PSB LBO key terms

The process of assigning a building or portion of it to a use group based on the character of the activities expected inside, which then governs allowable height, area, fire protection, and egress requirements.

A named category of occupancy, such as assembly, business, educational, factory, hazardous, institutional, mercantile, residential, storage, or utility, into which a building is placed for code application.

A classification of building construction based on the fire resistance of structural elements, ranging from noncombustible protected types through combustible types, which limits permitted height and floor area.

The most fire-resistive construction class, in which structural members are noncombustible and protected to high hourly ratings, permitting the greatest building heights and areas.

The least restrictive construction class, allowing combustible structural elements such as wood frame, and therefore subject to the tightest limits on height, area, and required separation.

A building containing two or more distinct use groups, which must be separated by rated fire barriers or evaluated as a single occupancy using the most restrictive requirements.

A subordinate space, such as a boiler room, storage room, or laboratory, whose use is ancillary to the main occupancy and may require separation or sprinkler protection under specific criteria.

The maximum floor area permitted for a building or story, determined from the base tabular area adjusted for frontage, sprinkler protection, and occupancy separation.

An allowance that increases permitted building area when a structure abuts open public ways or yards on one or more sides, giving firefighting access and reducing exposure risk.

A fire-resistance-rated wall that divides a building into separate area compartments, allowing each side to be treated independently for allowable area and sometimes for construction type.

The period, in hours or fractions of an hour, that a building element resists fire exposure under standardized test conditions, expressed in the code as a required or provided rating.

A wall with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall, used to create separate buildings.

A fire-resistance-rated wall or floor assembly that restricts the spread of fire and is continuous from the floor slab to the underside of the floor or roof above.

Fire-rated assemblies such as doors, windows, shutters, and fire dampers that protect openings in rated walls and floors and must carry a rating appropriate to the assembly.

A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to a public way, composed of the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge.

The portion of the means of egress that leads from the occupied space to an exit, including aisles, corridors, and the intervening rooms and spaces.

The portion of the means of egress between the termination of an exit and a public way, such as an exterior exit door leading to a yard or sidewalk.

The measured length along the natural path of travel from the most remote point in a space to an exit, limited by occupancy and whether the building is sprinklered.

The portion of exit access travel that occupants must traverse before reaching a point where two distinct egress paths become available, limited to control dead-end exposure.

A corridor segment with only one direction of escape, permitted only within limited lengths because occupants could be trapped if fire blocks the single path.

The clear capacity of an exit component, measured in inches and calculated per occupant, ensuring doors, stairs, and corridors can serve the occupant load assigned to them.

The total number of persons that a space or story is designed to hold, computed from floor area divided by an occupant load factor or from fixed seating counts.

A continuous, unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces within a site or building that complies with dimensional, slope, and surface requirements for people with disabilities.

A continuous path of travel to the public way that can be used by persons with disabilities, including accessible routes, areas of refuge, and compliant stairs or ramps where permitted.

A designated space, often a stair landing or rated room, where persons unable to use stairs can wait for assistance during an emergency evacuation.

The formal submittal, including plans, specifications, and supporting data, by which an applicant requests authority to construct, alter, or change the use of a building.

The technical examination of construction documents by code staff to verify compliance with applicable codes and ordinances before a permit is issued.

The drawings, specifications, calculations, and other submittals that describe the proposed work in sufficient detail for the code official to determine compliance.

The official act of approving an application and releasing a permit, which authorizes the applicant to begin the permitted work subject to stated conditions.

A document issued after final inspection confirming that a building or space complies with code and may lawfully be occupied for its stated use.

A change in how a building or space is occupied that may trigger new code requirements, such as added egress, fire protection, or accessibility upgrades.

An on-site verification by the code official that work matches approved plans and code requirements at defined stages, such as foundation, framing, and final completion.

The concluding inspection that confirms all permitted work is complete and compliant, allowing issuance of a certificate of occupancy or closeout of the permit.

A written directive halting work that is proceeding without a permit, contrary to approved plans, or in an unsafe manner until the violation is corrected.

A formal written notice to a property owner or responsible party identifying a code violation and specifying required corrective action and a compliance deadline.

A building or portion that is structurally deficient, a fire hazard, or otherwise dangerous to life or safety, authorizing the code official to order repair, vacating, or demolition.

The process of eliminating a violation or unsafe condition, whether by the owner's corrective work or by the jurisdiction acting after notice and legal authority.

A structure already erected and lawfully occupied before the current code edition, subject to separate provisions governing repairs, alterations, additions, and changes of use.

The ongoing duty to keep a building's fire protection, egress, structural, and life-safety systems in good repair and functioning as originally approved throughout occupancy.

The constitutional protection requiring fair notice, an opportunity to be heard, and reasoned decisions before a government body restricts property rights or imposes penalties.

A formal request for review of a code official's decision by an administrative board or court, which must be filed within the time and manner set by statute or ordinance.

An authorized deviation from a strict code requirement granted when literal enforcement would cause practical difficulty, provided the intent and safety of the code are preserved.

The statutory power granted to the building official to interpret and enforce the code, issue permits, conduct inspections, and order correction of violations.

A situation in which a reviewer's or inspector's personal, financial, or other interest could improperly influence official decisions, requiring disclosure and recusal.