NFPA 101 compliance when building doesn't fit any occupancy category

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USACE_Nash

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Nashville, TN
Hello Everyone,
I'm looking for a little advice on determining NFPA occupancy when the building doesn't fit any of the existing types. We have a small visitor's center that is just a few restrooms and service closets so I'm not sure how to classify it. It's essentially just a comfort station; there is no lobby and the restrooms open directly to the outside. In one of the restrooms there are two service closets, one for electrical service and another for IT equipment for a display on the exterior of the building.

Initially I was going to try to classify it as an assembly occupancy as that seems the most generic but there's too many things in that section that don't make sense for our structure. Also I've searched these forums and others and with NFPA 101 questions a common answer is that the local building code should be followed. In this case we are on federal land and the AHJ has design guidance that specifically states that the building must be designed in accordance with NFPA 101.
 
Assembly is the last thing I would call it since there won't normally be a large number of people packed in it, and since assembly does have a lot of extra requirements.

I would probably call it a Business occupancy. The requirements are pretty general, and apply to a wide range of buildings.

Its not M since there isn't really any merchandise to be stored, displayed, or sold.
 
steve66 said:
Assembly is the last thing I would call it since there won't normally be a large number of people packed in it, and since assembly does have a lot of extra requirements.

I would probably call it a Business occupancy. The requirements are pretty general, and apply to a wide range of buildings.

Its not M since there isn't really any merchandise to be stored, displayed, or sold.
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Yes, assembly probably isn't the best; I'll look at the Business occupancy. Originally there was going to be more to the building which I think would have fallen under assembly, but now that it's been scaled down it's not a good fit. It's really not much more that a restroom building like you would find at a highway rest stop.

I had originally passed over business when trying to reclassify, as there is not any 'transaction of business' as in the 6.1.11 but looking at A.3.3.196.3 the longer definition definitely looks more generic than anything else.
 
Vince1971 said:
I would classify it as Group U per IBC.
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Utility group U is usually for storage buildings - not for buildings that are normally occupied.

Although for this simple building, the requirements may not be any different. Especially the electrical requirements.
 
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