Building Consistency Meeting
Commercial
Date 05/02/2012 Recorder and minutes prepared by Danny Wooten/Vikki Stokes
Staff present: On File
Public present: John Mecks (Appleblossom); Mark Wattles (Gorilla Construction);
Heather Gavagan (Smith Harris Design);
Topics/Subject
Decisions/Conclusions/Actions
Old
Business
None
New
Business
Section1104.4
Exception 1
Section 1007.8
Occupant Load
Table 1004.1.1
Section
1405.13.2 Fall
Protection
If a building has an aggregate floor area above or below the level of exit
discharge including mezzanines more than 3000 sq. ft. an accessibly
route is required to be provided to those stories.
Two-way communications are not required at the elevator if two-way
communications are provided at the areas of refuge on the floors served
by the elevator or another accessible means of egress is provided such
as a ramp.
Occupant load is based on the use function of a space not on the
occupancy. See attached.
In R occupancies window openings that are located more than 72”
above finished grade and less than 24” above finished floor shall be
provided with hardware that will restrict the opening to less than 4”.
Occupant Load vs Separation of Mixed Uses for Accessory “Assembly” Spaces
Q: How is the occupant load calculated for assembly spaces that are accessory to other
uses?
A: The occupant load of any room or space is calculated using the figures in Table
1004.1 based on the function of the particular room or space in question. There has been
some confusion surrounding this because of code sections 303 Assembly Group A and
508.2 Accessory Occupancies. Both of these sections have to do with the separation of
uses, not occupant loads.
Example:
An 8,000 sf tenant space on the 4th floor of a 4 story Type IIA unsprinklered building is
being upfit to house offices and work space for a local business. Included in the floor
plan are 3 conference rooms outfitted with tables and chairs. Each conference room
measures approximately 250 sq ft. There is also a reception lobby measuring 150 sq ft in
which the plan shows 12 fixed seats. The kitchenette break room for employees is 8’ x
12’ or 96 sq ft. The balance of the floor area (7004 sf) is office / work space.
Questions:
1. What is the occupant load of this tenant space?
2. Are separations required between the “assembly” & Business spaces?
1. Occupant load:
Conference rooms
Reception lobby
250 sf x 3 = 750 sf
750 sf ÷ 15 =
12 fixed seats =
50 people*
12 people
Break Room
Office / Work area
96 sf ÷ 100 =
7004 sf ÷ 100 =
1 person**
70 people
Total Occupant Load 133 people
*no panic hardware needed since each room has less than 50 occupants
** based on local interpretation for break room of 100 sf or less
2. Separations:
No separations are required between the “assembly” areas and the Business portion in
this example.
Section 508.2.1 Area Limitations – since each individual “assembly” space is less than
750sf, they are not counted towards the 10% area limitation but are considered part of the
occupancy of the main use.
Section 508.2.2 Occupancy Classification – refers to 302.1 for classification (see
following)
Section 303.1 Assembly Group A - exception #2 applies because the reception lobby and
each conference room has less than 50 people. Exception #3 also applies because the
reception lobby and each conference room has less than 750 sf. Note: the break room (<
100 sf) is not considered assembly space based on local interpretation.
Approved by Lon McSwain
4/26/12
Occupancy use first, then decide if there is any accessory occupancy, then do
occupant load.
Approved By ___Lon McSwain_________ Date _______05/30/2012