Dade County Building Code (1935)

group-a-occupancy-requirements

Properties1
descriptionStrict construction and egress rules for large assembly occupancies in the 1935 Code.

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Group A Occupancy Requirements

Group A Occupancies refer to large assembly buildings with significant seating capacities, as defined in Chapter 6 of the 1935-miami-dade-building-code (p. 45). This occupancy group is characterized by stringent safety and construction standards due to the high density of people and potential fire hazards associated with stages and large audiences.

Definition and Classification

Group A is divided into two divisions based on seating capacity and the presence of a permanent stage:

  • Division 1: Buildings with a permanent stage and a seating capacity of 1,000 or more. This includes theatres, motion picture theatres, auditoriums, churches, schools, and similar structures (p. 45).
  • Division 2: Buildings without a permanent stage but with a seating capacity of 3,500 or more (p. 45).

Construction and Location

  • Construction Type: Group A buildings must be of occupancy-classification Type 1 Construction. There are no limits on height, floor area, or seating capacity for these buildings (p. 45).
  • Stages and Platforms: Stages and platforms must also be of Type 1 construction (p. 45).
  • Location: Buildings must front directly on a public street at least 20 feet wide, where the main entrance and exit are located. The main floor must be at or near ground level (p. 45).
  • Exterior Walls: Walls less than 5 feet from property lines (except street fronts) must have no openings. Openings less than 10 feet from property lines require one-hour fire-resistive protection (p. 45).

Egress and Exit Standards

egress-and-exit-standards are critical for Group A buildings:

  • Number of Exits: At least three exits are required on different sides of the auditorium, each at least 5 feet wide, opening directly to a street or an open exit court (p. 46).
  • Main Entrance Width: Calculated based on seating capacity: 2 feet per 100 persons up to 1,000; 1 foot per 100 persons up to 2,000; and 6 inches per 100 persons thereafter (p. 46).
  • Foyer: A foyer is required at the main entrance, with an area of 1 square foot per seat. It must be at the same level as the back of the auditorium, connected to the street by ramps with a slope not exceeding 1:10 (p. 46).
  • Exit Courts: Side exits not fronting a street must lead to open courts or Type 1 passageways. Width requirements increase with seating capacity (p. 46).
  • Balconies and Galleries: Exits must be provided from each side, with widths calculated at 22 inches per 75 seats. Balconies over 50 seats require exits leading directly to a street or court (p. 47).
  • Aisles: Aisles must be at least 3 feet wide (one side) or 3.5 feet wide (both sides), increasing in width toward the foyer. No steps or obstructions are allowed (p. 48).

Safety and Fire Protection

  • Fire Extinguishing Apparatus: Automatic sprinklers and standpipes are required (p. 50).
  • Special Hazards: Inflammable liquids are prohibited. Gas services to stages must be separated and have external shut-off valves (p. 50).
  • Lighting and Ventilation: Natural or artificial light and ventilation are required. Mechanical systems must supply 30 cubic feet of air per minute per occupant (p. 49).
  • Exit Signs: Illuminated “EXIT” signs with dual circuits are required and must be lit whenever the building is occupied (p. 49).

Relation to Other Groups

Group A requirements are the most stringent among assembly occupancies. group-a-occupancy-requirements serve as a baseline for 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64’s discussion of Group B and Group C buildings, which have lower seating capacities and thus relaxed requirements (e.g., no foyer required for Group B, p. 52).

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p265_284

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