NFPA PACE / RP flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Assembly occupancy definition

An occupancy or portion thereof used for gathering of 50 or more persons for purposes such as civic, social, religious, educational, or recreational activities, as defined in NFPA 101.

Concentrated assembly occupant load factor

For assembly areas with tables and chairs, the occupant load factor is 7 square feet per person, used to calculate the total occupant load for egress design.

Unconcentrated assembly occupant load factor

For assembly areas without fixed seating, such as standing areas or exhibit halls, the occupant load factor is 15 square feet per person for egress calculations.

Egress capacity factor for level components

In assembly occupancies, level egress components (corridors, aisles) must provide 0.2 inches of clear width per person of occupant load.

Egress capacity factor for risers

Stairs and risers in assembly occupancies require 0.3 inches of clear width per person, reflecting the slower movement on stairs compared to level surfaces.

Assembly travel distance without sprinklers

The maximum travel distance to an exit in an unsprinklered assembly occupancy is 200 feet, measured along the path of egress travel.

Assembly travel distance with sprinklers

In a fully sprinklered assembly occupancy, the maximum travel distance to an exit is increased to 250 feet along the path of egress.

Common path of travel limit

In assembly occupancies, the common path of travel is limited to 75 feet without sprinklers and 100 feet with sprinklers, ensuring two distinct egress paths.

Crowd manager requirement

Assembly occupancies with an occupant load exceeding 500 (or 250 in some conditions) must have at least one crowd manager per 250 occupants, per NFPA 101.

Interior finish Class A requirement

Class A interior wall and ceiling finish is required in exits and in rooms with occupant load over 100, limiting flame spread and smoke development.

Minimum clear egress width

The minimum clear width for new construction egress paths in assembly occupancies is 28 inches, though larger widths may be required based on occupant load.

Visible notification appliances

In assembly occupancies, visible alarm notification appliances must be provided in public and common areas to alert hearing-impaired occupants, per NFPA 72.

Assembly exit access corridor width

Corridors serving assembly occupancies must be at least 44 inches wide, or wider if required by occupant load calculations using the capacity factor.

Assembly seating aisle width

Aisles in assembly seating must be at least 36 inches wide for rows of seats, increasing with the number of seats served, per NFPA 101.

Assembly stage exit requirement

Stages in assembly occupancies require at least two exits when the stage area exceeds 1,000 square feet or has an occupant load over 50.

Assembly occupancy separation

Assembly occupancies must be separated from other occupancies by fire barriers with a fire-resistance rating based on the occupant load and sprinkler protection.

Residential occupancy definition

An occupancy providing sleeping accommodations for occupants, including hotels, motels, dormitories, apartments, and lodging or rooming houses, as defined by NFPA 101.

Residential Group R-1

Hotels and dormitories where occupants are primarily transient and sleeping accommodations are provided, typically with 24-hour staff and fire alarm systems.

Residential Group R-2

Lodging or rooming houses with sleeping accommodations for more than 16 occupants, where occupants are not primarily transient and cooking may be shared.

Residential Group R-3

Apartment buildings and other residential occupancies where occupants are primarily permanent and each unit has independent cooking and sanitary facilities.

Residential Group R-4

Residential care or assisted living facilities with sleeping accommodations for more than 5 but not more than 16 occupants, excluding staff, who require personal care.

Residential Group R-5

One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not classified as R-3, typically with not more than two dwelling units and no shared egress.

Smoke alarm location requirement

Smoke alarms must be installed in all sleeping rooms and in the immediate vicinity of sleeping areas, and they must be interconnected in new residential construction.

Carbon monoxide alarm requirement

Carbon monoxide alarms are required in residential occupancies containing fuel-burning appliances or attached garages, per NFPA 720 and NFPA 101.

Residential travel distance limit

In residential occupancies, travel distance to an exit is limited to 125 feet without sprinklers and 200 feet with sprinklers, measured along the egress path.

Secondary means of escape

Each sleeping room in a residential occupancy must have access to at least two means of escape, which may include a door or window leading directly outside.

Fire escape stairs permitted

Fire escape stairs and ladders are allowed as secondary means of escape in existing residential buildings of three stories or less, subject to NFPA 101 7.2.8.

Emergency lighting illumination level

Emergency lighting in residential common areas such as corridors and stairways must provide a minimum of 1 footcandle (10 lux) at floor level.

Residential corridor fire separation

In R-1 and R-2 occupancies, sleeping rooms must be separated from corridors by smoke-tight construction to limit smoke spread during a fire.

Portable extinguisher requirement

Residential occupancies generally do not require portable extinguishers except in hazardous areas such as boiler rooms and common kitchens, per NFPA 101 29.3.6.

Residential cooking equipment protection

In residential occupancies, cooking equipment in common areas must be protected by a fire suppression system or listed extinguishing unit when required by code.

Residential fire alarm system

R-1 and R-2 occupancies require a manual fire alarm system with initiation devices in corridors and notification throughout, unless exempted by occupant load.