2008 Occupancy Group Classifications

Below is a list comparing the 1968 Building Code Occupancy Group Classifications to those of the new NYC Construction Codes

The 1968 Code classified Occupancies in decending order from higher to lower hazard in terms of Life Safety. The 2008 Code classifies Occupancies according to logical reference, where the Occupancy Group Letter matches the Description (ex: R=Residential)

1968 Code -->2008 Code

A-High Hazard-->H-High Hazard (H-1 thru H-5)

B-Storage-->S-Storage (S-1 & S-2)

C-Mercantile-->M-Mercantile-Display and Sale of Merchandise

D-Industrial-->F-Factory and Industrial (F-1 & F-2)

E-Business-->B-Business (Office, Professional, Service-type transaction, Public or Civic Services)

F-Assembly-->A-Assembly (A-1 thru A-5)

G-Education-->E-Educational (5 or more persons)

H-Institutional-->I-Institutional (I-1 thru I-4)

J-Residential-->R-Residential (R-1 thru R-3)

K-Miscellaneous-->U-Utility and Miscellaneous (Accessory Structures or not classified in any specific occupancy)



Description of 2008 Sub-Occupancies:



Assembly:
A-1=Assembly with Fixed seating, intended for production and viewing of the Performance Arts or Motion Pictures.
A-2=Food and/or Drink Consumption.
A-3=Worship, Recreation or Amusement (Physically active), and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group A.
A-4=Indoor Sporting Events with Spectator Seating.
A-5=Participation in or viewing Outdoor Activities.


Factory and Industrial (F):
F-1=Moderate Hazard.
F-2=Involves Non-Combustible, Non-Flammable Materials, or Low-Hazard Production.

High Hazard (H):
H-1=Materials that present a Detonation Hazard.
H-2=Uses Present a Deflagration Hazard or a Hazard from Accelerated Burning.
H-3=Materials that readily support combustion or present a Physical Hazard.
H-4=Materials that are Health Hazards.
H-5=Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities using excessive Hazardous Production Materials (HPM) in excess of the permitted aggregate quantity.


Institutional (I):
I-1=Housing persons, on a 24-hour basis, capable of self-preservation and responding to an emergency situation without physical assistance from staff.
I-2=Medical, Surgical, Nursing, or Custodial Care, on a 24-hour basis, of more than 3 persons who are not capable of self-preservation or responding to an emergency situation without physical assistance from staff.
I-3=More than 5 persons who are detained under restraint or for security reasons.
I-4=Day Care Facilities occupied by persons of any age who receive custodial care (without overnight) by individuals other than parents, guardians, or relatives in a place other than home.


Residential (R):
R-1=Residences occupied Transiently (for less than 1 Month).
R-2=Residences containing more than 2 Dwelling Units and occupied on a Long term basis (for a month or more).
R-3=Residences containing not more than 2 Dwelling Units and occupied on a Long term basis (for a month or more).


Storage (S):
S-1=Moderate Hazard Storage Occupancy for any Flammable or Combustible Materials.
S-2=Low Hazard Storage Occupancy for Non-Combustible Materials.


This list is for informational purposes only. Refer to the 2008 Code Text for the official reading.

Also see the DOB Fact Sheet



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