BCAB #1362 - Occupancy Classification, Spray Finishing in Woodworking Shop, Article 3.1.3.5.

August 16, 1994

BCAB #1362

Re: Occupancy Classification, Spray Finishing in Woodworking Shop, Article 3.1.3.5.

Project Description

The project in question is a woodworking shop of approximately 120 m2 in a multi-tenant industrial building with a building area of 1628 m2. The tenant space includes a room of about 90 m2 for spray finishing the products produced in the woodworking shop.

Reason for Appeal

Major occupancies, other than Group F Divisions 1 and 2, which are less than 10 per cent of the floor area of the storey on which they are located are exempted by Article 3.1.3.5. from being considered as major occupancies for the purposes of Subsection 3.2.2.,Building Size and Construction Relative to Occupancy.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the spray finishing operation does not constitute a Group F Division 1 major occupancy but is only a subsidiary operation to the Group F Division 2 woodworking shop. In the appellants opinion it is not the intent of Article 3.1.3.5. to include subsidiary occupancies as major occupancies even if they are Group F Division 1 or 2. An occupancy classification assigned by the Code must contemplate a certain amount of typical hazards ordinarily found in an occupancy, otherwise the presence of any hazardous material or process could affect the classification of the entire occupancy or building.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that Article 3.1.3.5. requires a Group F Division 1 or 2 occupancy to be considered as a major occupancy regardless of the percentage of the floor area it occupies. The official notes that a subsidiary occupancy is not clearly defined and in this case feels the spray finishing operation is more than a minor use and has classed it as a major occupancy.

Appeal Board Decision #1362

It is the determination of the Board that the Group F Division 1 spray finishing room in this instance is subsidiary to the Group F Division 2 major occupancy woodworking facility. Article 3.1.3.5. refers to major occupancies so is not applicable to the Group F Division 1 spray finishing room because it is not a major occupancy. The percentage of space occupied by an occupancy is not the only deciding factor in determining whether or a not such an occupancy is subsidiary or major.

George R. Humphrey, Chair