Small Coffeeshop within a Business occupancy - rated separation?

[benjamin_eb]

Hello all. I'm working on a project where a bank wants to put a small coffeeshop in one exterior corner of their new downtown building. The coffeeshop will be operated by an outside supplier/manager. The specifics are below, but the gist is that it's a super small coffeeshop with no cooktops, hoods, or ovens. All appliances are countertop, and are the typical "non-cooking" type, such as espresso machines and coffee brewers. No food will be prepared in the space. Any food offered will be brought in pre-prepared. From what I can tell, this space will be considered a Business occupancy, as the occupant load is far below 50. Our local inspector asked me about the space, and whether it needs to be separated from the rest of the building. I would like to respond with a well-documented answer as to why the space does not need to be separated.

Has anyone else worked through a situation such as this? These little coffeeshop areas are quite common. I don't think this one is required to have special separation from the rest of the building, based on what I read regarding Mixed, Business, and F-1 occupancies. Your thoughts?

Specifics:
Three story brick and steel building, Type IIB, new construction, sprinkled.
First floor is 10,900 GSF, Business occupancy.
The coffeeshop is 157 sqft.
No cooking equipment or hot food prep. No hoods.

Thanks for any input you may have!

 

[BN4537]

Coffee shop would be an A-2 per 303.3, but then you get to call it a B because it is under 50 people per 303.1.2.

A bank is also a B occupancy.

I don't see any requirement to separate a B occupancy from a B occupancy.

Also, see 508.3 and Table 508.4

2018 IBC

 

[bill1952]

If the coffee shop is wide open to the bank, I agree no separation is required. I see no problem with a coffee shop in middle of a lobby or anywhere like that.

I am less comfortable with a room in the corner with opaque walls so no vision between bank and shop and it operating separately on its own hours and separate ingress and egress.

Similar differences in how a mezzanine that is a part of and opened to space below is treated differently than a second floor room of same size used for something else by as someone else.

 

[benjamin_eb]

@Beniah Naylor and @bill1952, thank you very much for your input!
I'm moving forward with not separating the space from the rest of the building.

 

[benjamin_eb]

If the coffee shop is wide open to the bank, I agree no separation is required. I see no problem with a coffee shop in middle of a lobby or anywhere like that.

I am less comfortable with a room in the corner with opaque walls so no vision between bank and shop and it operating separately on its own hours and separate ingress and egress.

Similar differences in how a mezzanine that is a part of and opened to space below is treated differently than a second floor room of same size used for something else by as someone else.

The coffee shop is open to the bank lobby. Very visible and accessible. But you make a good point that it could be hazardous if the coffee shop was operating in its own little world, not visible from other locations.