Occupancy classification is established in IBC 2024 Chapter 3 (Groups A through U). Once the occupancy is determined, fire alarm “when required” criteria are typically evaluated under the adopted fire/building code provisions (commonly IFC/IBC Section 907), and the system is then designed and installed to NFPA 72 (latest adopted edition).
Assembly Group A Occupancy
IBC 2024 Section 303.1 describes Group A as uses intended for the gathering of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions; recreation; food or drink consumption; or awaiting transportation. (Definition summarized)
- IBC 2024 Section 303.1.1 (Small buildings/tenant spaces): A building or tenant space used for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 50 persons is classified as Group B. (Common “small assembly” rule)
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IBC 2024 Section 303.1.2 (Small accessory assembly spaces):
Small assembly rooms/spaces that are accessory to another occupancy are not classified as Group A when they meet either condition:
- Occupant load less than 50 and accessory to another occupancy; or
- Area less than 750 ft² and accessory to another occupancy.
Special Amusement Buildings: Refer to IBC 2024 Section 411 for special amusement building provisions (where applicable).
Group A is divided into five subgroups:
- A-1: Performing arts / motion pictures, typically fixed seating (theaters, concert halls, etc.).
- A-2: Food/drink consumption (restaurants, banquet halls, nightclubs, bars, associated kitchens, etc.).
- A-3: Worship, recreation, amusement, and other assembly not otherwise classified (courtrooms, libraries, museums, worship spaces, etc.).
- A-4: Indoor sporting events/activities with spectator seating (arenas, skating rinks, etc.).
- A-5: Outdoor participation/viewing (stadiums, grandstands, bleachers, amusement park structures, etc.).
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Business Group B Occupancy
Group B generally includes office, professional, or service-type transactions, including storage of records and accounts. Assembly uses with occupant load less than 50 are also commonly classified as Group B per the small-assembly criteria above.
Examples may include (not all-inclusive): banks, barber/beauty shops, clinics/outpatient facilities, laboratories for testing/research, print shops, training/skill development (when not classified as Group A), and similar business uses.
For special cases and cross-references in the modern model-code framework, see the IBC provisions addressing: Airport traffic control towers (Section 304.2), ambulatory care facilities (Section 304.3), and higher education laboratories (Section 304.4), as applicable to your project conditions.
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Educational Group E Occupancy
IBC 2024 Section 305.1: Educational uses (through the 12th grade) generally fall under Group E when the threshold number of persons is met.
IBC 2024 Section 305.2 (Day care): Day care uses include spaces occupied by more than five children older than 2½ years who receive educational, supervision, or personal care services for fewer than 24 hours per day.
Note: Day care classification is one of the most amendment-sensitive areas in practice. Always verify local amendments and AHJ interpretations.
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Factory Industrial Group F Occupancy
Factory uses include assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair, or processing that are not classified as Group H (Hazardous) or Group S (Storage). Group F is divided into F-1 (Moderate Hazard) and F-2 (Low Hazard).
- F-1 (Moderate Hazard): Factory uses not classified as F-2.
- F-2 (Low Hazard): Uses involving noncombustible materials where operations do not present a significant fire hazard.
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High-Hazard Group H Occupancy
Group H includes manufacturing, processing, generation, or storage of materials presenting physical or health hazards in quantities exceeding permitted control areas/thresholds. Classification and thresholds are addressed in IBC Chapter 3, Section 307 (and related tables).
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Institutional Group I Occupancy
Group I includes uses where occupants are cared for or housed in a supervised environment, where self-preservation may be limited, or where liberty is restricted. Group I includes I-1 through I-4 with conditions depending on care type and evacuation capability.
Group I-1:
Condition 2 - This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which there are any persons receiving custodial care who require limited verbal or physical assistance while responding to an emergency situation to complete building evacuation.
This occupancy classification will include but not limited to alcohol and drug centers, assisted living facilities, congregate care facilities, group homes, halfway houses, residential board and care facilities, and social rehabilitation facilities.
A facility housing not less than six and not more than 16 persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as a group R-4 occupancy. A facility with five or less persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as a group R-3 or shall comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) provided in automatic sprinkler system is installed in accordance with sections 903.3.1.3 or section P2904 of the International Residential Code (IRC).
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Group I-2:
Condition 1 - This occupancy condition shall include facilities that provide nursing and medical care but do not provide emergency care, surgery, obstetrics or in-patient stabilization units for psychiatric or detoxification, including but not limited to nursing homes and foster care facilities.
Condition 2 - This occupancy classification shall include facilities that provide nursing and medical care and could provide emergency care, surgery, obstetrics or inpatient stabilization units for psychiatric or detoxification, including but not limited to hospitals.
Less than five people shall be considered a Group R-3. This group shall include but not be limited to the following: foster care facilities, detoxification facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, and psychiatric hospitals.
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Group I-3 (Correction Notice)
Your draft listed the I-3 conditions but accidentally labeled them as “Group I-2.” Those condition statements should be labeled Group I-3.
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Group I-4 (Day Care) – Threshold Correction
Modern adoption language commonly describes I-4 day care as buildings/structures occupied by more than six clients/persons of any age receiving custodial care for fewer than 24 hours per day (verify local amendments).
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Mercantile Group M Occupancy
Group M is the display and sale of merchandise and involves stock of goods (department stores, drug stores, markets, retail/wholesale, etc.).
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Residential Group R Occupancy
Group R includes sleeping purposes not classified as Group I and not regulated by the IRC (where applicable). Groups include R-1 (transient), R-2 (permanent), R-3 (smaller residential), and R-4 (custodial care residences with conditions).
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Storage Group S Occupancy
Group S includes storage not classified as Group H. Group S-1 is moderate hazard storage; Group S-2 is low hazard storage.
Public parking garages are addressed under the applicable IBC special provisions (e.g., IBC Chapter 4 special uses and occupancy-related sections), and should be evaluated based on open vs enclosed garage criteria.
Utility and Miscellaneous Group U Occupancy
Group U includes buildings/structures not classified in the other occupancy groups (sheds, barns, towers, private garages, etc.), subject to size/height thresholds and local amendments.
Disclaimer: Always verify the adopted IBC/IFC edition, local amendments, and AHJ interpretations for the jurisdiction.
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