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IBC 308 R-3, R-4USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION 2015 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE® COMMENTARY 3-23 fied as Group H-5. Such facilities and areas shall be designedand constructed in accordance with Section 415.10. HPM includes flammable liquids and gases, corro- sives, oxidizers and, in many instances, highly toxic materials (see the definition for “Hazardous produc- tion material” in Section 202). In determining the applicable requirements of other sections of the code, HPM facilities are considered to be Group H-5 occu- pancies. It is intended that the quantities of materials permitted in Table 415.11.1.1.1 will take precedence over Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2). [F] 307.8 Multiple hazards. Buildings and structures con-taining a material or materials representing hazards that areclassified in one or more of Groups H-1, H-2, H-3 and H-4shall conform to the code requirements for each of the occu-pancies so classified. If materials are present that possess characteristics of more than one Group H, high-hazard occupancy, then the structure must be designed to protect against the hazards of each relevant high-hazard occupancy classification. For example, a material could be classified as both a Class 2 oxidizer (Group H-3) and a corrosive (Group H-4). If the given quan- tity exceeded the maximum allowable quantity per control area individually for both a Class 2 oxidizer and a corrosive, the structure is required to conform to the applicable requirements of both Groups H-3and H-4. SECTION 308INSTITUTIONAL GROUP I 308.1 Institutional Group I. Institutional Group I occupancyincludes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or aportion thereof, in which care or supervision is provided topersons who are or are not capable of self-preservation with-out physical assistance or in which persons are detained forpenal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of theoccupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall beclassified as Group I-1, I-2, I-3 or I-4. Institutional occupancies are composed of two basic types. The first includes Groups I-1, I-2 and I-4 and relates to facilities where personal care, custodial care or medical care is provided for people who due to age, physical limitations, diseases, mental disabili- ties or other infirmities need a supervised environ- ment (see the commentary for the definitions of “Personal care,” “Custodial care” and “Medical care”). This includes persons who are ambulatory and are capable of self-preservation as well as those who are restricted in their mobility or are totally immobile to the extent that they are incapable of self-preservation and therefore may need assistance to evacuate dur- ing an emergency situation, such as a fire. The IFC also addresses the idea of a defend-in-place protec- tion option for hospitals and nursing homes (see the commentary for the definition of “Incapable of self- preservation” and the IFC Chapter 4 Commentary). The second type, Group I-3, relates primarily to detention and correctional facilities. Since security is the major operational consideration in these kinds of facilities, the occupants (inmates) are under some form of supervision and restraint and may be ren- dered incapable of self-preservation without direct intervention from staff in emergency situations due to locked cells and exits. The degree of hazards in each type of institutional facility identified in this section varies respective to each kind of occupancy. The code addresses each occupancy separately and the regulatory provisions throughout the code provide the proper means of pro- tection so as to produce an acceptable level of safety to life and property. Groups I-1, I-2 and I-3 are further divided into “con- ditions” relative to unique aspects of the respectiveoccupancies. Groups I-1 and R-4 are closely related and are primarily distinguished by the number of per-sons residing in the facility (see Section 308.3). Another of the distinguishing characteristics between the different Group I occupancies and other occupancies is when care is provided for a length of time exceeding 24 hours. The intent is that these cri- teria are not specific to the hours of operation of the facility, but the length of time that care is provided for the patients, residents or those in day care. For example, an outpatient clinic that is open 24 hours a day is a Group B occupancy provided care recipients are treated as outpatients and there are no in- patients who would stay at the facility 24 hours or lon- ger. Another example would be a “day care” facility that is open 24 hours to serve workers who work any shift and need to have children in “day care” while they work. Provided that individual children receive care for less than 24 hours, the occupancy would be classified as a Group I-4 or possible a Group E. Each individual facility will have unique characteris- tics or a combination of characteristics which should be considered when classifying it to one occupancy and condition or another. For example, some of the newer care facilities are offering a combination of care levels to allow for persons to age in place within the same complex. A facility could easily have a mix of occupancies such as one wing providing full-time nursing care (Group I-2, Condition 1); a second wing with assisted living care for residents with dementia who may need some direct physical contact from staff to react to an emergency (Group I-1, Condition 2); and yet a third wing with custodial care where resi- dents are capable of responding to an emergency on their own (Group I-1, Condition 1). Health care and custodial care facilities are subject to many state and local regulations. Such regulations may factor in which IBC occupancy classification is appropriate. Commentary Figure 308.1 provides a summary of care facility classifications. Copyright © ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Louis Hasbrouck (lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov), (City of Northampton Bldg Dept) Order Number #100330476 on Apr 11, 2019 08:21 AM(PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER. 100330476 USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION 3-24 2015 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE® COMMENTARYa. This is the option of complying with the International Residential Code providing an NFPA 13D automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with IBC Section 903.3.1.3. b. Rooms or spaces within places of religious worship; classified as part of primary occupancy—usually A-3.c. Floors in day care facilities where more than five but no more than 100 infants and toddlers (i.e., children 21/2 years or younger in age) can be classified as Group E provided rooms used as such are on the level of exit discharge and have exit door directly to exterior.Figure 308.1OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION OF CARE FACILITIES24-HOUR CAREType of careCapability of patients receiving careTypes of facilities1-5 Occupants6-16 OccupantsMore than 16 occupantsCustodialCapable of responding to emergency situation and complete building evacuation without assistanceAlcohol & drug center; assisted living; congregate care; group home; halfway house; residential board and care; social rehabilitationR-3aSec: 308.3.4R-4, Condition 1Sec. 308.3.3 & 310.6.1I-1 Condition 1Sec. 308.3.1CustodialAny residents who require limited verbal or physical assistance while responding to emergency situationAlcohol & drug center; assisted living; congregate care; group home; halfway house; residential board and care; social rehabilitationR-3aSec: 308.3.4R-4, Condition 2Sec. 308.3.3 &310.6.2I-1 Condition 2Sec. 308.3.2Medical Incapable of self-preservationNursing homes; foster care facilities; facilities providing nursing and medical care but without emergency, surgery or obstetric services or inpatient stabilization for psychiatric or detoxification.R-3aSec: 308.4.2I-2 Condition 1Sec. 308.4.1.1I-2 Condition 1Sec. 308.4.1.1Hospitals; facilities providing nursing and medical care including emergency, surgery or obstetric services or inpatient stabilization for psychiatric or detoxification.R-3aSec: 308.4.2I-2 Condition 2Sec. 308.4.1.2I-2 Condition 2Sec. 308.4.1.2LESS THAN 24-HOUR CAREType of Care or Service Age and Capability of occupantsTypes of Facilities1-5 In a dwelling unit1-5 occupants6 or more occupantsMedicalAny age—Capable of self-preservation Outpatient clinic; doctor’s office NABSec, 304.1BSec. 304.1Medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing Any age—Rendered incapable of self-preservationAmbulatory care facilityNABSec. 304.1BSec. 304.1Educational, supervisory or personal care servicesOlder than 21/2 years and 12th grade or youngerDay care, Child careR-3 Sec, 305.2.3Same of primary occupancy of BuildingSec. 305.2.1 & 305.2.2EbSec. 305.2Custodial care21/2 years or less and older where incapable of self-preservationDay care, Adult careR-3Sec. 308.6.4Same of primary occupancy of BuildingSec. 308.6.2 & 308.6.3I-4b,cSec, 308.6Copyright © ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Louis Hasbrouck (lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov), (City of Northampton Bldg Dept) Order Number #100330476 on Apr 11, 2019 08:21 AM(PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER. 100330476 USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION 2015 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE® COMMENTARY 3-25 308.2 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chap-ter 2: 24-HOUR BASIS. CUSTODIAL CARE. DETOXIFICATION FACILITIES. FOSTER CARE FACILITIES. HOSPITALS AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS. INCAPABLE OF SELF-PRESERVATION. MEDICAL CARE. NURSING HOMES. This section lists terms that are specifically associ- ated with the subject matter of this section. It is impor- tant to emphasize that these terms are not exclusively related to this section but may or may not also be applicable where the term is used elsewhere in the code. Definitions of terms can help in the understanding and application of the code requirements. The pur- pose for including a list within this chapter is to pro- vide more convenient access to terms which may have a specific or limited application within this chap- ter. For the complete definition and associated com- mentary, refer back to Chapter 2. Terms that are italicized provide a visual identification throughout the code that a definition exists for that term. The use and application of all defined terms are set forth in Section 201. 308.3 Institutional Group I-1. Institutional Group I-1 occu-pancy shall include buildings, structures or portions thereoffor more than 16 persons, excluding staff, who reside on a 24-hour basis in a supervised environment and receive custodialcare. Buildings of Group I-1 shall be classified as one of theoccupancy conditions specified in Section 308.3.1 or 308.3.2.This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Alcohol and drug centersAssisted living facilitiesCongregate care facilitiesGroup homesHalfway housesResidential board and care facilitiesSocial rehabilitation facilities Groups I-4 and R-4 are similar facilities that differ only by the number of residents receiving care. Groups I-1 and R-4 occupancies are based on three characterizations described in the occupancy classifi- cation: custodial care is provided; there is 24-hour-a- day supervision; and they are either Condition 1 or Condition 2. The difference is the number of per- sons receiving car and residing in such facilities. Group I-1 has more than 16 residents while Group R-4 has six to 16 persons. Note that Group I-1 and R-4 occupancies are limited facilities where custodial care is provided and not where medical care is pro- vided. See the commentary to Section 202 Defini- tions, “Custodial care” and “Medical care.” Groups I-1 and R-4 occupancies list the same eight generic uses as examples which fall under the Group I-1/R-4 umbrella. Of these eight, only “Group home” is defined (see commentary in Chapter 2). Some of these terms may be used in state and local regula- tions of care facilities. Caution should be taken before assuming that a state-defined “assisted living” facility should be classified under the IBC as a Group I-1 or R-4. Both Groups I-1 and R-4 include “conditions” to cover the variety of acuity and ability levels of cus- todial care recipients. Group I-1/R-4, Condition 1 match requirements for previous editions of the code for Group I-1 and R-4, before conditions were included. The intent of the conditions was to address concerns that some residents may need limited assistance or verbal direction to evacuate. The building protection offered for Group I-1/R-4 in previous editions of the code is maintained in Con- dition 1. Some additional requirements were added for Condition 2. Note that this is custodial care. Where nursing care is provided, the facility is a Group I-2, Condition 1. The Condition 1 care recipi- ents may be slower during evacuation, but all are capable of emergency evacuation without any phys- ical assistance from others. However, they require minor verbal cues from others during emergencies, as might be expected in the general population. Condition 2 custodial care recipients are also slower to evacuate and include any care recipients who may require limited assistance during evacua- tion. Group I-1/R4, Condition 2 integrates additional protection features, such as smoke barriers to sub- divide the building as well as increased automatic sprinkler requirements. In Group I-1/R-4, Condition 2 facilities, assistance with evacuation can occur because of care recipients’ physical or mental limitations, or both. The Condition 2 assistance with evacuation includes help getting out of bed and into a wheelchair or to a walker, or help initiating ambulation. It includes continued physi- cal assistance getting out of the building from a sleeping room, apartment, or other rooms during an emergency. Assistance with evacuation includes assisting persons who may have resistance or confu- sion in response to an alarm, or require help with instructions. It can also include help for persons with short periods of impaired consciousness intermit- tently due to medications or illness. Custodial care Group I-1/R-4, Condition 2 evacuation assistance does not include moving occupants in beds or stretchers during emergencies, as is allowed in Group I-2 medical care. How individual state licensing agencies name, classify and regulate many of the uses listed in Groups I-1 and R-4 vary significantly from state to state and may not correlate with the IBC classifica- tions. It is for this reason that the Groups I-1 and R-4 list of uses is included under the general occupancy classifications and not under each “condition.” The building permit applicant should confirm how the spe- Copyright © ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Louis Hasbrouck (lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov), (City of Northampton Bldg Dept) Order Number #100330476 on Apr 11, 2019 08:21 AM(PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER. 100330476 USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION 3-26 2015 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE® COMMENTARY cific state licensing regulations correlate to the code’s care type, occupancy, condition, evacuation capabil- ity, and number of persons receiving care. The permit application drawings should identify the five criteria, while specifically noting that the state licensing regu- lations limit occupants to only include Condition 1 cri- teria, or allow Condition 2 criteria. Most assisted living facilities and many residential board and care facili- ties will be classified as Group I-1, Condition 1 or Group R-4, Condition 1. Generally, almost all spe- cially designated Alzheimer’s/memory care facilities providing custodial care will be classified as Group I- 1, Condition 2 or Group R-4, Condition 2, due to the inability of some residents to recognize how to respond to an emergency situation. Note that nursing facilities with specialized dementia wings that provide medical care would be classified as Group I-2, Condi- tion 1. Also, it is important to keep in mind that facili- ties that may be classified initially as Group I-1, Condition 1 (capable of self-preservation) or Group R-4, Condition 1 can very easily need to be reclassi- fied as a Group I-1/R-4, Condition 2 or as a Group I- 2, Condition 1 if the abilities of the persons receiving care change over time. Therefore, it is essential for the proponents of a new facility to provide to the building official information regarding the full range ofpatients and residents expected at a facility both ini- tially and over time.The occupant load for occupancy classification pur- poses refers to the number of care recipients only. The number of guests or staff is not included. Note however, that the number of guests and staff is included for means of egress purposes. For clarification purposes, a dormitory or apartment complex that houses only elderly people and has a nonmedically trained live-in manager is not classified as an institutional occupancy but rather as a residen- tial occupancy (see Section 310). A critical phrase in the code to consider when evaluating this type of facility is “live in a supervised residential environ- ment.” Such dormitories or apartment complexes may contain features such as special emergency call switches that are located in each dwelling unit and monitored by health center staff. These emergency call switches are a convenience and do not necessar- ily indicate infirmity of the care recipients. 308.3.1 Condition 1. This occupancy condition shall includebuildings in which all persons receiving custodial care who,without any assistance, are capable of responding to an emer-gency situation to complete building evacuation. See the commentary to Section 308.3. 308.3.2 Condition 2. This occupancy condition shall includebuildings in which there are any persons receiving custodialcare who require limited verbal or physical assistance whileresponding to an emergency situation to complete buildingevacuation. See the commentary to Section 308.3. 308.3.3 Six to 16 persons receiving custodial care. A facil-ity housing not fewer than six and not more than 16 personsreceiving custodial care shall be classified as Group R-4. Any building that has the characteristics of a Group I- 1 occupancy but has more than five and not more than 16 persons receiving custodial care is classified as Group R-4 (see Section 310.6). Ninety- eight per- cent of households in the U.S. have less than 16 occupants, thus the limit of 16 is considered appropri- ate for a residential occupancy. Similar to Group I-1, Group R-4 is also divided into Conditions 1 and 2. 308.3.4 Five or fewer persons receiving custodial care. Afacility with five or fewer persons receiving custodial careshall be classified as Group R-3 or shall comply with theInternational Residential Code provided an automatic sprin-kler system is installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code. Any building that has the characteristics of a Group I- 1 occupancy (Condition 1 or 2, or both) but has five orfewer persons receiving custodial care is classified as Group R-3 (see Section 310.5) or may be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code® (IRC®) (see Section 310.5.1). When the code allows compliance in accordance with the IRC, the only requirements that would apply would be those of the IRC, including the installation of automatic sprin- kler protection. The intent is to allow persons to be cared for in a residential, or home, environment, often by family members. Please note similar provisions forGroup E occupancies as well as Groups I-2 and I-4. 308.4 Institutional Group I-2. Institutional Group I-2 occu-pancy shall include buildings and structures used for medicalcare on a 24-hour basis for more than five persons who areincapable of self-preservation. This group shall include, butnot be limited to, the following: Foster care facilitiesDetoxification facilitiesHospitalsNursing homesPsychiatric hospitals An occupancy classified in Group I-2 is characterized by three conditions: it is a health care facility where the level of care offered is medical care; there is 24- hour-a-day medical supervision for the individuals receiving care; and patients/residents require physi- cal assistance by staff or others to reach safety in an emergency situation (see the definitions for “Custo- dial care,” “Medical care,” “24-hour basis” and the five facility examples listed). Where a facility offers medi- cal care instead of custodial care, it is assumed that residents may not be capable of self-preservation. This assessment of the level of care provided needs to be taken with caution, and reliance on other state and federal guidelines and associated regulations may be necessary. Also, it is important to keep in mind that facilities that may be classified initially as Copyright © ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Louis Hasbrouck (lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov), (City of Northampton Bldg Dept) Order Number #100330476 on Apr 11, 2019 08:21 AM(PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER. 100330476