Nfpa 101

SECTION 1 - FIRE & PEOPLE UNIT 4 - OCCUPANCY TYPES AND MEANS OF EGRESS
UNIT GOAL
To introduce the student to the different types of occupancy use groups, occupancy loads, and how emergency exits are designed

UNIT OBJECTIVES
The Student by the End of the Semester Shall: • Identify Nine [9] Types of Occupancy Use Groups as Mentioned in NFPA Std 101 • Identify the Three Classifications ofHazard Contents • Define the Following Terms • Exit Access • Exit • Exit Discharge • Means of Egress • Demonstrate How to Determine the Occupancy Load of a Given Type Occupancy

KEY TERMS
Life Safety Code Occupancy Use Group High-Rise Building Means of Egress Exit Access Exit Exit Discharge Floor Area, Gross Floor Area, Net

Introduction
People tend to gather in groups to perform social and workrelated functions. Any time a number of persons are brought together their safety must be considered. In the fire protection field we have used this concept to classify different types of occupancy uses in several broad categories to better design adequate fire protection measures. When a fire occurs it is important to have all persons safely exit the building. History has shown us that when thisdoes not occur great tragedies tend to happen. It is important to understand what the proper ways are to exit a building. In this unit we will discuss the different types of occupancies that are classified in fire protection standards. Also discussed will be how fire exits are defined and what constitutes a proper emergency exit.

Occupancy Use Groups
Introduction to Fire Science Section 1,Unit 4 - Occupancy Types & Means of Egress Flannery Associates © Copyright January 2008 Page 1 of 10

Use groups are the most significant factor in design of a building . They should be first consideration during inspection They help determine • Building height and area • Type of construction • Built-in fire protection systems • Means of egress features Information is based on National FireProtection Association (NFPA) Standard 101, The Life Safety Code. This was developed as a direct result of the “Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911". After the “Coconut Grove Fire of 1942" major changes to the code appeared. This code is enforced on a local level by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) [ usually the construction or fire code official]. A broad definition is a person or office enforcingthe building and / or fire code. Occupancy use groups are a method of combining similar types occupancies into use groups for the purposes of enforcing the code. The Occupancy Use Groups mentioned in the Life Safety Code are the following: Assembly all buildings or portions of buildings used for gathering together of 50 or more persons for such purposes as deliberation, worship, entertainment,eating, drinking, amusement, or awaiting transportation. Types • • • • • • • •

assembly halls courtrooms dance halls drinking establishments motion picture theaters college or university classrooms, 50 persons or over places of worship restaurants

House large groups of people who may be unfamiliar with layout Educational Use for educational purposes through the 12th grade by six or morepersons for four or more hours per day or more than 12 hours per week • house large number of young people • may also include day-care facilities of any occupant load Institutional For those with limited capacity for self-preservation, age, medical condition, or confinement. Some code organizations classify as health care and detention/correctional Health Care Occupancies used for purposes such asmedical or other treatment or care of persons suffering from physical or mental illness, disease, or infirmity, and for the care of all infants, convalescents, or infirm aged persons
Introduction to Fire Science Section 1, Unit 4 - Occupancy Types & Means of Egress Flannery Associates © Copyright January 2008 Page 2 of 10

Types • hospitals • nursing homes Occupants are immobile, debilitated, or...