Occupancy classification for performance-based life safety

• Published in: Fire and materials Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 281 - 289
• Main Authors: Beller, D. K., Watts Jr, J. M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.11.1999; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Exact sciences and technology; Fire protection; Fire safety. Legislation; Performance evaluation; Safety standard; Design criterion; Housing tenure; Safety engineering; Classification; Person evacuation; Numerical simulation; Fire safety
• ISSN: 0308-0501; 1099-1018
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1018(199911/12)23:6<281::AID-FAM700>3.0.CO;2-R

A fundamental concept of fire safety codes is the categorization of buildings according to their occupancy or use. The intrinsic purpose of such classification is to simplify the application of code regulations. While actual occupancy fire risk varies in every building space, administration is greatly facilitated by classification into a small number of categories. In application, once determined, occupancy class becomes the basis for building fire risk assessments. Traditional occupancy classification by building function is challenged by modern multifunctional structures that do not fit the earlier categories. Furthermore, these traditional categories are unnecessary given the current capabilities of performance‐based fire safety design and by performance‐based fire safety codes. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.