IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
(OP)
thread507-184821: ASCE 7 - What is the definition of "area"
I am looking at an existing building that is having some changes made along with a small, new addition (seismically isolated). It is a Mercantile area and has an occupancy of 1350 or so. I'm trying to decided if I can justify Building Cat II or if I need to go III. The provision about 300 people congregating in one area is what I am concerned about. I found this older thread helpful, but I really don't have separate rooms - it's a large open grocery store. Any opinions? I can't say a grocery store is really public assembly in the way that a church or auditorium would be.
I am looking at an existing building that is having some changes made along with a small, new addition (seismically isolated). It is a Mercantile area and has an occupancy of 1350 or so. I'm trying to decided if I can justify Building Cat II or if I need to go III. The provision about 300 people congregating in one area is what I am concerned about. I found this older thread helpful, but I really don't have separate rooms - it's a large open grocery store. Any opinions? I can't say a grocery store is really public assembly in the way that a church or auditorium would be.






RE: IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
People dive out of parking lots into stores just like this during a thunderstorm.
RE: IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
RE: IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
RE: IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
1. It says PRIMARY occupancy is public assembly. I think a grocery sore is primarily mercantile.
2. People need 5 sf of space in an area of assembly for standing room only. If that is the case, a 40'x40' building would permit 300 people to stand with 5 sf of space during a thunderstorm and thus be CAT III. So are all buildings over 40'x40' cat III?
Thanks again.
RE: IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
Buildings and other structures whose primary occupancy is public assembly with an occupant load greater than 300.
...Variety of other definitions- mostly education related.
Any other occupancy with an occupant load greater than 5,000.
Assembly occupancy would be one of the Group A occupancies. A grocery store would fall into Group M - Mercantile. That would carry the 5,000 person limit in my opinion.
RE: IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
Stand before a judge and jury and explain your thoughts - while I don't completely disagree with you - I still do!!
300 is 300 whether they are assembling or playing cards or whatever 300 people do when they are ALL together. And God knows what they might be doing!!
RE: IBC Cat II or III with occupancy >300
Per IBC 2006, Section 309.1 - Mercantile occupancies shall include department stores, markets, retail or wholesale stores etc. However, there is a restriction on the quantity of hazardous materials that can be stored to qualify for mercantile occupancy.
Table 414.2.5(1)