IBC Use group for small yard tool store

[Hyrax4978]

Trying to figure out the use of a small yard tool store. I clearly have some storage and Business use. My question is; the area of the building where they have aisles kind of like a small retail store, is that mercantile, or B use? Its not under 10% so not accessory. I see auto show rooms are B uses. But this is more like partly a small yard tools such as chain saws, weed whackers on the perimeter walls and partly belts, filters, toys, tee shirts, etc. on the aisle shelving. There is also a parts counter where you go to order parts or buy parts. Are the aisle shelving areas Mercantile or B use. Would the chain saw and weed whackers be M or B. Drug stores and sales rooms are mercantile. Most of the people are just walking in, going up to the counter and leaving. Its not a store that most people would walk the aisles like you would think in a truly mercantile area. But some will shop the small tools but that seems kind of like a B use and not M.

Also client is trying to save a few bucks. of course they always turn to the sprinklers for the savings. Trying to confirm if he can even omit them at this point and still save money. Sometimes omitting sprinklers costs the clients more in rated walls etc.

Looking at S-1, M and B at this point. if the M is really M based on my question above. building is approximately 15,000 sf. assume S-1 of just over 6,000 SF and M of just over 6,000 sf. and about 3k of B use.

I was looking at using a nonseparated type thought, but then starting thinking about section 903. even though my uses are around 6k, if I don't have rated walls, then my fire areas are the entire floor area correct? so even though my S-1 and M uses are only 6k each, because I'm not rating any walls my fire areas become the entire 15,000 SF triggering sprinklers. correct? To avoid sprinklers I need a 3 hr. wall compliant with 707.3.10

 

[steveray]

I'd say M....not exactly sure why the car dealers go B....maybe because they are not really selling cars out of the showroom....it is the office function of the outdoor sales...

 

[fatboy]

I'm with steveray, M occupancy. I suppose you could split the S-1 out, but I figure that is part of an M occupancy. Unless it was disproportionately larger I guess?

 

[Hyrax4978]

I was going to call the "back of house" storage areas S-1. its the storage of parts and such that they sell. Its basically unoccupied unless a sales guy goes back there. So i was going to call that S-1 and sounds like the consensus is the sales area is M.

 

[classicT]

I concur, M and S-1.

At 15,000sf, as long as you have 30-ft all the way around the building, your allowable area should be fine even if Type V-B construction. Issue comes in that your fire area is still limited to 12,000sf if non-sprinkled per IBC Section 903.2.9. 3-hr fire barrier between S-1 and M?

 

[cda]

M

 

[RLGA]

Group M for the sales area, Group B for any administrative space (offices, conference rooms, employee break room, etc.), and Group S-1 for the stockroom.

To avoid a sprinkler system the building will need a 3-hour fire barrier to keep the Group M and Group S-1 fire areas below 12,000 sq. ft.

 

[Hyrax4978]

We are designing in an alternate for a larger building. the alternate would be for a 26,000 SF building.
If we wanted an open floor plan, M use is the limiting factor. and at tabular IIB NS starting at 12,500 sf, we wouldn't even be able to get there with the open perimeter increase. that would max out at 21,875 SF.

But we can prorate it if its separated over the other uses which have larger tabular areas. my question is, since there is no separation requirements between M, B and S-1 can i call it separated to use the prorated areas which will allow me a slightly larger building than just basing it on the M only. calling it separated seems weird though because there is technically no requirement to rate the separations we could then call it separated and leave it open between uses?? that doesn't sound right though...

 

[RLGA]

my question is, since there is no separation requirements between M, B and S-1 can i call it separated to use the prorated areas which will allow me a slightly larger building than just basing it on the M only.

Yes

 

[Tim Mailloux]

I would say the entire building is M, the stock area and office area go hand and hand with a mercantile occupancy and I see no reason to break them off as separate uses. I have done large chain super markets in the past and we always classified the entire store as M. Never had a BO disagree.

I know chapter 3 and 10 are not related, but table 1004.1.2 has a separate occupant load factor for Mercantile Storage, Stock & shipping areas, I don't think the ICC would have added that if they considered the back of house storage areas an S occupancy.

 

[mtlogcabin]

we wouldn't even be able to get there with the open perimeter increase. that would max out at 21,875 SF.

Can you use 507.4 unlimited area building

507.4 Sprinklered, one-story buildings.
The area of a Group A-4 building not more than one story above grade plane of other than Type V construction, or the area of a Group B, F, M or S building no more than one story above grade plane of any construction type, shall not be limited where the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and is surrounded and adjoined by public ways or yards not less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width.

 

[steveray]

I would say the entire building is M, the stock area and office area go hand and hand with a mercantile occupancy and I see no reason to break them off as separate uses. I have done large chain super markets in the past and we always classified the entire store as M. Never had a BO disagree.

I know chapter 3 and 10 are not related, but table 1004.1.2 has a separate occupant load factor for Mercantile Storage, Stock & shipping areas, I don't think the ICC would have added that if they considered the back of house storage areas an S occupancy.

I like it...Don't agree with it for the reason you stated as it would conflict with the rest of our 3 and 10 separation thought process. Maybe a code change that allows all S uses accessory to M be considered M? Maybe up to a certain % beyond the normal 10%?

 

[Tim Mailloux]

I like it...Don't agree with it for the reason you stated as it would conflict with the rest of our 3 and 10 separation thought process. Maybe a code change that allows all S uses accessory to M be considered M? Maybe up to a certain % beyond the normal 10%?

I dont think a code change is needed and I would again argue that that large stock rooms are considered part of the overall M occupancy.

 

[steveray]

Looks like the M is more restrictive in most ways where it would matter....Like I said, I have no issue with it, just think a tweak to make it clearer would be nice, and not have conflicting interpretations of the way we view the separation (of M/S) use and (M/S) OL tables and muddying that water any more...