Is my occupancy a B or an A?

[KRS5]

I'm trying to determine if my building would be considered a Business Occupancy (training and skill development not in a school) or an A-3 occupancy. the building is used as an officer training facility. There is an 820 sf sparring/ training room without equipment, another 850 SF room that houses a large 240 sf piece of equipment used for virtual training for 2 officers, a 140 sf waiting area, and another 400 sf comprised of utility space, equipment storage, and a restroom. Historical use data for this type of facility has proven the max allowed occupants admitted to the building is 15 due due the type of training being provided. Any information is appreciated.

 

[RLGA]

Overall, the building would be classified as a Group B. If either of the two larger rooms (820 sf and 850 sf) has an occupant load that exceeds 50, then that space would be classified as a Group A-3.

In my opinion, the 820 sf sparring/training room would be considered an "Exercise room" per Table 1006.5 (2018 IBC). Thus, its occupant load would be 17, so it would be less than 50 occupants and not classified as a Group A-3.

The 850 sf space with the 240 sf piece of equipment, will depend on how many people are proposed to use the equipment. Without knowing that information, I would still consider the space a "Shop or other vocational room area" under "Education." Thus, its occupant load would be 16; therefore, that room, too, should not be classified as a Group A-3.

 

[fatboy]

Once again, Ron is spot on!

 

[KRS5]

Overall, the building would be classified as a Group B. If either of the two larger rooms (820 sf and 850 sf) has an occupant load that exceeds 50, then that space would be classified as a Group A-3.

In my opinion, the 820 sf sparring/training room would be considered an "Exercise room" per Table 1006.5 (2018 IBC). Thus, its occupant load would be 17, so it would be less than 50 occupants and not classified as a Group A-3.

The 850 sf space with the 240 sf piece of equipment, will depend on how many people are proposed to use the equipment. Without knowing that information, I would still consider the space a "Shop or other vocational room area" under "Education." Thus, its occupant load would be 16; therefore, that room, too, should not be classified as a Group A-3.

Thanks for your response.

So, for this client, the applicable codes used are the I-Codes but they specifically use NFPA 101 Chapter 7 for egress purposes only. Looking at NFPA 101 Table 7.3.1.2, I was having a hard time determining what the use of each space would be. The IBC T1004.5 seems a little more forgiving with the exercise room at 50sf/person. I was thinking, with the NFPA 101, the 820 SF Sparring/Training Room would be considered Assembly use - Exercise Room without equipment 15sf/person. 820/15=55. Does this seem appropriate or could this also be considered vocational use? The exercise use for the NFPA is a much higher occupant load than the IBC. We have provided a direct exit to the outside from this space and another exit access from this space, through the waiting area to the main exit door of the building.

The 850 sf space with the 240 sf piece of equipment only allows 2 people in the equipment at once. The remainder of the 850 sf space is really unusable and inaccessible to trainees as it houses cameras that surround the large equipment. I will propose the vocational/ educational use for this space as suggested.
Sorry so long. Thanks.

 

[KRS5]

Thanks for your response.

So, for this client, the applicable codes used are the I-Codes but they specifically use NFPA 101 Chapter 7 for egress purposes only. Looking at NFPA 101 Table 7.3.1.2, I was having a hard time determining what the use of each space would be. The IBC T1004.5 seems a little more forgiving with the exercise room at 50sf/person. I was thinking, with the NFPA 101, the 820 SF Sparring/Training Room would be considered Assembly use - Exercise Room without equipment 15sf/person. 820/15=55. Does this seem appropriate or could this also be considered vocational use? The exercise use for the NFPA is a much higher occupant load than the IBC. We have provided a direct exit to the outside from this space and another exit access from this space, through the waiting area to the main exit door of the building.

The 850 sf space with the 240 sf piece of equipment only allows 2 people in the equipment at once. The remainder of the 850 sf space is really unusable and inaccessible to trainees as it houses cameras that surround the large equipment. I will propose the vocational/ educational use for this space as suggested.
Sorry so long. Thanks.

ALSO, is this building still considered a Group B even if the 820 sf space is an assembly use with an occupant load 50 or above? I don't know why but I'm really struggling with this one.

 

[RLGA]

Thanks for your response.

So, for this client, the applicable codes used are the I-Codes but they specifically use NFPA 101 Chapter 7 for egress purposes only. Looking at NFPA 101 Table 7.3.1.2, I was having a hard time determining what the use of each space would be. The IBC T1004.5 seems a little more forgiving with the exercise room at 50sf/person. I was thinking, with the NFPA 101, the 820 SF Sparring/Training Room would be considered Assembly use - Exercise Room without equipment 15sf/person. 820/15=55. Does this seem appropriate or could this also be considered vocational use? The exercise use for the NFPA is a much higher occupant load than the IBC. We have provided a direct exit to the outside from this space and another exit access from this space, through the waiting area to the main exit door of the building.

The 850 sf space with the 240 sf piece of equipment only allows 2 people in the equipment at once. The remainder of the 850 sf space is really unusable and inaccessible to trainees as it houses cameras that surround the large equipment. I will propose the vocational/ educational use for this space as suggested.
Sorry so long. Thanks.

If they use the NFPA 101 for "egress purposes only," then base the egress of the building using an occupant load of 55 for that space. But for all other "purposes" of the building code, such as occupancy classification, base it on 16; thus, Group B.

If they don't like that approach, then the Sparring/Training room would have to be classified as a Group A-3 and the rest of the building classified as Group B

 

[RLGA]

ALSO, is this building still considered a Group B even if the 820 sf space is an assembly use with an occupant load 50 or above? I don't know why but I'm really struggling with this one.

It would be considered a mixed occupancy building with both Group B and Group A-3.

 

[KRS5]

So, the building is fully sprinklered, a single story 20' high and well under the max allowable SF for either occupancy, am I correct saying this is mixed non-separated? Thanks again.

 

[RLGA]

So, the building is fully sprinklered, a single story 20' high and well under the max allowable SF for either occupancy, am I correct saying this is mixed non-separated? Thanks again.

Yes.