Quiet/Wellness Rooms in Office Buildings

[NFPAnarc]

A lot of recent designs I've been reviewing in office buildings all have these "quiet" or "wellness" rooms that although are not explicitly described or in intended to be sleeping rooms its been said to anticipate sleeping in these rooms. The idea is that a tired employee can rest in these spaces and refresh themselves which many argue means people will likely fall asleep. I don't really see these spaces as R occupancies since it isn't their use but I agree that these rooms require some additional protections. Have you guys encountered these spaces before and what code sections do you usually apply to them?

 

[RLGA]

I say: do not make a big deal out of them.

In decades past when most employees occupied individual offices, the occupants in those offices could easily close their office door and taken a nap (I have done this myself). With the proliferation of open-office cubicle farms, employees (except those in upper management) typically cannot close out the environment and take a snooze.

I do not think the current situation is any different than that of the past. As long as they are not providing full sleeping quarters (i.e., sleeping units by IBC definition) or tens of dozens of these rooms, I do not believe they should garner any special consideration.

 

[NFPAnarc]

I say: do not make a big deal out of them.

In decades past when most employees occupied individual offices, the occupants in those offices could easily close their office door and taken a nap (I have done this myself). With the proliferation of open-office cubicle farms, employees (except those in upper management) typically cannot close out the environment and take a snooze.

I do not think the current situation is any different than that of the past. As long as they are not providing full sleeping quarters (i.e., sleeping units by IBC definition) or tens of dozens of these rooms, I do not believe they should garner any special consideration.

Generally I agree but when an AHJ asks for a code justification or just flat out says "this is an R occupancy if someone could sleep here" its in a gray area.

For the same of argument lets say it was a 10 person bunk room in an fully sprinklered open office floor plan, which I think would be a R-3 occupancy (a mix of people work there every day and guests of the building, so a mix of familiarity with the building), is built into an office building similarly to a private office. Its accessible off of the open/common corridor path for the open office in a separated room. We'll assume the travel distance and common paths of travel are compliant. Would a rated corridor for that room be needed?

 

[RLGA]

There is nothing in the IBC that prevents the B.O. from enforcing code requirements as they see fit, provided there is some logical connection between a code requirement and its intended application.

However, if residential requirements are applied to every place where people sleep, whether intended or not, then many college lecture halls and classrooms would be reclassified as Group R Occupancies.

 

[steveray]

I wouldn't call a lecture room chair a permanent provision for sleeping....Shirley a bed is.....

 

[Yikes]

From a 1940's Architectural Record magazine:

 

[NFPAnarc]

True, I think its a growing trend that may get more attention. Has anyone experienced sleeping pods? I've only seen advertisements but I assume it you put enough of them in one room it would warrant some attention.

 

[Sifu]

I have one called a "war room".

 

[TheCommish]

As a BO i would not be making a statment "for a code justification or just flat out says "this is an R occupancy if someone could sleep here" has a much weight as show me a code verse so that the proposed warehouse will not be used as a nuclear bomb factory.

People possible could do all sort of things that are not allowed until they do there is no voliation.

 

[steveray]

I have one called a "war room".

Public works garage?

 

[Yikes]

I've seen a lot of blueprints for older school buildings where the ladies restrooms would have a space for furniture labeled "PMS Cot". And the word "rest" is literally part of the word "restroom". Somehow these managed to not be considered "residential".

 

[Sifu]

Public works garage?

Ironically, a large production builder's regional office. I guess that is where they will battle it out with the subs and homeowners? I reviewed it as a conference room since they have a rather large conference table. The creativity in fancy naming knows no bounds, I try to ignore the names and decipher the use.

 

[Yikes]

Ironically, a large production builder's regional office. I guess that is where they will battle it out with the subs and homeowners? I reviewed it as a conference room since they have a rather large conference table. The creativity in fancy naming knows no bounds, I try to ignore the names and decipher the use.

War Room - call it the "Theater of War" - Occupancy class A.