Hazardous Occupancy Requirements (Groups E, F, G)
The 1935-miami-dade-building-code classifies industrial and commercial buildings into three primary groups based on their fire and life hazard levels: Group E (highly hazardous), Group F (moderately hazardous), and Group G (non-hazardous). These classifications dictate specific requirements for construction types, height and area limits, ventilation, and safety apparatus.
Group E: Highly Hazardous Occupancies
Group E includes occupancies with high fire or life hazards, such as public garages and dry cleaning plants 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 65).
- Construction and Exits: Group E buildings must have at least two means of egress from each story, including basements unless used solely for heating 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 65). Public garages cannot be Type V construction and must have incombustible floors 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 67).
- Ventilation: Mechanical ventilation is required for rooms with human occupancy, supplying 30 cubic feet of air per minute per occupant 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 65). Automobile storage areas require one complete air change every 15 minutes 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 65).
- Special Hazards: Dry cleaning plants using combustible solvents must be Type I construction, one story high, with four-hour fire-resistive partitions and specific exhaust ventilation 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 66). The use of inflammable liquids must comply with the national-board-of-fire-underwriters 1930 ordinance 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 66).
Group F: Moderately Hazardous Occupancies
Group F covers wholesale/retail stores, offices, restaurants, and factories using non-highly inflammable materials 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 67).
- Construction Limits: Maximum height and area are determined by construction type and street frontage. For instance, Type II construction allows up to 75 feet (7 stories) with area limits ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 sq. ft. 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 68).
- Ventilation: Mechanical systems must provide at least four air changes per hour 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 69).
- Safety: Storage of volatile inflammable liquids is prohibited unless compliant with specific fire prevention ordinances 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 69).
Group G: Non-Hazardous Occupancies
Group G includes ice plants, power plants, and factories using incombustible materials 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 70).
- Construction: Type II construction allows up to 75 feet (7 stories) with area limits up to 20,000 sq. ft. for buildings fronting on one street 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 71).
- Vertical Openings: Enclosure of vertical openings is not required except as specified in egress-and-exit-standards 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 72).
Common Requirements Across Groups
- Fire Separation: All groups require separation from other occupancies per Section 503, aligning with fire-separation-standards 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 67, 70, 73).
- Meter Rooms: Multiple occupancy buildings must have an independent central meter room for electrical equipment 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 67, 70).
- Inflammable Liquids: Strict regulations govern the storage and use of gasoline and fuel oils, referencing the national-board-of-fire-underwriters 1930 ordinance 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 66, 69, 72).
- Fire Zones: Construction requirements may be further restricted based on location within fire-zones 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p65_84(p. 81).
These requirements ensure that industrial and commercial buildings mitigate risks associated with their specific occupancy hazards, integrating hazardous-occupancy-requirements with broader occupancy-classification standards.
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