Occupancy Classification

Occupacy Classification is a method used in the 1935-miami-dade-building-code to categorize buildings based on their intended use or occupancy. This classification determines specific safety, construction, and maintenance requirements.

Overview

The code divides all types of buildings into groups based on their intended occupancy 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p5_24. These groups are labeled A through J, with each group having specific chapters detailing requirements for construction, height, area, stairs, exits, and fire protection (p. 6-9 of source). Every building, whether existing or new, is classified by the building-inspector according to its use or character of occupancy (p. 41). Any occupancy not specifically mentioned is classified into the group that most nearly resembles its life and fire hazard (p. 41).

Group A: Large Assembly

Group A includes theatres, auditoriums, schools, churches, and similar buildings with a seating capacity of 1,000 or more (Division 1) or 3,500 or more without a permanent stage (Division 2) 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64 (p. 45). These buildings must be of Type 1 Construction and have no limits on height, area, or seating capacity (p. 45). Key requirements include at least three exits on different sides of the auditorium and specific foyer area-to-seat ratios (p. 46). Stages and platforms must be Type 1 construction (p. 45).

Group B: Medium Assembly

Group B covers assembly occupancies with seating capacities between 300–999 (Division 1) or 750–3,499 without a permanent stage (Division 2) 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64 (p. 51). Construction limits vary by type: Type I has no height/area limits; Type II is limited to 75 ft/1,000 seats; Type III to 55 ft/750 seats (p. 51). Exits mirror Group A requirements but do not require a foyer, and balconies are only allowed in Type I construction (p. 52).

Group C: Small Assembly

Group C includes smaller assembly occupancies: under 300 seats with a stage (Division 1), 50–749 without a stage (Division 2), and under 50 without a stage (Division 3) 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64 (p. 54). This group allows Types I–V construction, with specific area/height tables based on street frontage (p. 55). Public/private schools over two stories must be Type I (p. 55). Classrooms for young children cannot be above the first floor in non-Type I buildings (p. 59). Foyers are not required, and seats need not be fixed (p. 57).

Group D: Detention and Institutional

Group D covers detention facilities (Division 1) and hospitals/sanitariums (Division 2) 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64 (p. 60). Division 1 must be Type I throughout (p. 61). Division 2 over one story requires one-hour fire-resistive floors/partitions (p. 61). Hospitals require ramps (1:6 slope) for bed-ridden patients (p. 61), and exit doors must use self-releasing latches (panic bolts) (p. 61).

Group E: High Hazard

Group E includes high-hazard industrial/commercial occupancies like garages, paint shops, and aircraft hangars 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64 (p. 62). Construction allows Types I–V with strict area/height limits (p. 63). Aircraft hangars are restricted to Types I and II, with max areas of 30,000 sq ft (Type I) and 15,000 sq ft (Type II), doubling with sprinklers (p. 64). Strict regulations apply to inflammable liquids and storage (p. 62, 63).

Change in Use

No change shall be made in the character of occupancy or use of any building which would place the building in a different Group unless the building complies with the requirements for that new Group (p. 41). Exceptions exist for existing buildings if the new use is less hazardous than the existing use, subject to the Building Inspector’s approval (p. 41). A Certificate of Occupancy is required for any change in occupancy (p. 41).

Mixed Occupancy and Fire Separation

When different portions of a building are placed in different occupancy Groups, “Fire Separation” must be provided to segregate each Group entirely (p. 41). These separations can be vertical, horizontal, or a combination, and are classified as “Absolute,” “Special,” or “Ordinary” depending on the hazard levels of the adjacent occupancies fire-separation-standards.

Related Documents

• 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64
• 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p25_44
• 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64

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