What Use Group Would an Ice Cream Shop Be?

[fj80]

2012 IBC - What use group would an ice cream shop be? Assembly? Mercantile?

 

[cda]

""" Y """ --- Yum


More than likely a B, if small,,, A if bigger

 

[mtlogcabin]

303.1 Assembly Group A.
Assembly Group A occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic,social or religious functions; recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation.

303.1.1 Small buildings and tenant spaces.
A building or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons shall be classified as a Group B occupancy.

 

[ADAguy]

Chocolate or Vanilla? Its retail

 

[mtlogcabin]

food or drink consumption

Consumption on premises makes it a "B"
Strictly take out will make it an "M"

 

[PJC89]

The space would be classified as mercantile as it is used for the sales of goods. The occupant load factor that would apply is 60 gross sq. ft./person (assuming 2015 IBC).

https://up.codes/viewer/general/int...hapter/3/use-and-occupancy-classification#309

309.1 Mercantile Group M

Mercantile Group M occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure or a portion thereof for the display and sale of merchandise, and involves stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible to the public. Mercantile occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Department stores

Drug stores Markets

Motor fuel-dispensing facilities

Retail or wholesale stores

Sales rooms

 

[PJC89]

The space would be classified as mercantile as it is used for the sales of goods. The occupant load factor that would apply is 60 gross sq. ft./person (assuming 2015 IBC).

https://up.codes/viewer/general/int...hapter/3/use-and-occupancy-classification#309

309.1 Mercantile Group M

Mercantile Group M occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure or a portion thereof for the display and sale of merchandise, and involves stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible to the public. Mercantile occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Department stores

Drug stores Markets

Motor fuel-dispensing facilities

Retail or wholesale stores

Sales rooms

Just to clarify - this assumes that it is a shop only. If the space is half shop and half waiting area to be served then it may be a combination mixed use of mercantile and assembly. If the waiting areas are occupied by more than 50 persons the space would become an assembly occupancy. Use 5 net sq. ft./person for standing room area and 15 net sq. ft./person for table and chair seating to determine if the occupant load exceeds 50 persons. That is a fair amount of people within an ice cream shop so probably not likely. Lastly, if the space is occupied by more than 50 persons waiting to be served that particular space would be classified as an A-2 assembly occupancy:

303.3 Assembly Group A-2

Group A-2 occupancy includes assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption including, but not limited to:

Banquet halls

Casinos (gaming areas)

Nightclubs

Restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities (including associated commercial kitchens)

Taverns and bars

 

[mark handler]

B

 

[SCBO1]

 

[cda]

Is that a B or an EE???

 

[ADAguy]

Could be a "B" but a case is made for large numbers of line waiters. This often happens on "hot" nights at ice cream parlors.