Printing also now includes 3d metal printing. Mixed use occupancy F-2/B would be the logical code path. Graphics department/management/admin/shipping/receiving/break, etc classified as B and space manufacturing 'milling' equip resides would be F-2 - separated.

What about the person selling online crafty stuff like metal buttons & t-shirts on Etsy and they lease a 1000sf space in an office building. They move in a desk, small drill press to assemble the buttons and a 3 color silk screen press. An F occupancy is pretty much impossible where zoning exists. Besides the paint (which can be handled by a UL locker for smallm amounts), the equipment is no more hazardous than a microwave oven. IBC is practically silent on specific hazard levels of manufacturing equipment.

Can anybody give an example of a F-1 Metals occ that does not include fabrication and assembly? It's like everything metal is an F-2 occupancy except F-1 being an unlimited exception only including appliances, engines and aircraft for guidance. You put a manual press in a break room to recycle cans...BOOM F-2, that break room needs separation,

Is there any definitive guidance determining F-1 or F-2?

 

[cda]

Thanks Steveray, but the terms low & moderate are what now giving me scruples since RLGA's B occ comment of a higher fire load than F-2 occ. Yet F-1 hazard is comparable to Group B.

Metal is listed in both F occupancies:
F-1 Metals
F-2 Metal product (fabrication and assembly)

B occupancy 'sign company' (print shop) can have a laser engraver and/or CNC for metal signs. Printing also now includes 3d metal printing. Mixed use occupancy F-2/B would be the logical code path. Graphics department/management/admin/shipping/receiving/break, etc classified as B and space manufacturing 'milling' equip resides would be F-2 - separated.

What about the person selling online crafty stuff like metal buttons & t-shirts on Etsy and they lease a 1000sf space in an office building. They move in a desk, small drill press to assemble the buttons and a 3 color silk screen press. An F occupancy is pretty much impossible where zoning exists. Besides the paint (which can be handled by a UL locker for smallm amounts), the equipment is no more hazardous than a microwave oven. IBC is practically silent on specific hazard levels of manufacturing equipment.

Can anybody give an example of a F-1 Metals occ that does not include fabrication and assembly? It's like everything metal is an F-2 occupancy except F-1 being an unlimited exception only including appliances, engines and aircraft for guidance. You put a manual press in a break room to recycle cans...BOOM F-2, that break room needs separation,

Is there any definitive guidance determining F-1 or F-2?

If you are not """""""""" 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."""""""""""

You may not be a "F" ?????



Is there any definitive guidance determining F-1 or F-2?

Look at the examples, and do best fit

F-2, in my opin, No painting, welding, very little chemicals, burnables involved.


Brick, Ceramic, Glass, Ice,

Normally you do not see to many F-2 just like you do not see to many S-2's

 

[steveray]

Why do you think the sign company is a B?....I might go F1 for that....

 

[sergoodo]

Why do you think the sign company is a B?....I might go F1 for that....

B occupancy print shop that sells signs, trophies, and will print copies of your book report too. The print tech now is making semantics outta everything.

I understand what you are saying, but F1 is the same fire hazard as B. Thinking now the stratum of print shop hazard below the H occupancy and above the B occupancy that requires an F classification. Appears the NFPA/ NEC/other requirements would clarify appropriate designation of an F occupancy. If explosion proof plugs are required or explosive metals require special ventilation yet not triggering an H occ then the F occ would be clearly appropriate.

Looks like a dead end arguing whether a print shop is a mixed use B/F1, B/f2 or just a B. It's an opinion. Like CDA says - Do the best fit and I would simply add somebody won't agree.

Toner can be horrendously hazardous but you wheel in a xerox work center into an office and no body bats an eye. Wheel in an enclosed CNC machine the same size into the office and everybody craps in their pants.

If daddy wants to lease 1000sf office space for his daughter to move in a drill press to make custom metal buttons to sell on Etsy. Are we talking an F-1 or F-2 occupancy or is this a B occ print shop? A button print shop or maybe an e-commerce office.

 

[steveray]

Yep...all in the interpretation.....and the degree/ volume of what someone is doing....