Occupancy Classification: Daycare, Assembly, and Office in Type VB

The daycare for 30 children older than 2.5 years is Group E, not an accessory to the office. The code classifies child-care facilities for more than five children older than 2.5 years as Group E because of the occupants' limited ability to self-evacuate. The community room with 49 occupants and no fixed seats is Group A-3, an assembly occupancy. The real estate office with 15 occupants is Group B. The building overall is a mixed-occupancy building unless the tenant spaces are separated by fire barriers as required for separated occupancies. The owner's argument that the daycare is accessory to the office fails because the daycare is not subordinate in area, does not serve only the office, and introduces a distinct occupancy with a different hazard profile. The official should require the applicant to either provide code-compliant fire separations between the occupancies or treat the building as a single mixed occupancy using the most restrictive provisions. The official should also check whether the daycare has the required fire separation from the other tenants and whether the assembly room's occupant load is correctly calculated.

Type VB construction is unprotected wood frame, so the allowable height and area are limited. For Group E, the allowable height is one story and the allowable area is 4,000 square feet. For Group A-3, the allowable height is one story and the allowable area is 4,000 square feet. For Group B, the allowable height is two stories and the allowable area is 9,000 square feet. For Group S-2, the allowable height is two stories and the allowable area is 9,000 square feet. The existing first floor is 6,000 square feet, which already exceeds the 4,000-square-foot limit if Group E or Group A-3 controls. Adding a second story would make the building two stories, but Group E and Group A-3 are limited to one story in Type VB. The proposed storage story would not be allowed above those occupancies unless the building is sprinklered or the occupancies are separated in a way that changes the analysis. The official should not approve the second story based on the Group B or S-2 limits alone, because the most restrictive occupancy governs unless the building is divided into separate buildings by fire walls. The official should require a code analysis showing how the height and area limits are satisfied, including any allowable increases for frontage or sprinklers.

The building has only one exit door, which is insufficient for the combined occupant load of 30 children, 49 assembly occupants, and 15 office occupants. Even if the daycare is considered separately, Group E with 30 children may require two exits depending on the travel distance and the common path of egress travel. Group A-3 with 49 occupants is allowed a single exit only if the travel distance and common path limits are met; however, the building's total occupant load of 94 means the single exit cannot serve the whole building unless the occupancies are separated by fire barriers and each space is independently evaluated. The 3-foot-wide assembly door is 36 inches, which is wide enough for 49 occupants, but the door must swing in the direction of egress if the occupant load is 50 or more; at 49 it is not required, but the official should check the actual calculated load. The office door is 32 inches, which is the minimum clear width, so it may be acceptable if the clear opening is maintained. The daycare and assembly room likely need a second remote exit, and the exit path must be continuous and unobstructed. The official should require a revised egress plan showing two exits, proper door widths, panic hardware where required, and a compliant outdoor play area exit.