This document outlines specific building requirements for Group E (highly hazardous), Group F (moderately hazardous), Group G (non-hazardous), Group H (residential/hotels), Group I (small dwellings/hospitals), and Group J (accessory/amusement) occupancies under the 1935-miami-dade-building-code. It also defines the boundaries for fire-zones 1 and 2.
Group E: Highly Hazardous Occupancies
hazardous-occupancy-requirements includes occupancies with high fire or life hazards 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 65). Key requirements include:
- Exits: At least two means of egress from each story, including basements unless used solely for heating apparatus 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 65). See egress-and-exit-standards.
- Ventilation: Rooms with human occupancy require windows equal to 1/8 of floor area or mechanical ventilation 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).
- Sanitation: Separate toilets are mandated for different races, reflecting the segregation laws of the era 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). See fire-separation-standards.
- Public Garages: Cannot be Type V construction; floors must be incombustible 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 67).
Group F: Moderately Hazardous Occupancies
occupancy-classification 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: Maximum height and area limits are defined by construction type (I-V) and street frontage 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 68). For example, Type II construction allows up to 75 feet (7 stories) with area limits ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 sq. ft. depending on street frontage 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).
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: Similar height and area tables apply, with Type II allowing up to 75 feet (7 stories) 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 71).
- Vertical Openings: Enclosure of vertical openings is not required except as specified in Chapter 33 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 72).
Group H: Residential and Hotel Occupancies
residential-and-accessory-occupancy-requirements Group H covers hotels, apartments, dormitories, and convents 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 73).
- Regulation: Buildings must conform to florida-hotel-state-commission rules if they are more restrictive than this code 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 73).
- Lighting: Living/sleeping rooms require windows with area not less than 15% of the floor area 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 75).
- Exits: Stairs must open directly to a street, alley, or yard connected to a street 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 75). See egress-and-exit-standards.
Group I: Small Dwellings and Hospitals
Group I includes dwellings for up to two families and hospitals with up to six patients 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 76).
- Construction: Type I and II areas are unlimited; Type V is limited to 7,500 sq. ft. 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 76).
- Attached Garages: Must have a one-hour fire-resistive ceiling/floor separation from living spaces, with specific door requirements (solid slab wood, no glass) 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 77). See fire-separation-standards.
Group J: Accessory and Amusement Structures
Group J includes private garages, sheds, stadiums, and amusement park structures 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 78).
- Stadiums: Exits must be provided at a rate of one 7-foot wide exit per 2,000 persons; aisles must be at least 3 feet 6 inches wide 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 79). See egress-and-exit-standards.
- Private Garages: Must have ventilation openings of at least 60 square inches per car stored 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 80).
Fire Zones
The entire city of city-of-miami is declared a Fire District, divided into Zones 1, 2, and 3 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 81). See fire-zones.
- Fire Zone 1: Defined by a complex boundary along the miami-river, biscayne-bay, and specific streets/alleys in downtown Miami 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 81-83).
- Fire Zone 2 (Secondary): Extends along biscayne-boulevard and federal-highway, covering areas such as Bayshore, Coral Park, and Miami Shores 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 83-84).
Common Requirements
- Meter Rooms: Multiple occupancy buildings must have an independent central meter room (3’x5’, 7’ ceiling) for electrical equipment 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 67, 70, 73, 77, 80).
- Mixed Occupancies: Separation from other occupancies is required per Section 503 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 67, 70, 73, 76, 81). See fire-separation-standards.
- Inflammable Liquids: Strict regulations govern the storage and use of gasoline and fuel oils, referencing the 1930 national-board-of-fire-underwriters ordinance 1935 Miami Dade Building Code p65 84(p. 66, 69, 72, 76, 80).
Related Concepts
- hazardous-occupancy-requirements
- residential-and-accessory-occupancy-requirements
- egress-and-exit-standards
- fire-separation-standards
- occupancy-classification
- fire-zones