Isabella Carter
The number of people that constitute an assembly and the relevant building code requirements vary depending on the type of assembly and the local regulations. According to the International Building Code (IBC), Assembly Group A includes gatherings for civic, social, or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, and awaiting transportation. Within Group A, there are further subdivisions: A-1 refers to fixed-seating assemblies for viewing performing arts or movies; A-2 is for eating establishments; A-3 is for meditation rooms; and A-4 includes indoor sporting events. A building or space with less than 50 occupants is typically classified as a B occupancy (Business), while a space under 750 square feet that is accessory to another occupancy is also considered Group B. Factors such as seating arrangements and the presence of tables can impact the maximum occupant load, with denser configurations allowing for more people. For example, a standing-room-only assembly can accommodate up to 1700 people in a 7000-square-foot space, whereas loose chairs would reduce the capacity to 1215 people. Additionally, specific requirements like panic hardware on exit doors may be mandated for assemblies with over 50 people. Understanding the relevant building codes and occupancy classifications is crucial for ensuring compliance and the safety of those utilizing the space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occupancy Classification | Group A, Group B, Group E |
| Group A Occupancy | Gathering of persons for civic, social or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, or awaiting transportation |
| Group A-1 Occupancy | Viewing of performing arts, movies, TV and radio studios with an audience |
| Group A-2 Occupancy | Eating establishments |
| Group A-3 Occupancy | Meditation |
| Group A-4 Occupancy | Viewing of indoor sporting events and activities |
| Group A-5 Occupancy | Not mentioned |
| Group B Occupancy | Less than 50 occupants, less than 750 sq ft |
| Group E Occupancy | Assembly areas used only by students and teachers |
| Occupant Load Calculation | 5 sf per person (standing room only), 7 sf per person (loose chairs), 1 person per 7 sq ft (movable seating, no tables) |
| Exits | 2 exits for up to 500 people, 3 exits for more than 500 people |
| Door Requirements | Panic hardware for more than 50 occupants, automatic doors for more than 300 occupants |
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What You'll Learn
- Assembly Group A includes civic, social, or religious gatherings and recreation
- Assembly Group A-1 includes fixed seating for performing arts and movies
- Assembly Group B is for businesses with less than 50 occupants
- Assembly Group A-2 is for eating establishments
- Assembly occupancies with over 300 people must have automatic doors to conform to the IBC code
Assembly Group A includes civic, social, or religious gatherings and recreation
Assembly Group A includes the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering of persons for civic, social, or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, or awaiting transportation. The International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) divide Group A occupancies into five sub-groups.
Assembly Group A-1 includes assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of performing arts, movies, concerts, TV and radio studios, and movie theaters. Group A-2 includes assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption. Group A-3 includes assembly uses for worship, recreation, or amusement, and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group A, such as art galleries, bowling alleys, community halls, dance halls, museums, and indoor swimming pools. Group A-4 includes assembly uses intended for viewing indoor sporting events and activities with spectator seating, including swimming pools and tennis courts. Group A-5 includes assembly uses for participation in or viewing outdoor activities, including amusement park structures and stadiums.
The number of people constituting an Assembly Group A occupancy varies depending on the specific circumstances. According to the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, an assembly occupancy is defined as a gathering of 50 or more people for deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, or awaiting transportation. However, some sources state that a building or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons shall be classified as a Group B occupancy. Additionally, the density of occupants may also be considered, with standing room only allowing for 5 square feet per person, while loose chairs require 7 square feet per person.
It is important to note that accessory religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums with occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space are not considered separate occupancies. These rooms would normally be classified as Group B or Group E, but the IBC considers them Group A-3 as long as they are solely used for religious education.
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Assembly Group A-1 includes fixed seating for performing arts and movies
Assembly Group A includes occupancies that are used for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, or awaiting transportation. Assembly Group A is further divided into five subgroups: A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, and A-5.
Assembly Group A-1 includes occupancies with fixed seating intended for the production and viewing of performing arts and motion pictures. This includes movie theatres, symphony and concert halls, television and radio studios with an audience, and other types of theatres. Group A-1 occupancies usually have a large number of occupants, with some older building codes requiring an occupant load of 1,000 or more for a structure to be classified as Group A-1. Newer building codes have more stringent requirements for Group A-1 occupancies in terms of height, area, and construction types.
The number of occupants in an assembly building is an important factor in determining the building code and the required safety features. For example, the I-Codes require doors serving an assembly occupancy to be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware if the calculated occupant load is 50 people or more. Similarly, accessible public entrances in some types of buildings, including assembly occupancies, are required to have automatic doors if the calculated occupant load is greater than 300 people.
The presence of fixed seating in an assembly occupancy also impacts the calculation of the occupant load factor, which is used to determine the number of people that may occupy a space. The type of seating or standing space available in the assembly building will affect the occupant load factor and, consequently, the classification of the building as either Group A or Group B occupancy.
In summary, Assembly Group A-1 includes fixed seating for performing arts and movie productions and viewing. The classification of a building as Group A-1 depends on the number of occupants, the presence of fixed seating, and the specific building code requirements.
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Assembly Group B is for businesses with less than 50 occupants
The specific group within Assembly Group B is determined by the nature of the activities conducted. For example, Group A-1 includes assembly uses with fixed seating intended for the production and viewing of performing arts, motion pictures, or indoor sporting events. Group A-2 is for eating establishments, while Group A-3 is for worship, recreation, or amusement. Group A-4 and Group A-5 are for viewing indoor sporting activities and participating in or viewing outdoor activities, respectively.
Buildings that fall under Assembly Group B have less stringent requirements than those in Group A. For instance, a restaurant with seating for less than 50 people may not be addressed in the code as either mercantile or business. In such cases, code enforcement officials typically enforce the stricter side of the code. Additionally, smaller assembly spaces with an occupant load of less than 50 people are exempt from certain requirements, such as the need for panic hardware on egress doors.
It's important to note that the occupant load calculation can vary depending on the type of seating and table arrangement. For example, using the ratio of 1 person per 7 square feet with movable seating and no tables, a room may accommodate 93 people. However, if the same room is used for business purposes, the occupant load calculation changes to 1 person per 100 or 150 square feet, resulting in a significantly lower occupant load of 5 to 7 people.
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Assembly Group A-2 is for eating establishments
Assembly Group A includes buildings or portions thereof used for the gathering of people for various purposes, including entertainment, worship, eating or drinking, and awaiting transportation. Assembly Group A is further divided into five subgroups, A-1 to A-5, each with specific occupancy classifications.
Assembly Group A-2 is one of the subgroups of Assembly Group A and is specifically designated for eating establishments. This group includes buildings or spaces intended for food and/or drink consumption, such as restaurants, bars, banquet halls, and nightclubs. The classification falls under the International Building Code, which is the most commonly used building code in the United States.
The distinction between Assembly Group A-2 and other subgroups lies in the intended purpose of the establishment. While A-2 is for eating establishments, other subgroups like A-1 are for viewing performing arts or motion pictures, and A-3 is for worship, recreation, or amusement. The specific classification is essential for determining the applicable building and safety codes, including fire protection and life safety systems.
It is important to note that the building occupancy classifications are based on the intended use and gathering of people. The specific number of people constituting Assembly Group A-2 may vary depending on local regulations and the specific establishment's size and capacity. However, according to the International Building Code, restaurants within Assembly Group A are typically defined as having 50 or more possible occupants.
In the context of small eating establishments, there have been challenges in interpreting building codes. The focus of these establishments is typically on food production and sales, with seating being a courtesy rather than the main purpose. Interpretations of the code have varied, with some considering a separate room with tables or table service as meeting the criteria for assembly use, while others disagree. The 2015 IBC modifications clarified the code for food-related businesses without onsite dining, and the 2018 IBC introduced revisions to separate restroom facilities, addressing some of the challenges faced by small eating establishments.
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Assembly occupancies with over 300 people must have automatic doors to conform to the IBC code
Assembly occupancies are used for gatherings of people for various purposes, including meetings, eating, performances, civic functions, social events, and religious activities. The International Building Code (IBC) defines the various types of assembly occupancies, with Group A being the most common.
Group A-1 occupancies refer to assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of performing arts, movies, and other events in spaces such as concert halls and movie theaters. Group A-2 occupancies are intended for food and/or drink consumption in eating establishments. Group A-3 occupancies include places of religious worship, while Group A-4 occupancies are for viewing indoor sporting events and activities.
When it comes to assembly occupancies, ensuring safe and efficient exiting is crucial, especially in the event of an emergency. According to the IBC, assembly occupancies with a calculated occupant load of more than 300 people are required to have automatic doors at their public entrances. This requirement is part of the 2021 IBC edition and aims to improve accessibility and safety for building occupants. The automatic doors can be either full power-operated or low-energy power-operated.
This mandate applies to almost all types of assembly occupancies, with the exception of Group A-5. It stipulates that at least one door or one set of doors (exterior and vestibule) at each accessible public entrance must be automatic. This change is expected to be enforced when jurisdictions adopt the 2021 IBC edition, primarily applying to new buildings and renovations rather than existing structures.
In summary, assembly occupancies with over 300 people must have automatic doors to conform to the IBC code. This requirement enhances accessibility and safety for a large number of occupants in assembly spaces.
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Frequently asked questions
A building with less than 50 occupants is classified as a Group B occupancy (Business).
A building with 50 or more occupants is classified as a Group A assembly occupancy.
Assembly Group A-1 includes assembly uses with fixed seating intended for the production and viewing of performing arts, movies, TV and radio shows. Examples include movie theaters, concert halls, and symphony halls.
Assembly Group A-2 includes assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption. Examples include restaurants and eating establishments.
The 2021 IBC requires buildings with Assembly Occupancies (except Group A-5) with a calculated occupant load of greater than 300 people to have at least one automatic door or set of automatic doors at each accessible public entrance.
