Key Project Terms: Mercantile, Business and Place of Assembly - Buildings

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Acronym Glossary

Find Building Data

Construction in My Neighborhood

Forms & Applications

Research Construction Professionals

Project Guidelines

Get Job Status Updates

Check an After-Hour Variance

File a Complaint

Resolve a Summons or Violation

Register for eFiling

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Key Project Terms: Mercantile, Business and Place of Assembly (Renovations)

The following is a list of useful terms to use when researching additional Manufacturing information on each of the topics discussed:

Accessibility

The design and construction of buildings for accessibility and use by persons with physical disabilities, complying with the Federal Housing Authority (HUD) , BC Chapter 11 and ICC/ANSI A117.1.

Building Systems Work

The installation, modification, or upgrade of existing building systems; including plumbing, boiler, sprinkler, standpipe, fire alarm, HVAC, and fire suppression systems; these repairs must be included in the scope of work of the project.

Business

Business occupancy classifications typically include public, civic, and professional offices, banks and service-oriented establishments such as dry cleaning/laundry or barber/beauty shops, ambulatory health care facilities, animal hospitals and kennels, educational occupancies for students above the 12th grade, nonproduction laboratories, public libraries, motor vehicle showrooms.

In addition, a building space used for any ‘Assembly’ occupancy classification, as outlined in BC 303.1, with an occupant load of fewer than 75 persons is classified as a Business Occupancy. For example, a restaurant with less than 75 people is a Business Occupancy while a restaurant with 75 or more people would be an Assembly Occupancy.

Certificate of Occupancy

Certificate of Occupancy (final) is issued for a building on completion of a project involving a change in occupancy or use, or when there are other changes that impact the existing Certificate of Occupancy. For more information see Reference AC 28-118.2.

A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued for a limited duration of time, provided that the subject portion or portions of the building may be occupied and maintained in a manner that will not endanger public safety, health, or welfare. The Commissioner shall set a time period during which the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is valid.

Elevation in Flood Zones

Elevating a building to ensure that lowest occupied floor is above the flood levels per FEMA flood maps and as described in BC Appendix G and ZR Article VI, Chapter 4.

Layout Changes

Changes to floor layouts that add, relocate, remodel, enlarge or reduce the size of interior spaces while maintaining the same building envelope.

Lot Line Windows

Exterior wall windows located on the side or rear property, zoning or tax lot lines. Depending on building type and building construction class, lot line windows require special code compliance review to determine the allowable window sizes, quantity, and fire protection needed.

Mercantile

Mercantile occupancy classifications are generally for the display and sale of merchandise to the public, and their incidental stock of merchandise, and typically include department stores, markets, retail or wholesale stores, malls, gas stations, etc.

Mixed Building

Per ZR 12-10, a mixed building is a building used partly for residential use and partly for community facility and/or commercial use, but not manufacturing.

Mixed Use/Mixed Occupancy

Per the Building Code, a building with a mixed use would contain two or more occupancy classifications.

Place of Assembly

Place of Assembly occupancy classifications are for the gathering of any persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, awaiting transportation, or similar group activities, when occupied by 75 persons or more. A Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation is required.

Partial Demolition

Maintaining the same building envelope, any construction that involves the removal, replacement or repair of load bearing and/or non-load bearing interior partitions, changes to structural elements (interior or exterior), and facade changes or other upgrades.

Renovation

Changes to an existing building, including the remodeling or replacing of outdated or damaged structure and materials, and the partial demolition of interior partitions; building renovations can also include the installation or replacement of building systems, devices or equipment, materials or parts, as part of regular maintenance of the building. Renovation projects do not impact the existing means of egress, do not change the use of the building or space, and do not increase the occupant load.

Use

The purpose for which a building, structure, building area/space or open tract of land is designed, arranged maintained or occupied.

Use Group

The Use Group is based on the “use,” as defined in ZR section 12-10, which is any purpose for which a building or other structure, or an open tract of land, may be designed, arranged, intended, maintained or occupied; furthermore the use is any activity, occupation, business or operation carried on, or intended to be carried on.

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