Article 2: Occupancy Classifications

§ 27-237 Occupancy groups.

Table 3-1 lists occupancy groups and sub groups that shall be established for classifying buildings and spaces in accordance with the provisions of articles three through twelve of this subchapter.

TABLE 3-1
Occupancy Classifications

Occupancy Group	Classification	Fire Index
A	High hazard	4
B-1	Storage (moderate hazard)	3
B-2	Storage (low hazard)	2
C	Mercantile	2
D-1	Industrial (moderate hazard)	3
D-2	Industrial (low hazard)	2
E	Business	2
F-1a	Assembly (theaters, etc.)	1
F-1b	Assembly (churches, concert halls, etc.)	1
F-2	Assembly (outdoors)	1
F-3	Assembly (museums, etc.)	1
F-4	Assembly (restaurants, etc.)	1
G	Education	1
H-1	Institutional (restrained)	1
H-2	Institutional (incapacitated)	1
J-1	Residential (hotels, etc.)	1
J-2	Residential (apartment houses, etc.)	1
J-3	Residential (one- and two-family dwellings)	1
K	Miscellaneous

 

§ 27-238 Classification of spaces.

Every space or room hereafter altered or erected shall, for the purposes of this code, be classified in one of the occupancy groups listed in Table 3-1 according to the occupancy or use of the space or room.

§ 27-239 Classification of buildings.

Every building hereafter erected or altered under the provisions of section 27-115 of article four of subchapter one of this chapter shall, for the purposes of this code, be classified in one of the occupancy groups listed in table 3-1 according to the main use or dominant occupancy of the building. However, at the option of the applicant, subject to the approval of the commissioner, buildings may be classified in any other occupancy group, provided such occupancy group has a higher fire index, as listed in table 3-1, than the fire index of the occupancy group classification of the main use or dominant occupant.

§ 27-240 Separation of occupancies.

Occupancies within buildings shall be separated from one another as follows:

   a.   Spaces classified in occupancy groups having a higher fire index, as listed in table 3-1, than the fire index of the occupancy group classification of the building, shall be separated from ad joining spaces by construction meeting the fire-resistance rating requirements for fire divisions under the provisions of subdivision (a) of section 27-339 of article five of subchapter five of this chapter. Such occupancies shall, for the purposes of this code, be classified and treated as separate buildings (hereinafter referred to as "building section").

   b.   Spaces classified in occupancy groups having the same or lower fire index, as listed in table 3-1, than the fire index of the occupancy group classification of the building, shall be separated from adjoining spaces by construction meeting the fire-resistance rating requirements for fire separations under the provisions of subdivision (b) of section 27-339 of article five of subchapter five of this chapter.

§ 27-241 Classification tables.

Table 3-2 and reference standard RS3-3 list representative occupancies that shall be used as a basis for classifying buildings and spaces by occupancy.

§ 27-242 Multiple occupancy or use.

When a building or space is used for multiple purposes, involving different activities at different times, the building or space shall be given a separate occupancy group classification for each of the activities involved. The design and construction of the building or space shall be in accordance with the most restrictive provisions of this code that apply to any of the occupancy group classifications utilized. However, a minor variation of any occupancy or use of a space from technical compliance with a particular space occupancy classification shall not be prohibited if such variation is normally associated with the occupancy classification and no specific danger or hazard is created.