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Occupancy classification

S

salomon

Registered User
Joined
Nov 3, 2018
Messages
6
Location
MA
Hi,

Since there are usually a couple different ways to approach occupancy classification and it affects certain design/construction/permitting requirements, I would appreciate some thoughts on the following situation. Consider a 1,000 sf cabin that will need to be renovated with a small new addition. The cabin will be used for private residential/leisure purposes for most of the year. For a part of the summer it may be used as a day camp / training center for high school aged participants (that may change over time).

What is the most appropriate occupancy classification that also gives the most flexibility with the design? Can it just be Residential, and if so, will a temporary use permit be needed in the summer? Is it Business, because it involves some training activity that is not residential and also not a grade school? Or is it Educational since there is an educational component and the participants are high school aged? IBC is a bit vague here.

Since the overall expected population is about 15 people total, egress and toilet fixture count should not be a problem. R occupancy would be less stringent in terms of exit signs, fire extinguisher cabinets etc. Since the location is in a rural jurisdiction with no inspections/permits and nobody to make that call, the only requirement is to follow IBC 2012 (which can be done in a few different ways). Would it be permissible to classify it as Residential occupancy and just forego the temporary use permit since there is no permitting authority?

Would appreciate any insight if someone's come across similar situations.
 
So during the training will they sleep there??

Or is it come for the day and leave?
 
cda said:
So during the training will they sleep there??

Or is it come for the day and leave?
Click to expand...

Correct - they would come in the mornings and leave in the evenings. Only staff of 2-3 people would stay overnight. That would be one month of the year max.
 
Sounds like more R than anything

Kind of like having religious meetings in your house, normally does not change occupancy type
 
R would drive more restriction than B but maybe not E......I would have to look at it both ways, but at 1200 sqft and 15 OL, it is really not much of a hazard...
 
Sounds like a group home to me. Less than 16 persons excluding staff R-4, condition 1.

So are you putting in sprinklers as required by the IBC? Do you need to since there is no permit or inspections?
 
Consider your liability (risk management) exposure; fire, theft, wind, minor occupants, site isolation, injuries, etc.
 
The cabin will be used for private residential/leisure purposes for most of the year.
 
Yes, a volunteer staff of 2-3 people would be housed there for one month of the year.

I don't believe sprinklers are necessarily required for any of those occupancies as it is a one-story structure with a small area. In terms of design requirements, can't think of anything other than exit signs and fire extinguisher cabinets (and strobes?) that would be different depending on the occupancy.
 
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